NHRC, India between NHRC and CSOs and NGOs, HRDs on human rights issues, digital education for children in the advent of Covid-19,which have been enlisted under Annexure – 9. G. Promote research on human rights 2.8 The Commission is also mandated to undertake and promote research in the field of Human Rights for which it sanctions and supervises research projects under various thematic areas of Human Rights to be carried out by Principal Investigators (PIs) from various institutions of repute. During the period under review, the Commission sanctioned 18 new projects and 25projects were ongoing. The research projects, their PIs, thematic areas and research objectives have been detailed under Annexure – 12. H. Promotion of human rights literacy 2.9 One of the major functions of the Commission includes spreading human rights literacy among various sections of society and promoting awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means. All the major activities undertaken by the Commission to spread human rights literacy have been elaborated under Chapter – 7. To promote literacy, the Commission also undertakes to organise visits by students from various Universities, internship programmes and funds, and organises moot court competitions. The same have been detailed under Chapter – 6. The officers of the Investigation Division deliver lectures in training institutes and other forums, wherever they are invited to sensitise the various stakeholders and spread human rights literacy and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of human rights. Regular lectures and presentations are given by officers of the Investigation Division to students of Short Term as well as Long Term Internship Programmes of NHRC. I. Engagements with NGOs and civil society organizations 2.10 The Commission encourages the efforts of non-governmental organisations and institutions working in the field of human rights by collaborating with CSOs and NGOs registered on Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog in spreading Human Rights literacy or awareness and releasing funds for the same, and availing their expertise on various burning issues by offering them membership of core groups and organising meetings thereof in order to provide them with an opportunity to voice their opinions. Chapter – 6 that deals with the training programmes covers support to NGOs and CSOs during Human Rights literacy programmes, whereas Chapter – 7 deals with advisories, which are released based on valuable inputs received from the representatives of NGOs, CSOs and others during Core Group meetings. J. Engagements with HRDs 2.11 Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are engaged by the Commission, who, individually or with others, act to promote or protect human rights. Human Rights Defenders have actively contributed in addressing human rights concerns, such as arbitrary arrest and detention, discrimination, forced evictions, access to health care, etc. They also aim to protect basic human rights, such as the rights ANNUAL REPORT 5 2021-22