Why another blog on human rights?

This blog is as much for me as for the readers. I find that even after my ivy league grad school education (i intend to slip in the term ivy league as much as possible..since thats the only value for money i'm getting out of it till now) I am unable to define and explain the term human rights in 30 seconds (or 30 minutes) when asked by a lay person. And if I cant explain them after studying and working in it..then how do I expect the uninitiated to get anything about Human Rights?

Thus this blog is an attempt explain and understand the broad vague term called 'Human Rights' which seems to encompass everything from genocide to a person's social responsibility. I fully reserve the right to slip in as many jokes as i want (since i recently read a book on 'understanding philosophy through jokes'.and though am still mostly clueless about philosophy, I do have lots of jokes to retell). But I have to admit that everybody may not find my brand of funnies,..well... funny..in which case u will just have to lump it. :).

About Me: Ive done my Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York...having specialised in Human Rights and Conflict Resolution. I have spent some time in UN Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International. And in my earlier life I worked as a journalist in India. I am an atheist or a secular humanist by religion...but am enthusiastic about a God and heaven... being sure that if one exists I have a eternal pass on basis of my work in human rights and I wont be denied entry merely on the small technicality of being a non believer. However for now, God's habit of giving a free pass to humans being cruel to other humans makes me feel that the most charitable thing to do for Him would be to deny his existence for now and plod on ourselves..

But I diverge..as i often will..given that its my blog. :). so lets begin next week with 'what is Human Rights' for dummies...