Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law organized ENSAYO 2011- South Asian Essay Writing Competition on International Humanitarian Law, in collaboration with the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC). ENSAYO was started 3 years ago and this year it was open for the countries of South Asia where the students had to write on the Legal and Social Aspects of Health Care during Armed Conflict. Prize Distribution for the same was organized on August 26 2011 in the premises of RGNUL and the ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.K. Jain (Retd.) of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Brig. General Mr. William Bowie, Armed Forces Delegate, International Committee of the Red Cross, Regional Delegation, New Delhi and Dr. Sanoj Rajan, Academic Progranne Responsible, International Committee of the Red Cros, Regional Delegation, New Delhi.Prof. (Dr.) Paramjit S. Jaswal, Vice Chancellor of RGNUL, Punjab, Patiala welcomed the distinguished guests and stated how ENSAYO has grown across three years. He also congratulated the Organizing Committee on successful organization of the competition. He thanked the guests for accepting the invitation to attend the conference. He also further congratulated the participants, winners and organizers for making ENSAYO a success. He stated that the essays submitted for the event was evaluated by a very High level International Jury to ensure the best evaluation. He stated about the need to know about the right to life and security which is violated at various levels. The security of civilian population in armed conflicts is a matter of international concern. To conclude he stated that the best way to stop violation would be to educate people about the topic.
Brig. General Mr. William Bowie, Armed Forces Delegate, ICRC, New Delhi, enumerated the Mission of ICRC which is to protect and assist civilian and military victims of armed conflict on a strictly neutral basis. He stated that in 2008, they started a project on ICRC how violence and armed conflict affected medical facilities. He stated that ICRC would continue to support ENSAYO and all future ventures of RGNUL.
Mr. Sanoj Rajan from ICRC congratulated the family of RGNUL on the successful organisation of the competition and stated why ICRC is interested in International Humanitarian Law. He justified that ICRC was there at the beginning of modern International Humanitarian Law and that the work of ICRC would be half done if the international humanitarian laws are known.
Ishupal Kang , a 5th Year student of RGNUL, Patiala on behalf of RGNUL stated the achievements of Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Law (CASH) of the University. He said that three moot court competitions have been organised by the centre. Further, training of trainers in International Humanitarian Law was also conducted by the Centre. He further stressed that in its 3rd year ENSAYO has become an international competition and more than 100 entries were received.
The main attraction of the function was the prize distribution ceremony. Sahana Pal from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, the winner of ENSAYO was awarded the Henry Dunant Award of Rs. 25,000/- while the 2nd and the 3rd Position winners, i.e. Nandita Batra from UILS, Panjab University and Piyush Khanna from RGNUL, Punjab won Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 10,000/- respectively along with the Certificates of Merit. The Best Foreign Entry award was given to Ms. Shraddha Atreya, Kathmandu.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.K. Jain (Retd.), of Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Chief Guest of the event while addressing the gathering noted the need to provide healthcare to combatants. He praised the University and the Vice-Chancellor for the conduct of the competition. He also praised the Hon’ble Vice- Chancellor for starting a special committee on Humanitarian Law.
Mr. G.I.S. Sandhu, Hon’ble Registrar of RGNUL, Punjab while presenting the Vote of Thanks, acknowledged the presence of the Hon’ble Guests and stated that the students were lucky to hear the views of such Hon’ble personalities. He further thanked all those who made the event successful. He went on to state that CASH has become an integral part while conducting ICRC events. He also thanked the whole RGNUL facility for participation and making it a successful event.