On eve of World Human Rights day, I had an intense conversation about this years theme - Dignity, Freedom and Justice for all.

What do these three things mean- for you and me, for the world. Is it achievable or too Utopic ? Is even asking this question reflecting our mindset.

Spoke to Shobha Gupta famous Supreme Court lawyer- fiercely optimist and hopeful that educating/empowering people about rights will ensure not only Dignity but Freedom and justice as well.

It’s all about changing the mindset.

Human rights are not only about the violations in the name of region, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. While they are important it’s also our right to exist, live and survive everyday.

Our right to breathe fresh air, have cleaner environment, better healthcare, good sanitation, quality education. Right to chose who we are, who to love, who to marry. Right to get education of your choice, right to chose a career.

Everyone is entitled to these rights regardless of race, colour, sex, language, gender, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical location, religion, political or other opinion, nationality or social origin, property, socioeconomic status. 

We still have a very long way to go. There are some people in the world who don’t have access to water.

Read somewhere that almost two thirds of the world's population - experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. Over two billion people live in countries where water supply is inadequate. By 2040, roughly 1 in 4 children worldwide will be living in areas of extremely high water stress.

This I feel is the highest form of violation.

Ms Gupta says information is empowerment. “When every person will be aware of his/her/ their rights, that will be the first step in empowerment. Rest will follow”, she says.

We need to stress on universality of human rights, we need to assert availability of our human rights.

We need to find an energy that empowers and fuels people of this world particularly the young to educate, empower and assert their right, as humans.