The world will witness the end of yet another calendar year. It’s the time to look back and reflect upon the past year, relish the accomplishments, learn from the mistakes and set novel goals to move forward. Here is another issue of Aura with an array of engrossing topics to ponder upon.

In December, the international community observes Human Rights Day. Although a vast framework is employed for human rights protection in the form of legislation, treaties, programs and support systems, the incidents of gross human rights violations remain alarmingly high. While the human rights violators often go scot-free, the defenders of human rights end up in custody. An empathetic approach by individuals, institutions and state authorities towards human rights protection is the need of the hour. December also reminds us of the horrific Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. 38 years down the lane the agony of the affected continues due to the sheer insensitivity of a nation as a whole. This issue of Aura touches on the importance of human rights protection, unfolds the gruesome Devadasi system and gives an account of the ongoing sufferings of the victims of the Bhopal gas disaster. Our contributors have profoundly written about AIDS – protection and rehabilitation to mark World AIDS Day. The thought-provoking interviews give insights into the recent developments regarding EWS and NEP.

The Children’s Section of Aura has an interesting addition now. Our young readers will be given a quiz to solve and the first five correct answers will stand a chance to be featured in our next issue.

While talking about human rights, inauguration of the FIFA World Cup Tournament is worth mentioning. The spectacular event opened with a conversation between the veteran American actor Morgan Freeman and Ghanim al Muftah, a 20-year-old physically-challenged Qatari Youtuber, who is also a FIFA ambassador. When Freeman started off by saying “we all gather here in one big tribe….” Ghanim Al Muftah presented the Holy Qur’an’s concept of equality and universal brotherhood of mankind to the world with a beautiful verse that says: “O, people! We created you from a male and a female, and We made you races and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. The best among you in the eyes of God is the best in conscience.” Holy Qur’an 49:13