24 ... ... ... ... .. T E N Y E A R S O F T H E C O M M I S S I O N I N R E T RO S P E C T of detailed amendments to that Act. The Commission also intervened in numerous instances to assist individuals experiencing harassment, intolerance or discrimination on grounds of disabilities. In a notable case concluded in 2002 after a number of hearings, a medical student, who had lost his eyesight while still studying for an MBBS degree at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), was enabled to complete his studies and take his final examination. A Core Group on Disability was appointed in 2001-2002, as also a Special Rapporteur to assist the Commission in the better fulfilment of its responsibilities. ● Rights of the Elderly: While, over the years, the Commission often acted upon complaints received from the elderly, its involvement in respect of this issue increased substantially in 2000 when it participated in the work of the National Council for Older Persons and commented on the Action Plan (2000-2005) prepared by the competent Ministry. From that year onward, the Commission has kept closely in touch with groups involved with the rights of older persons and has been transmitting suggestions to the Union Government as and when necessary. ● The Rights of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes: The Commission has, over the years, been seized of numerous complaints alleging harassment and brutality in the treatment accorded to members of the "denotified and nomadic tribes" by public servants, especially the police. A number of recommendations have been made by the Commission in this respect and efforts are also being made through training institutes to reorient the thinking of public servants in regard to problems faced by members of this group. ● Rights of Minorities: The most critical test of the "inclusiveness" of a society is the manner in which it protects the rights of its minorities. For the Commission, the Constitution, the laws of the land and the treaty obligations of the State have been the constant measure by which it has judged the conduct of those against whom allegations have been brought of the violation of the rights of members of minority communities of the country. In addition to handling numerous individual complaints containing allegations of discrimination or victimization, the Commission has accorded the highest priority to reminding public servants throughout the country - and particularly in States from which such complaints have come in large measure - that they must uphold the Constitution and laws of the land or face the censure of the Commission if they fail to discharge N AT I O N A L H U M A N R I G H T S C O M M I S S I O N