Ferozepur girl brings global attention to plight of Punjab's border farmers at Int'l Human Rights Conference
Harish Monga
Vancouver/Ferozepur, May 27, 2026:
A young girl from Ferozepur has brought pride to the nation by raising the long-pending issue of Punjab’s border farmers on an International platform during the International Human Rights Conference 2026 held at the in Vancouver, Canada.
Hazel, a bright student of Class 12 of DCM International School, received a special invitation and scholarship to participate in the prestigious conference, where delegates from over 40 countries and more than 100 leading participants were present. Her impactful presentation on the struggles of families living along the India-Pakistan border earned her the “Youngest Delegate Award”.
During her speech, Hazel highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of border families who migrated during the 1947 Partition and settled on barren lands near the border. She explained how these families transformed uncultivable land into fertile agricultural fields through decades of hard work, yet continue to live without full legal ownership rights over their land even after more than 70 years of India’s independence.
Calling it not merely a land dispute but a serious human rights issue, Hazel said the concerns of border farmers remained neglected due to the backward and sensitive nature of the border region.
Recalling the Green Revolution era, she said former Prime Minister had assured border farmers that they would be granted ownership rights in return for contributing to the nation’s food security. However, despite continuously feeding the country, many promises still remain unfulfilled.
Speaking about political developments, Hazel mentioned that during the 2009 government, efforts were initiated to regularize the land rights of border farmers. She noted that registration processes for nearly 1,500 acres out of 10,400 acres had begun at the time, giving hope to thousands of affected families.
She further stated that after the change in government, the process was reportedly discontinued, and subsequent governments failed to seriously address the matter. Hazel also referred to notices allegedly issued to farmers in 2023 asking them to vacate the land, though the matter was later stayed by the High Court.
Hazel’s speech received appreciation from delegates and participants at the conference, as she passionately voiced the pain and uncertainty faced by border families of Punjab on a global stage.
Expressing her emotions during an interaction with this correspondent, Hazel said that while speaking at the international forum, she could visualize thousands of hardworking families from Ferozepur who have been living like outsiders on their own land for decades.
“For me, this was not just about winning an award. It was a responsibility to place the pain of our people before the world and make global leaders aware of what Punjab’s border farmers are going through,” she said emotionally.
The achievement has brought immense pride to the management, teachers, and students as well as the entire region.