World Consumer Rights Day 2021: History, Theme and Significance

New Delhi: World Consumer Rights Day is marked every year on March 15. A consumer is a body or a person who wants to buy services, products and goods for social, personal or household use. The campaign for consumers, ‘Jago Grahak Jago’means ‘wake up consumer, be aware’. The consumer awareness programme was established by the Department of Consumer Affairs, mainly to create awareness among the consumers through audio-visual campaigns, consumer education and adverts.

The Origin and theme of World Consumer Rights Day.#worldconsumerrightsday2021 #origin #theme #TacklingPlasticPollution #consumeraffairs #jagograhakjago #ConsumerRights pic.twitter.com/RrOk55PzfP

— Consumer Affairs (@jagograhakjago) March 14, 2021

History of World Consumer Rights Day

The day was inspired by the former President of the US John F Kennedy. On 15^th March 1962, he sent a message to US Congress by formally addressing the issue of consumer rights. He became the first world leader to do such a thing. The movement for consumer rights was first marked in 1983 and since then the day is celebrated every year to mobilize action on important consumers’ campaigns and issues.

The theme of the year 2021

The theme of National Consumer Rights Day 2021 is “Tackling Plastic Pollution”. The aim of the theme is to encourage sustainable practices for clean surroundings and respecting the rights of ‘Grahak’/ consumer. ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ campaign is already running by the Consumer Rights ministry. “The campaign will raise awareness and engage consumers to globally adopt more sustainable practises…,” Consumer Affairs Ministry tweeted.

“This World Consumer Rights Day, let us take a pledge to stop buying plastic-based goods to tackle plastic pollution,” Raosaheb Patil Danve, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs tweeted.

This World Consumer Rights Day, let us take a pledge to stop buying plastic based goods to tackle plastic pollution. #worldconsumerrightsday #tackleplasticpollution #saynotoplastic pic.twitter.com/uFA4t6CPpK

— Raosaheb Patil Danve (@raosahebdanve) March 15, 2021

Basic rights of consumers

• “The right to be protected from all kind of hazardous goods and services”
• “The right to be fully informed about the performance and quality of all goods and services”
• “The right to complete consumer education”
• “The right to be heard in all decision-making processes related to consumer interests”
• “The right to free choice of goods and services”
• “The right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have been infringed”

(Source: jagograhakjago.com)