Participants during the consumer rights awareness programme conducted under the Consumer Awareness Bharat Yatra 2026 at KSCJ on February 18. (Photo Courtesy: KSCJ)
Kohima, February 18 (MExN): A consumer rights awareness programme under the Consumer Awareness Bharat Yatra 2026 was held at the Laboratory of the Department of Mathematics, Kohima Science College Jotsoma Autonomous (KSCJ) on February 18.
During the event organised by the KSCJ Students’ Club, the participants were informed that the Consumer Awareness Bharat Yatra was launched on December 24, 2015, with the objective of spreading awareness on consumer rights across the country.
The Yatra, led by Dr Anant Sharma, has been travelling across India to educate citizens on consumer protection and the prevention of unfair trade practices. It promotes the message of “Jago Grahak Jago” (Wake up, Consumer, Wake up) to encourage vigilance among consumers.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Sharma stated that every individual who purchases goods or services is a consumer and underscored the importance of verifying the quality and quantity of products before purchase. Failure to do so, he said, often results in exploitation.
He highlighted the six basic consumer rights established in 1986: the Right to Safety, Right to Information, Right to Choose, Right to Services, Right to Compensation, and the Right to Consumer Education. He observed that despite the existence of these rights, many people remain unaware of them, necessitating continued awareness campaigns.
The Consumer Commissions are functioning in every state where complaints can be filed, and cases are intended to be resolved within 90 days, he added.
Dr Sharma also dwelt on the growing influence of advertisements, mobile phones and artificial intelligence in shaping consumer behaviour, stressing the need for heightened awareness in the digital era.
Students were encouraged to utilise consumer helplines and report unfair practices.
An interactive session followed, during which students suggested measures that could be adopted in Nagaland, including greater awareness regarding Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on products, informed a press release from the KSCJ Students’ Union.
