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Hyderabad to Brussels – Dream Comes True for a Human Rights Activist

Samarendra Patra for BeyondHeadlines

The author, a Human Rights activist and the World Poetry Youth Poet Ambassador to India, recalls his trip to Brussels as youth delegate for the 10th Annual International Human Rights Summit. In his speech at the summit, he addressed how technology along with an inclination towards society can restore Human Rights in the society, which is gripped with major problems such as materialism, poverty and terrorism.

July 22, 2013 has been imprinted in my mind forever. This day is special for two reasons. Firstly, I delivered my poetry reading in front of Shri. Kiran Reddy, Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at the secretariat, and secondly, my Gmail had a letter of invitation which came from Dr. Mary Shuttle worth.  Upon downloading it, I discovered that it carried my name as a youth delegate for the 10th Annual International Human Rights Summit. I hoped around with joy. The destination: Brussels added more colours to my happiness.

I was the only Indian to get this coveted letter of invitation along with a scholarship letter .2 days later, articles on me appeared on the pages of dailies such as The Hindu, The telegraph, Orissa Diary, and  The New Indian Express . I was touched. My heart got swelled up with pride.

I never had an inclination towards History, Geography and Mathematics during my school days. But after the letter, I started falling for all these subjects.  I quickly browsed the Google and collected additional information about Brussels, its historical places and calculated the time difference. Most importantly, I was informed that I would be in the company of youth delegates who would come from more than 40 countries.

Samarendra PatraNalco, Asia’s largest Aluminium Complex, readily accepted my request to bear my travelling expenses. Before flying off to Brussels, I got to meet Dr. Kiran Bedi in New Delhi. She blessed me and wished me best for the event.  On Sept 5, at the Brussels International airport, I was welcomed by the representatives of the concerned organisation. The temperature there was low. The cool breeze kissed me hard.  I was taken to the youth hostel wherein I was welcomed in a grandeur manner.  My roomies were from Sri Lanka, Russia, and Liberia. In no point of time, I got completely connected with them. They all had praises for India, its culture, and cuisines. I was continuously gleaming with happiness. The sun was about to set down. Simultaneously, the hostel was slowly getting filled up with young and promising voices.

The day which I waited for the entire month was about to see the daylight in few hours. I always had a dream to represent India at an International level. My dream was just a few miles away. India is a home to billions and one needs high confidence to represent such a huge mass for a prestigious international summit. I was slightly nervous. I equally missed my parents. Meanwhile, I forgot to take a note of earth’s rotation.

The new morning had taken birth already. We were instructed to report at the breakfast room at 8am. I never stopped saying Namaste to whomsoever I was meeting at the table. We were taken to the international auditorium where the summit was destined to take place. I got my golden sash which had the letters of India boldly written. I felt very proud when I saw the Tricolour in the company of flags of 40 other countries. Everyone inside the auditorium was gleaming with a feeling of content and happiness.

The auditorium had Scholars, Human Rights activists, Embassies, Professors, doctors, teachers and students from various countries. Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, President of Youth for Human Rights International welcomed all the delegates with a great zest.  There was a continuous applause from the audience. Each one of us was allotted 10 mins to speak on Human Rights. Being a techie, I spoke how technology along with an inclination towards society can restore Human Rights in our society.

Our society is gripped with major problems such as materialism, poverty, and terrorism. After the World War-II, the 30 Human Rights as declared by the United Nations came into inception.  But these rights just stay printed on books. We hardly take any pain to understand the importance of these rights. I also focussed and spot light on many other issues in my speech.  The officials of United Nations appreciated my thought and thinking. The slide-show presentations of other fellow delegates on how effectively they restored human rights in their localities were worth watching at.

 The next day comprised many workshops and we were taught on how we can promote Human Rights in our country by being the advocates of tolerance and peace. The last day was well spent shouting slogans of peace in the streets of Brussels, posing for a group photo, local sight-seeing, and an informal dinner.

In a short span of time, I got to meet many people there which resulted in broadening the horizon of my knowledge. Being the only Indian at the summit, I proudly waved high my country flag in front of many people. I got my dream of representing our country fulfilled.

 In the words of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:

“Dream, Dream, and Dream

Dream results in thoughts

Thoughts give rise to actions”.

Jai Hind!

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