Internship Experience with NCPCR – Ayush Dumka, SLFJPS, NFSU, Gandhinagar
Internship Experience with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
- Ayush Dumka, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar
“Children are the future of our nation and their well-being should be of paramount importance to all of us. Protecting their rights is not only a moral imperative but also crucial for the development and progress of our society”.
As a law student, my passion for social justice and human rights has always been an integral part of my identity. The desire to make a positive impact on society and to advocate for the rights of vulnerable individuals and groups has been the driving force behind my academic and professional pursuits. One of the organizations that I have always been particularly drawn to is the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). As a statutory body established under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 in India, NCPCR plays a crucial role in ensuring that the rights of children are protected and promoted in the country. It is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of laws and policies related to children and for addressing complaints and issues related to child rights violations.
I was particularly inspired to intern at the NCPCR because of a personal experience I had while volunteering at a children\'s home. I was struck by the harsh realities that many children face, including poverty, abuse, and neglect. This experience made me realize just how important it is to ensure that the rights of all children are protected and that they are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. During my time at the children\'s home, I also had the opportunity to interact with the children and learn about their struggles and aspirations. Their stories and experiences had a profound impact on me, and I was struck by their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. I was also touched by their optimism and hope for the future, despite the challenges they had faced. These experiences solidified my commitment to working towards a world where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential and to live a life free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Interning with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is an unparalleled opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the field of child rights and child protection. I had the privilege of interning with NCPCR for a period of two months. During the first month of my internship, I was assigned to the Health division of the commission. One of my main responsibilities during the internship was to assist in drafting reminder letters, showcause notices, and analysis of the Action Taken Reports (ATR) submitted by the states and union territories. This involved reviewing and analyzing the data submitted by the states and union territories on various child health and nutrition programs, and identifying areas where improvements were needed.
I also had the opportunity to participate in a rescue operation conducted by the commission during the month of June (2022) as part of the elimination of child labour week to observe World Day against Child Labour. The operation was aimed at rescuing children who were being subjected to abuse and exploitation in various parts of the country. The operation was conducted in collaboration with various government agencies, NGOs, C.W.C. and other organizations working in the field of child rights.
The rescue operation began with a series of investigations conducted by the commission\'s field officers. Based on the information gathered during the investigations, the commission\'s rescue team was deployed to various locations to rescue the children. I was part of a team that was responsible for conducting rescue raids in different parts of Delhi-NCR. The team had to navigate through difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions to reach the children. The children rescued during the operation were produced before the Child Welfare committee, where they were provided with basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medical care. There were 75 places across the country where this rescue mission was executed successfully and many children were rescued from abuse and exploitation. However, the operation also highlighted the scale of the problem of child abuse and exploitation in India. It was a sobering reminder of the need for continued efforts to protect the rights of children in the country.
The experience of participating in a rescue operation was an unforgettable one. It was a challenging and demanding experience, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of the commission\'s efforts to protect the rights of children in India. I also had the opportunity to interact with the children rescued during the operation and to see the positive impact that the commission\'s work was having on their lives.
During the second month of my internship, I worked with the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) division in NCPCR. One of my main responsibilities during the internship was to assist in the analysis of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) crime report. This involved reviewing and analyzing data on child sexual abuse cases reported across the country, identifying trends and patterns, and providing recommendations for improvement. This was a challenging task as it required attention to detail and the ability to analyze large amounts of data, but it was also very rewarding as I was able to gain insights into the extent of child sexual abuse in the country and the areas where the most improvement was needed.
Another important aspect of my internship was to conduct case studies on age of consent. This included researching and analyzing the laws and policies related to age of consent in different countries and identifying best practices and areas where improvements were needed. Additionally, I was also involved in research on the procedures for dealing with cases of child marriages, specifically looking into the laws and procedures followed by various states in India and identifying areas where improvements were needed.
Through my internship, I gained a deeper understanding of the issues related to child rights and child protection in India and the role of statutory bodies in addressing these issues. I also learned about the Indian legal system and how it relates to child rights. Additionally, I had the opportunity to network with professionals working in the field of child rights and to learn from their experiences.
Overall, my internship experience with NCPCR was an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience. It provided me with a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by children in India and the efforts being made to protect their rights. It was an honour to be a part of such an important cause, and I believe that my experience with NCPCR will be beneficial for my future career in the field of child rights and child protection. It is important that government organizations like the NCPCR, along with civil society, work together to ensure that children\'s rights are respected and upheld. As a law student, I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to contribute to the protection and promotion of child rights in India. I would highly recommend an internship with NCPCR to anyone interested in gaining hands-on experience in this field.
