New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind said on Friday that Human Rights Day provides everyone with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a human being and our responsibility in promoting humanity's basic dignity. President Ram Nath Kovind, speaking at the Human Rights Day events in New Delhi today, said that our rights are a shared duty and that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lays forth a set of rights and freedoms to which every human being is entitled. The theme of this year's Human Rights Day, is 'Equality.' He said. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," he stated, citing Article 1 of the Universal Declaration. According to him, equality is the fundamental essence of human rights. "While the fundamental criterion for total regard for human dignity is the absence of discrimination, the world is riddled with prejudices. They, sadly, obstruct individuals' full potential and, as a result, are not in the best interests of society as a whole. Human Rights Day is an excellent opportunity for us to think together about how to eradicate prejudices that obstruct humanity's progress "added the President. On this day, the world should also debate and discuss the 'Right to a Healthy Environment and Climate Justice,' according to the President. "The deterioration of nature is causing irreversible climate change, and we are already seeing the consequences. The world is waking up to the unpleasant reality, but it has yet to muster the willpower to make significant changes. It is our responsibility to protect Mother Nature from the worst effects of industrialisation for the sake of our children. The clock is ticking, "he said. International Human Rights Day 2021, All Human Equal PM Modi pays tributes to C Rajagopalachari on his birth anniversary Winter Session: PM Modi holds meeting with top ministers in Parliament