Human civilization has developed from the pre-historic times to the modern day society, which is a very complex system of co-existence of human-beings. This complexity has led to a system of rights and duties, rules and regulations for a peaceful social order. Gradually the human race has grown out of the clutches of anarchy and despotism towards a more progressive philosophy of governance based on democracy and socialism. With this change has arisen the concept of rights of human beings.

In today’s new social order with immense economic and technological progress human beings are the most precious resource available on the earth. The power of the human brain has the capacity to perform miracles, therefore human beings and their rights are a global concern today. The rights of human beings have to be protected; therefore several organizations and commissions are working towards the safeguarding of human rights.

Our Indian constitution envisages the fundamental rights of every citizen in the constitution. In case of violation, remedies are available from the legal jurisprudence. Despite immense awareness about human rights, there are segments of the society which still need protection of their rights. Such segments are children of the under privileged families. We must strive to work towards promoting the rights of children by providing them food, shelter, education and making them self-reliant by giving them vocational training. There are policies and programs existing at national and international levels, but it has to begin at the very root. Every ordinary person should, in his neighbourhood, reach out to a child who is exploited at a very tender age and deprived of his rights. Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu has said; “each one of us can make a difference on an intimate, personal level”. It is true that “nothing can be politically right if it is morally wrong and no necessity can ever sanctify a law which is contrary to equity”.

The children of today are the citizens of tomorrow. If we protect their human rights at a small age, we will instill in them immense respect for freedom and duty; and by the power of reciprocity they will promote human rights and affirm their values.