Bhubaneswar: Improving access to quality education for disadvantaged children and strengthening cooperation on human rights initiatives figured prominently at an interaction between the executive board of the Citizens’ Human Rights Clinic (CHRC), Odisha, and representatives of the Delhi-based Schumacher Society here on October 15.
Schumacher Society chairman Prof Dushmanta Giri, a former Professor of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and an eminent writer, attended the meeting along with the organisation’s director, Susan. The discussion centred on educational inequality, foundational learning, governance and the empowerment of marginalised communities.
Addressing the gathering, Giri said the presence of premier educational institutions in major Indian cities had not ensured equitable access to quality education. The urban poor, slum dwellers, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other socio-economically disadvantaged groups continued to encounter significant structural barriers, he observed.
He described the persistence of such educational inequality as a serious human rights concern. His remarks drew attention to the gap between the availability of institutions and the opportunities accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The discussion placed educational access within the broader concerns of dignity, equality and social empowerment.
Outlining the Schumacher Society’s approach, Giri said the organisation sought to empower students from the most disadvantaged sections through quality education and wider opportunities. He expressed willingness to explore a partnership with CHRC to undertake similar initiatives in Odisha.
Giri laid particular emphasis on foundational learning, stating that a strong educational base was essential for students to advance confidently in their studies and prepare for future careers. His proposal brought the educational needs of disadvantaged students into focus as a potential area of cooperation between the two organisations.
Responding to the proposal, CHRC chairman Dr Gopabandhu Mallick, IPS (Retd), said the Clinic was committed to promoting and protecting human rights, preserving ecology and the environment, and empowering poor and marginalised communities.
He assured Giri of CHRC’s support in pursuing such initiatives in Odisha. His response indicated the organisation’s willingness to carry forward discussions on educational support within its wider commitment to social justice and the welfare of vulnerable sections.
CHRC advisor Prof Niranjan Barik highlighted the organisation’s achievements in addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges. He also outlined its work in extending legal assistance to victims of human rights violations, drawing attention to the role of legal support in helping affected people seek remedies.
Barik’s presentation provided the visiting representatives with an account of the Clinic’s existing areas of engagement. The exchange connected the proposed educational initiative with CHRC’s broader work on the difficulties faced by disadvantaged communities and people seeking protection of their rights.
During the interaction, Dr Manoranjan Dash raised fundamental questions concerning governance and its implications for human rights. His intervention widened the discussion beyond educational access to the relationship between governance and the protection of rights.
Others who spoke included Prof JK Mohanta, Nrusingha Nath Nanda and Dr Sarat Chandra Behera. They highlighted various human rights issues and challenges, contributing to the exchange between the CHRC executive board and the visiting representatives.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the two organisations to discuss shared concerns and examine the possibility of working together in Odisha. The proposed partnership remained exploratory, with the interaction focusing on educational opportunity, foundational learning and support for disadvantaged students.
The discussion also brought together CHRC’s experience in human rights, legal assistance and environmental concerns with the Schumacher Society’s stated educational objectives.
Mohanta proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to Giri, Susan and the participants for their contributions. He acknowledged their role in making the interaction meaningful and thanked the visiting representatives for sharing their perspectives with the CHRC executive board.
