Internship Experience @ State Human Rights Commission, Chennai

This Internship Experience has been submitted by Sainikitha.OL.

Name

Sainikitha OL

Name of the College

The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, School of Excellence in Law

Name of the Organisation

State Human Rights Commission, Tamil Nadu

Duration of Internship

22.07.2025 to 09.08.2024

How did you Apply?

I applied by directly approaching the office, located near the Greenways Road railway station, along with a batch of five students. It is generally preferable to apply in batches.

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

We reached the office around 10:00 a.m. and waited briefly until all the interns had arrived. Once assembled, we were taken to meet the Chairperson of the Commission. During our interaction, he spoke about the pivotal role of the State Human Rights Commission and addressed each of us individually, offering guidance and setting expectations for the internship.

Following this, we had the opportunity to meet the Registrar of the Commission, who kindly distributed copies of the Protection of Human Rights Act (Bare Act) to each intern and explained several key provisions, highlighting those most frequently applied in practice.

The office infrastructure was well-maintained and functional. My first impression was that the Commission operates with a high standard of professionalism, where every individual is expected to perform their duties with the utmost diligence and integrity.

Main Tasks

On the first day of the internship, we were divided into small groups of two or three and assigned to work under various authorities within the Commission. I was placed under the supervision of the Registrar. Since the Registrar was often occupied with official responsibilities, I primarily worked under the guidance of his assistant.

Our main task involved reviewing the status of pending and disposed cases from previous years. By the end of the internship period, we had successfully reviewed files up to the year 2019. This exercise gave me a deeper understanding of how case files are maintained and monitored within the Commission.

During my time at the Commission, I also had the opportunity to read and analyze various human rights violation cases, which provided practical insights into the crucial role played by the State Human Rights Commission in safeguarding civil liberties. Other interns were assigned to assist in different wings of the Commission.

Work Environment

The overall work environment at the Commission was positive and conducive to learning. Interns were required to bring their own laptops to carry out the assigned tasks and were provided with a designated room to work.

The infrastructure was well-maintained and supportive of our needs. The building had functional lifts that ensured easy access to different floors, and the library was made available to interns for reference and research purposes. Additionally, the auditorium was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate both interns and staff members during meetings and events.

Good Things about the Internship

The Commission frequently organizes programs for the benefit of both students and staff members. During our internship, we had the opportunity to attend a wellness program conducted by a team of doctors, where we participated in light physical exercises. The doctors also carried out general health check-ups for both staff members and student interns.

The Chairperson actively encouraged us to make use of the library and engage with books to broaden our understanding of human rights issues and legal principles. The authorities at the Commission were approachable, friendly, and supportive, creating an environment that was both professional and welcoming.

Bad Things about the Internship

While the internship was overall a valuable and enriching experience, there were moments when the nature of the work felt somewhat monotonous, particularly during tasks involving repetitive case status reviews.
Nevertheless, the supportive environment and the occasional interactive programs helped maintain a balanced and engaging experience throughout the internship.

Monthly Stipend

No stipend was provided during the course of the internship. However, the experience offered valuable exposure to the functioning of the State Human Rights Commission and contributed significantly to our academic and professional development.

Details about the Accommodation, Commuting to the Office

As a resident of Chennai, I commuted daily to the Commission by train. The office is conveniently located within walking distance of the Greenways Road railway station, ensuring easy accessibility. For outstation interns, several PG accommodations are available in the vicinity, making it a practical choice for stay.

Anything else you want to share?

To unwind and refresh during the day, we had tea breaks twice daily, which provided a great opportunity to interact with fellow interns and share experiences.

Occasionally, we also engaged in casual conversations with the staff, who were approachable and friendly, making the work environment more relaxed and welcoming.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to attend court proceedings on two occasions, where we observed the procedural aspects and listened to the hearing of cases.

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