Legal Awareness on Child Rights - Vasco Free Legal Aid Cell

The Vasco Free Legal Aid Cell in association with Child line conducted a legal literacy programme on 29 January 2017, at the Santoshi Mata Temple at New Vadem, Vasco. The programme began at 16.30 hrs with the Inaugural address by the Deputy cell in – charge, Ms. Nikita Singh. The guest speakers, Ms. Suraya Borges and Ms. Suzanna De Souza were introduced to the crowd. As a gesture of appreciation a rose was presented to the dignitaries. Prof. Ms. Ashwini Naik, the faculty in – charge of the cell witnessed the programme. 

 

The programme began with an interactive session with the audience, where Ms. Suraya Borges asked the locals about their knowledge as to child rights. The next speaker for the day, Ms.  Suzanna de Souza spoke at length about the various child rights and its relevance in the modern world. She stated that as crimes against children may it be in the form of abuse or exploitation is increasing at an alarming rate in the State of Goa, the rights of children are at stake and demands protection. Further, she said that the tender age of children make them undergo great mental trauma and depression when offences are committed against them. Hence, she appealed to all to work together to bring awareness on this issue which is a major area of concern. Safety and security of children being one of the objective of child line, she also urged the audience to provide aid to the child in need of counselling by bring it to the notice of Child line. 

The guests were presented with mementos and refreshments served to the public present at the programme. The programme concluded at 18.00 hrs with a thanks note proposed by Ms. Uthara.

Valpoi Free Legal Aid Cell Organizes Talk on Child Rights

Valpoi Legal Aid cell members and faculty in charge, Prof. Aamod Shirali with the guest speakers and special invitees 

Valpoi Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law in collaboration with 'Childline' organised an awareness program on the much needed topic of Child Rights, Child Abuse and Information on Childline 1098. The talk was held on 28th January 2017 in Massordem village, Valpoi – Goa. The Cell was ably guided by Prof. Aamod Shirali, Faculty in-charge of the cell.

An extensive two day campaign in the village was undertaken by the cell members, Mohd. Afaq Khan, Akshata Desai, Rajdeep Desai and Shamroz Khan. The members also procured necessary permission to use the temple premises from Mr. Suryakant Gawas (Head of the Village).

The keynote speakers for the programme were Co-ordinators of childline Suzan D'souza and Vinita Gadekar. Mr. Rajdeep Dessai, Member of the Cell welcomed the gathering and introduced the guest to the people Mohd. Afaq Khan, the Student in-charge of Valpoi Free Legal Aid Cell spoke about the Aims and Objectives of the Cell.

The coordinator of Childline, Ms Suzan D'souza spoke on the rights of the child, the government schemes available to children, and cautioned the parents to guard their children especially when they use internet. A National Award winning movie titled, Komal was shown. 

Ms. Vinita Gadekar gave details about the Childline organisation. She informed that if any person notices any child alone, in need of shelter, or when the child is abused or beaten etc, Childline is to be informed at the earliest. She requested the public to call immediately on the childline number 1098. 

The programme was attended in large numbers by the villagers from Massordem - Valpoi. Deputy incharge of the cell, Ms. Akshata Desai proposed the vote of thanks.

Porvorim (Sanjay School) Free Legal Aid Cell - Legal Awareness Program

Porvorim Free Legal Aid Cell (Sanjay School) of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law organised a talk on "Child Line Awareness" at Holy Family High School Porvorim Goa, on 28th January 2017. The key note speakers for the function were Ms. Suraya Borjes and Ms.Jessica Perreira (Members of Child Line Organisation Prof. Ranjana Ferrao, the faculty in-charge attended the program.

Ms.Jessica Perreira discussed about definition of 'child’ and about the rights of children . She interacted with the audience and tried to find out whether they were aware of 'child line'. They showed short films on awareness of child helpline and how children and parents have to be vigilant about their safety. In case any child happened to victim of child abuse, the measures to be taken were enumerated. She also had one to one question and answer session with the audience.

The teaching staff of Holy Family School and the children of 9th Std. attended the program. Also present for the function was Mrs Nalini Xavier, principal of Holy Family High School. Mr.Bernard Fernandez, Member of the Cell compered the function. Ms Danica d'souza proposed the vote of thanks. The program was very well received by the audience.

Margao Free Legal Aid Cell – Legal Literacy Campaign

The Margao Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaoacar College of Law conducted their Legal Literacy Programme at Rotary Hall, Fatorda on 22nd January, 2017. The members of the cell collaborated with Child Line to conduct a programme on Child Rights, Child Abuse and Children & Cyber Law. Two speakers were present from Child Line Ms.Suraya and Ms. Padma. Faculty in charge Prof.Sonal Sardesai along with the president of Rotary club Margao Mr. TanmayMahajan attaended the program. 

The cell in charge, Mr.Bryan Barbosa Noronha, welcomed the gathering and gave a brief account of the objectives and functioning of the Margao Free Legal Aid Cell. The speakers started the talk by informing about the functions of Child Line and how it works. They discussed the various rights children. In order to help explain how children suffer from sexual abuse they showed a short animated clip to the audience and later asked questions on the same. The response from the crowd was very good; they questioned the speakers about the various aspects of their work. 

The student deputy in charge proposed vote of thanks.Around 45 people attended the programme. 

Moira LAC – Legal Awareness Program

Moira Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaoacar College of Law conducted its Annual Legal Literacy Program in association with Child line on 21st January 2017 at Moira Panchayat Hall. 

Dr. Nagesh Colvalakar, the faculty in charge of the Cell was present for the same. The student members addressed the villagers and explained about the purpose of the legal aid cell and the various services it renders. 

Bastora Legal Aid Cell takes up Election Awareness Campaign

Free and fair election, being the backbone of democracy, it is important that the voters are appropriately informed of their right and the mode of exercise of their right to vote, especially in the event of the new electronic  voting machines that were to be used for the Assembly General Election which was scheduled in February 2017. In this backdrop, The Bastora Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law thought it fit to take up this topic and create awareness to voters about the same and succeeded in organizing a Program on Election Awareness on 7^th January 2017.  

Mr. Amitesh Shirvoikar, Block Development Officer (Assistant Returning Officer, Aldona Constituency)  and Mr. Ranjeet R. Salgaonkar, Joint Mamlatdar –II, Bardez  (Assistant Returning Officer, Siolim Constituency) were the resource persons for the program. The faculty in charge of the Bastora Legal Aid Cell, Prof. Pearl Monteiro  and the Sarpanch of Bastora Village Panchayat attended the same.

Bastora Legal Aid Cell Members with Faculty in charge, Prof.Pearl Monteiro , Mr. Amitesh Shirvoikar, Block Development Officer and Mr. Ranjeet Salgaicar, Joint Mamlatdar II 

The speakers addressed the importance of exercising the mandate in an appropriate manner so as to bring in a good and free corrupt state.  Information on the new electronic polling machine which would be introduced in this election, was disseminated. A demonstration on How to use the Machine, with public participation was also held.

Demonstration on Use of EVM

The program was very interactive and the audience actively participated in the discussion and many queries were raised, all of which were answered by the resource persons. 

Mr. Nitesh Ambedkar, Cell Member  introduced and welcomed the guest.  Mr. Dattaprashad Shirodkar, the Student  in charge delivered the Vote of Thanks.  

Taleigao Free Legal Aid Cell - Legal Literacy Program on Rights of Children

The Taleigao Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law, Goa took up Child Rights as their theme for Legal Awareness.  The program was organized in association with Childline 1098. The faculty in charge, Dr.Nagesh Colvalakar attended the program, which was held on7th January 2017 at the Kshetrapal Damodar Temple, Durgawadi.

The members of Taleigao Free Legal Aid Cell with Childline members and Dr. Nagesh Colvalkar

Interactive session

Educational Movie screened

Protection Against Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence – Panel Discussion Organised by Bandora Legal Aid Cell

Bandora Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law provides Free Legal Assistance  to the locals of Bandora and the people in the surrounding village. The Cell functions every Saturday at Bandora Panchayat Hall from 3.00 PM till 5.00 PM. The faculty in-charge Prof. Bhakti Naik guides the students to conduct the cell programmes efficiently.

Bandora Legal Aid cell organised a Panel discussion on Protection against Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence at Bandora Ponda, at Sanjeevan High Secondary School on 7th January 2017.

Ms. Pooja Naik spoke about the activities of Bandora Cell and welcomed the audience. Mr. Tejas Kamat introduced the panellists. Mr A.K. Kamat proposed the theme for discussion. Thereafter the panelists discussed on various aspects of domestic violence and sexual harassment of women. Throughout the discussion, members from the audience was raiding questions and issues, which were discussed over by the panel. 

The questions related to procedure of complaint of sexual harassment, whether mental harassment is harassment, remedies available to minor victims in sexual harassment, what if victim is a boy child or male, information of the helpline 1091(women helpline no), and such other issues.

Legal Awareness on Child Rights at Merces

Solely motivated by the principle that ‘Children should be inspired to defend their rights’, the Mercers free legal aid cell conducted its annual Legal Literacy programme on 6^thJanuary 2017, at St.cruz Panchayat Hall in collaboration with the child line. The Programme was attended by the Students of St.cruz High School, and by the locals. The representative faculty Prof. Dr. K.S. Rao was present on the occasion.

The Inaugural address given by the Deputy student cell in - charge Ms. Saicha Dessai. She introduced and welcomed the guest speaker.  

The Programme then began with the Speaker interacting with the crowd about their knowledge on Child line. The crowd was first  reluctant to answer any questions but at the later point responded overwhelmingly to the questions posed by the Speaker. Speaker spoke about the purpose of child line and also provided information about quick help line numbers for women. They also encouraged the people to safeguard themselves from any kind of abuse; then proceeded to give a few other examples wherein a lot of children were actually victims and have called the child line for their help and then conducted a demonstration to confirm whether the child line number is functional or not, for that purpose asked people to call and it did work. The Programme  concluded with vote of thanks delivered by student cell in - charge Ms. Firdoussa Babepari. 

Sanquelim Legal Aid Cell Holds Awareness Program on Cyber Security and Cyber Crime

The members of Sanquelim Free Legal Aid Cell, Prof. Gomati Desai and Adv. Eeshan Usapkar

It is always a matter of joy and pride, when legal aid at V.M.Salgaocar College of Law turns out to be a platform for our alumni to joins hands with the students. Sanquelim Free Legal Aid Cell embarked on its legal literacy campaign on Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes, and our alumnus Adv. Eeshan Usapkar joined as the resource person. The faculty in charge Prof.Gomati Desai attended the program.

The event was held on 5th January 2017, in the School Hall of Government Higher Secondary School Hall and the students of 9^th standard from St. John of the Cross High School and Progress High School; and 11^th standard  from the Arts and Commerce wing of Government Higher Secondary school attended the same. A total of 160 students were present for the program.

Mr. Gauresh Malik, Cell Member compered the program. The guests were welcomed by Pratiksha and Priya. Prof.Gomati Desai spoke about Sanquelim Free Legal Aid cell and its functioning, purpose and objectives.

As Adv Eeshan Usapkar took over the session, a wave of interest and excitement was seen among the students. The talk focused on Cyber securities, Cyber Crimes, Prevention and Precaution measures.  Live examples were illustrated to students. It was made clear that students, many a time they end up in being offenders themselves without even knowing about it. The various offences, penalties, enforcement authorities, complaint mechanism etc. were explained in detail.

The session was followed by an open forum wherein students could ask questions or seek clarifications. Students enthusiastically participated in this session. The program ended with the vote of thanks by Cell Member, Mr. Tejas Chodankar.