Geneva: Grassroots development in India highlighted at UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, March 24
At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Hansraj Singh, Strategic & Partnership Officer of Sambhali Trust, underscored India's growing impact in advancing human rights through grassroots initiatives.
Delivering an oral statement, Hansraj welcomed the adoption of outcomes under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), describing it as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue, cooperation, and inclusive progress among nations.
Highlighting India's efforts, Singh pointed to the country's expanding focus on education, women's empowerment, and skill development at the community level. He noted that locally driven initiatives -- particularly in vocational training and women's empowerment -- are generating sustainable livelihoods and enabling long-term social transformation.
Drawing from the work of Sambhali Trust, he emphasized that India's community-based models demonstrate how global human rights commitments can be translated into tangible action on the ground.
These initiatives, he said, are playing a vital role in building inclusive societies by improving access to education, dignity, and economic independence.
He also called for stronger collaboration between governments and civil society, along with continued knowledge sharing and capacity-building efforts to amplify the global impact of human rights programmes.
Reaffirming the organization's commitment, Singh stated that Sambhali Trust will continue to work towards inclusive and sustainable development, with India emerging as a strong example of grassroots-driven progress on the global stage.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the intent is good, I hope this talk in Geneva translates to more funding and support on the ground. Many NGOs struggle with resources. The government needs to walk the talk and simplify partnerships.
As someone who has volunteered with similar initiatives in Rajasthan, the focus on women's empowerment and vocational training is key. It's not just about rights on paper, but about creating economic independence. Great to see this highlighted.
Absolutely. When women in a village learn a skill and start earning, the whole family's future changes. This is sustainable development. More power to all the field workers making this happen!
With respect, I feel the article only shows one side. For every successful story, there are many villages still waiting for basic education access. The UN platform is good, but we must also acknowledge the scale of the challenge that remains.
Collaboration between govt and civil society is the magic word. Schemes are there, but implementation at the last mile is where NGOs excel. Hope this leads to more formal partnerships and less red tape.
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