Rights Education in West Bengal

Human Rights Education

Along with protesting against violation of human rights, MASUM, since its inception has been trying to connect with various sections of society, particularly the marginalized ones, and generate in them an awareness of rights. With this end in view, MASUM has organized workshops in different areas in Hooghly, Medinipur, Murshidabad, North and South 24 Parganas to interact with the people on the rights issue. MASUM believes that Human Rights (HR) campaign should not be confined to protests and demonstrations only. HR should be a part of our culture, our outlook on life.

Against this background, at the invitation of People's Watch - Tamil Nadu (PW-TN), MASUM took part in a convention at Madurai during 4-5 April this year. PW- TN has been working in Human Rights education over the last six years and has set an example in India by introducing Human Rights as a subject in a sizeable number of secondary schools in Tamilnadu. It was decided at the convention that PW-TN's attempt would be extended to ten other states and MASUM was selected for the task in West Bengal.

Bengali Module

The primary draft of the module was given final shape after necessary changes and modifications suggested by over 100 teachers and some concerned organizations in a two- day workshop inaugurated by Prof. Poramesh Acharya during 11-12 June in Kolkata. MASUM is thankful to them all Special thanks are due to a number of persons for their valuable comments. Though MASUM have not been able to accommodate all the suggestions in this part, but considering to take them into account while preparing the subsequent volumes.

Already 25-30 schools have already shown their interest in introducing human rights education in their schools in West Bengal. Dialogues and persuasion are in continuance

The Song

Kallol Dasgupta, a poet, lyricist, singer and Vice President of MASUM has composed and sung a beautiful song on Human Rights Education. Though he sung it in a particular tune composed by him but it can be sung in any tune.

Long time back
I started learning
From the University
Of the Universe
Learning how to lead
A whole full life
And make good friends
From unknown face
And learning how to
Undo myself
Immerging into
A better human

We also learn
In the classrooms
Of Schools & Colleges
And Universities
Learning Maths & Science
And Economics
And Geography
And a little History
Learning Competition
And how to Win
And that Progress means
Just Prosperity

Let's start it again
Let's start learning
From the University
Of the Universe
Learn how to make
A bridge across
The river of pain
That flows thru your heart
Learn how to live
A joyful life
With humanity
And respect to ALL

- Kallol Dasgupta