1. Inauguration of the Pro-Bono Club and Awareness Workshops
In furtherance of its initiative to bridge the gap between quality legal services to the marginalized, the Committee inaugurated the Pro Bono Club under the Nyaybandhu initiative of the Ministry of Law and Justice. Different workshops have been undertaken under the Pro-Bono club on subjects such as human rights, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences [“POCSO”] and governmental schemes.
The POCSO Workshop was conducted with the help of 6 Para Legal Volunteers from the District Legal Services Authority and was also addressed by the Scheme Coordinator and Senior Consultant, Access to Justice and the Department of Justice. The workshop began with an explanation of the issues covered under the POCSO Act. Thereafter, the children were explained what constitutes child abuse, how to deal with the situation without panicking, and from whom they can seek help in such situations. Students were provided and taught about the basic provisions of POCSO and Child helpline number.
2. Workshop on Legal Education and Law Entrance Exams
The first workshop conducted was for the students of Shri Jain Public School, Bikaner. The Committee has consistently strived to enhance the accessibility of legal education. Aiming to empower prospective law school aspirants with valuable insights and guidance, the Committee organized a workshop on Law Entrance Examinations in February 2023, specifically for senior secondary students of the school. The workshop commenced by highlighting the critical role the legal fraternity plays in upholding societal well-being. This was followed by a discourse emphasizing the significance of legal education for young minds. A comprehensive presentation was delivered to shed light on various law entrance examinations, the requisite preparation strategies, and the dynamic environment of law schools. Additionally, the students were apprised of the diverse career opportunities available to law graduates.
3. Pro-Bono Club Workshop on Human Rights
The second workshop theme was Human Rights. Two workshops were conducted on the occasion of International Human Rights Day under the Pro-Bono club initiative of the Department of Justice in Ramjas School, Delhi and Composite School, Allenganj, Prayagraj. The Committee members addressed the high school students and sensitized them about the on-ground human rights situation in India. The students were apprised of the significance of UDHR and the relevant provisions in the Indian context through short videos and documentaries. The Committee also highlighted how the students can access their rights through the Nyaya Bandhu scheme of the Department of Justice.
4. Workshop on Government Schemes
The Committee took the initiative to conduct the Government Scheme Workshop and informed the prospective beneficiaries of these schemes about how to make use of such schemes and avail of benefits. The workshop was conducted in the village of Surpura on 19th February 2023 and majorly focused on the schemes run by the State government of Rajasthan and the Government of India for Women, Senior Citizens, Students, etc. The workshop was conducted in the Panchayat Bhavan. The workshop began by explaining how several governmental schemes started with the specific aim of helping the marginalized section of society. Thereafter, the Committee members explained the schemes, their benefits, eligibility, and documents required to avail of their benefits through the help of PPTs and comedic acts. The schemes covered were: Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Samman Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Ekal Nari Samman Yojana, Bal Kalyan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.
5. Chunav Jagrukta (Electoral Awareness) Radio-Podcast with All India Radio
Legal Aid and Awareness Committee recorded a podcast with Aaksahvani, Jodhpur, to be aired on 17th November. The podcast was in furtherance of the initiative of Chunnav Jagrukta, under which the members of the committee generate awareness among the local community about the importance of voting in elections. The Podcast was styled as a conversation between a mother and daughter, and was titled as ‘Mera Phela Vote’. The script was written in a way as to include all the influences that affect the voting rights and providing a pathway to choose ideal vote.
6. Training under “Designing Innovative Solutions and Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)”
The DISHA Scheme, under Department of Justice, endeavors to consolidate various components of Access to Justice currently undertaken, with the goal of addressing gaps in justice delivery. The Pan India Action Plan, a component of DISHA, outlines Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness programs designed to adopt a multi-stakeholder, progressive, and transformative approach.
The One-Day Workshop on Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness was organised on October 9, 2023 under the aegis of Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India by National Law University, Jodhpur in association with Centre for Environmental Law, Education, Research and Advocacy (CEERA), National Law School of India University (NLSIU). The workshop was graced by esteemed speakers such as Adv. Gopal Sandhu, Mr. Vikas Gehlot, Prof. Sairam Bhat and Dr. Deendayal Purohit who shared their valuable insights on several aspects of pro-bono legal aid with real life examples to make the session engaging. Prof. Sairam Bhat, Professor of Law & Co-ordinator, CEERA, NLSIU emphasised on the fact that Legal aid must be preventive in nature and not remedial. The workshop aimed at highlighting the issues faced by marginalised society while accessing legal aid and access to legal education. The workshop was a huge success as 175 attendees were present in the workshop.
7. Informative Session on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has been implementing the Central Sector Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985-86 with the objectives of creating awareness and educate people about the ill-effects of alcoholism and substance abuse and for providing the whole range of community-based services for indemnification, motivation, counselling, de-addiction, after care and rehabilitation for whole person Recovery (WPR) of addicts. In accordance with the directives issued by the Juvenile Justice Committee, Rajasthan High Court, and Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur, Justice Vijay Vishnoi, a distinguished Judge at the Rajasthan High Court, presided over a specialized event on the 31st of October 2023 at the Town Hall of Rajasthan Sangeet NatyaAcademy. LAAC presented an informative session on the topic “Alcoholism and Substance Abuse” during the event.