The importance of ‘World Consumer Rights Day’

In course of the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation(NVCO) two-week long observation of World Consumer Rights Day, NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi stressed on “the importance of observation of World Consumer Rights Day”. World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on March 15 every year, is a global event that aims to raise awareness about consumer rights and needs. Consumer rights mean that every person who buys various products, goods, and services, has the right to have information on the quality, purity, price, and standard of those products. Did you know that you have the right to file a complaint from anywhere, anytime as consumer? Most people are not aware of their rights as consumers, so by celebrating this day, we make others aware of the right to demand protection and stay safe from fraudulent activities in the marketplace. The day is celebrated to help all global consumers realise their rights and speak against market injustice. Global consumers suffer from inadequate products, unfair terms of sale and poor after-sales service. Therefore, this day is celebrated to protest against these unfair practices and to demand better consumer treatment and service. The global theme of world consumer rights day 2023 – “Clean Energy Transition”.
The first world consumer rights day was celebrated in 1963 and since then, the World Consumer Rights Day has grown in popularity and is celebrated every year with a specific theme. One of the most interesting themes, ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’, aimed to raise awareness of sustainable consumption and practices focusing on the manufacturing and usage of plastics and their impact on the environment. Knowing our rights as consumers is crucial because we can only identify whether we are getting fooled or cheated if we know our consumer rights. Most importantly, we can raise our voices and take legal action against any product or service purchase that goes against our rights.
In Nagaland, there is an alternate mechanism where before approaching District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or State Commission, one can call up Nagaland Consumer Helpline through Toll Free No. 1800 – 345 – 3701 and seek help or guidance as to how to solve one’s consumer grievances. Kezhokhoto Savi in his special message to the citizens/consumers of the state – “If all the people in Nagaland act together and raise awareness about consumer rights, our society as well as government agencies will change for the better when it comes to consumer rights”.
Press & Media Cell, NVCO
Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate
Recipient of First Prize National Youth Award