Statement of Purpose for the NHRC Internship
My journey with human rights law began during the Henry Dunant IHL Moot Court
Competition, where I confronted complex questions of human dignity amidst conflict. This
experience, complemented by my selection for the International Bar Association ICC Moot
Court Competition, transformed what was initially an academic interest into a profound personal
conviction. These platforms exposed me to international human rights frameworks and their
critical role in protecting fundamental freedoms. I am now eager to apply to India’s foremost
human rights institution.
My internship experiences with the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority revealed a
stark reality about the gap between constitutional guarantees and the lived experiences of
marginalized communities. While visiting various welfare institutions, from One Stop Centres to
juvenile justice facilities, I witnessed both the transformative potential of rights-based
interventions and the devastating consequences of their absence. This fueled my determination to
bridge this divide through meaningful work at the intersection of legal advocacy and community
empowerment.
The National Human Rights Commission represents the ideal environment to pursue this
mission. Through this internship, I seek to understand the Commission’s complaint mechanism,
investigation procedures, and intervention strategies while contributing meaningfully to ongoing
projects. My prior experience in legal research at Lex Assisto Media and Publications, where I
analyzed contemporary socio-legal challenges, has prepared me to assist with the substantive
research needs of the Commission.
Beyond professional development, this opportunity aligns with my long-term aspiration to serve
as a civil servant. I believe that understanding human rights challenges at “ground zero” through
the National Human Rights Commission’s work will provide an invaluable perspective that
theoretical learning cannot replicate. This frontline experience with state accountability
mechanisms will equip me with the nuanced understanding necessary for effective public service
leadership.
What drives me ultimately is not abstract idealism but the tangible impact of rights awareness.
During my volunteer work with Hamari Pehchan NGO, I observed how legal literacy could
transform a person from a passive recipient to an active rights-holder. I seek to multiply this
empowerment through NHRC’s broader platform, contributing to a culture where rights are not
merely enshrined in documents but realized in daily life.
Through this internship, I hope to both learn and contribute, bringing my academic training and
advocacy experience to an institution that stands as India’s sentinel of human dignity.
My journey with human rights law began during the Henry Dunant International Humanitarian
Law Moot Court Competition, where I engaged with complex questions of human dignity amid
conflict. This experience, along with my selection for the IBA ICC Moot Court, transformed an
academic interest into a personal conviction. These platforms deepened my understanding of
international human rights frameworks and their role in protecting fundamental freedoms. I now
seek to further this commitment through an internship with India’s foremost human rights
institution.
During my internship with the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, I observed the
gap between constitutional rights and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Site
visits to One Stop Centres and juvenile justice homes revealed both the power of rights-based
interventions and the cost of their absence. This experience sharpened my resolve to work at the
intersection of legal advocacy and community empowerment.
The National Human Rights Commission offers an ideal environment to deepen this engagement.
I aim to understand its complaint redressal, investigation procedures, and intervention strategies
while contributing to ongoing projects. My legal research experience at Lex Assisto Media and
Publications, where I analyzed socio-legal challenges, equips me to support the Commission’s
work.
This internship aligns with my aligns with my aspiration to become a civil servant. Exposure to
human rights work at the ground level will offer insights into state accountability that academic
learning alone cannot provide.
What ultimately drives me is not abstract idealism, but the real-world impact of rights awareness.
My volunteer work with Hamari Pehchan NGO showed me how legal literacy can transform
lives. I hope to amplify this impact through NHRC’s platform, helping make rights a lived reality
for all.
