March 15th is celebrated as Consumer Rights Day in honour of President John F. Kennedy's 1962 speech on the rights and the protection of consumers. The current shift in consumer rights was inspired by the lecture, which still has a rippling effect across various institutions globally. World Consumer Day sheds light on the issues faced by consumers in their daily lives. Despite all the progress we have made, many issues remain unsolved, such as malpractices, adulteration, dangerous commodities, etc. The day not only prioritizes the fundamental rights of consumers but also keeps them in focus.
Governments recognize the importance of caring for consumers to reinforce existing rules for the relevant parties involved. Standards ensure that consumers are treated fairly and protected from dangerous products. Businesses and governments should conduct seminars to ensure that unethical practices are not tolerated, as consumers are their ultimate beneficiaries, and their suffering erodes long-term trust.
Consumers should feel free to report their grievances and take legal action to address what is rightfully necessary. Despite these precautions, consumers face problems daily, including unjustified prices, unsafe products, and poor customer service. Consumer associations play a key role in addressing these issues, collecting individual consumer concerns and collectively addressing them through group protests, prompting the relevant parties to take necessary actions.
An example of consumer rights being enacted in India is the introduction of the Right to Information Act, reflecting consumers' concerns about their rights and involvement in society. Enacted in 2005, the RTI Act enabled consumers to access various databases from public experts, leading to advanced transparency and accountability. Consumers enthusiastically filed for RTI to approach the government on issues like public spending and expenditure, procedural reform and questioned delays in information processing and facts revelation. Through multiple training sessions and campaigns, consumers have now promoted an ecosystem of transparency, where the respective institutions can be held accountable.
World Consumer Day is the day we demand what is rightfully ours, raise awareness of the issues we face, and advocate for better guidelines. It is an opportunity for us to speak against biases, malpractices, and injustices. We must work together as global consumers for a better world where our rights and principles define us.
- Nandini Partani
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