Face2News/Chandigarh
The Legal Literacy Cell of Government College of Education, Sector 20D, Chandigarh, celebrated National Legal Services Day with an insightful legal awareness session aimed at educating students about their rights and responsibilities. Dr. Sapna Nanda, Principal of the college, extended a warm welcome to the key note speaker of the day, Shri. Rajeshwar Singh, Law Officer, Sate Legal Services Authority, UT Chandigarh and highlighted the significance of the day in promoting legal literacy and empowering youth to understand legal frameworks that impact their lives.
In his keynote address, Mr. Singh spoke about the importance of being informed about one’s rights and the need for a responsible, informed citizenry, which he sees as the foundation of a fair and democratic society. He also highlighted critical aspects of the POCSO Act, encouraging students to be vigilant and proactive in protecting children's rights.
Mr. Rajeshwar Singh congratulated Dr. Sapna Nanda and Dr. Meena, the in-charge of the Legal Literacy Cell, for organizing the program. He emphasized the importance of celebrating National Legal Services Day, which serves as a vital reminder of the need for accessible and equitable justice for all citizens. He highlighted that such events help bridge the gap between legal systems and the common people, empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to uphold their rights.
Also student representative Ms. Shagun Vinayak, Chief Executive Member of the Legal Literacy Cell, outlined the various activities and objectives of the cell, emphasizing its commitment to fostering legal awareness on campus. Ms. Aanchal (executive member) provided an introduction to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), explaining its mission to offer free legal services to the underprivileged.
This was followed by an informative presentation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act by Ms. Nitika (executive member), underscoring the importance of safeguarding children from abuse. Further, Ms. Saloni, (executive member), presented on three major legislative reforms introduced in 2023: the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bhartiya Sakshaya Adhiniyam (BSA). She highlighted the key features of these reforms, which aim to streamline and modernize India’s criminal justice system.
The event of the day concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session where students engaged with Mr. Singh on various legal topics. The NSS Cell of the College also conducted an awareness outreach session on the My Bharat portal, an initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India led by NSS Programme Officer Dr. Balwinder Kaur. Ms. Saloni delivered the formal vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all speakers and participants. The program layout was prepared under the guidance of Dr. Meena, who facilitated the smooth execution of this enlightening session. This event underscored the college’s commitment to legal literacy, aiming to empower students with knowledge that will serve them and society at large.