Awareness Program on Cyber Crimes @ Mapusa Free Legal Aid Cell

Cyber Crimes and Safe Use of Internet is one topic on which students are to be made aware of, right from their high school days. Keeping in mind the importance of the topic, the Mapusa Free Legal Aid Cell in association with the Caculo College Legal Aid Cell, organized a legal literacy program on 27 February 2017, at the Sridora Caculo College of Commerce and Management Studies, Khorlim, Mapusa Goa.

Mapusa Free Legal Aid Cell members with Adv. Eshan  Usapkar and Dr. Mrunmayi Vaidya

Ms. Vaibhavi Amonker, the student deputy in-charge, introduced and welcomed the guest speaker Advocate Eeshan Usapkar as well as the Faculty in-charge of the cell, Dr.Mrunmayi Vaidya.

Adv.Eeshan Usapkar made the session a highly interactive one, and received overwhelming response from the audience. He spoke in detail about the various types of cybercrimes, with ample illustrations and case studies. 

The talk focused on measures to safeguard oneself from such crimes, both as victims and as offenders. 

He gave examples wherein a lot of children were actually victims of Cyber Crimes and enumerated the various kinds of offences that the children regularly commit while handling Social Networking Sites. He also gave some demonstrations as to the practical hacking of Mobile phones. Information on the Cyber Cell of the Police Department was also conveyed.

The students of Saraswat Vidyalaya High School, Dnyanprasarak Vidyalaya High School, Purushottom Walawalkar Higher Secondary School, and Sridora Caculo College of Commerce and Management Studies  attended the program.

The Program concluded with the vote of thanks by Student in-charge Mr. Balkrishna Thali. Miss. Ruta Prabhudessai compered the Program.

Soccoro Awareness Drive on Consumer Rights

Socorro Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law organized a talk on Consumer Rights Awareness as a part of their legal literacy programme on 23rd February 2017 at 5:00pm at the 20 point colony garden. 

The resource person was Mr. Roland Martins, GOACAN Convenor. Ms. Lona and our faculty in-charge Prof. Dr. Shabir Ali were also present. The gathering was addressed by Cell Member Mr. Nigel Lourenceo welcomed the audience and introduced the guests. Nigel also spoke about the objectives and functions of the legal aid cell.

The students members had conducted an extensive campaigning on the previous days, on 21st Feb and 22nd February and they had informed the residents to carry their domestic gas cards as requested by Mr. Roland Martins. 

Mr.Roland Martins started the session by explaining the rights of the consumers under the Consumer Protection Act as well as the reliefs available to every consumer. He also explained to the residents where to file a complaint when necessary. 

Proceeding with the talk Mr. Roland Martins demonstrated how to disconnect a cylinder as well as the procedure of connecting the cylinder in the correct manner. He also explained and showed how to light the burner with proper safety. Similarly he gave many safety tips. 

Thereafter Mr.Martins focused on the fuel conservation tips on transport and domestic sectors also in which he included small tips for LPG consumers like switching off the engines at red lights to reduce fuel bills, driving car at 45-55 KMPH which can save petrol up to 20%, use of pressure cooker to cook faster and to save fuel, having meal together with family as it can save LPG on reheating food and many more such tips. He requested all the participants to buy products having ISI marks. Leaflets on which 24 hours helpline numbers are mentioned as well as numbers to call during office hours for any complaints were distributed. 

The program ended with the vote of thanks proposed by the cell member. About 147 residents of 20 point Colony and Soccorro village Panchayat area attended the program.

Child Rights Talk at Porvorim VPP

As a part of the free legal aid services of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, the Porvorim Free Legal Aid Cell members organised a talk on ‘Child Rights’ at Vidya Prabodhini High School on 11^th February 2017 at 4.00 pm. The topics covered were Child Abuse and Role of Parents and Children; secondly Child Rights and the Child Helpline Number.

The programme was attended by porvorim locals which included school students. Prof. Sonal Sardessai, the faculty in – charge of the cell witnessed the programme.

The dignitaries Ms. Jessica Pereira and Ms. Soraya Borgeous were extended a floral welcome. Ms. Jessica Pereira explained what kinds of child abuse exist. She stated that child abuse need not be physical only but emotional too when someone makes racist comments against a child such as “your are ugly” or “fat” or “dark skinned”.  Ms. Jessica also brought to our wake by sighting real instances of child abuse in Goan schools where boys are also victims. As per statistics the abuse to boys is much more than girls and this is because boys are afraid to speak up.

Ms. Pereira explained what role a parent should play when their child is subjected to any abuse. Parents need to be more involved to know what happens to their child whenever he goes to school or travels alone. She also urged parents to be a moral support when their child is a victim to abuse and not to blame the child rather assure him/ her of their security.  She categorically stated that, if anyone knows of such abuse cases can report the same by calling onto 1098 and the confidentiality of the caller will also be protected.

Ms. Pereira spoke to the children as to what should be their role when they are subjected to any kind of abuse. She urged the children to speak up to their parents or who they trust most and not to hide anything.

Mr. Soraya Borgeous had an interactive session with the children and asked them to list out their rights. The children readily replied that they had a right to education, food, shelter, clothing etc. Ms. Borgeous then explained to them that there are four categories of rights which cover civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of every child they are: Right to Survival; Right to Protection; Right to Participation and the Right to development. Universally Child Rights are defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC) she added.

Ms. Borgeous also explained the various forums that deal with matters of children such as the Child Welfare Committee, the Juvenile Justice Board and Children’s Court. Ms. Borgeous cited a few successes stories of rescued children leading a better life due to their efforts.

A small animated film in Konkani was then shown to the crowd. The film explained how a sweet friend or relative can turn out to be you worst enemy. It highlighted what as ‘Bad touch’ was. 

At the close of the session Prof. Sonal Sardessai explained to the people what free legal aid is and how the society could benefit from it instead of spending money for the same elsewhere.

Ms. Yuga gave in the closing note and thanked each and everyone who was a part of the programme. 

Awareness on Child Rights @ Anjuna Free Legal Aid Cell

The members of Anjuna Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M Salgaocar College Of Law in collaboration with the Childline Goa, organized a legal literacy programme on "Childline Awareness", on 11th  Feb 2017 in the Sacred Heart Of Jesus High School,Anjuna.     

Miss.Pranita Calangutkar, the councilor of the NGO and her two teammates,  Harshal Mandrekar and Vineeta Gadekar, were the guest speakers and Professor Andruysha D'costa E Pinho, the Faculty in-charge of cell attended the program.   

Ms. Vineeta Gadekar began the session with a brief introduction of the Childline and a talk was delivered by Ms.Pranita Calangutkar explained all four rights of the children beautifully with the help of power point presentation. The session comprised of illustrative cases, educational movie and interaction with the audience. The session went on for about 1 hour and was attended by more than 40 villagers. 

The session ended with a demo and trial of calling 1098, the childline number to understand its working and to understand how it is to be approached. The programme was organised under the guidance of faculty in-charge professor Andruysha D'costa E Pinho. Mr. John Fernandes, Cell member delivered the vote of thanks.

The talk was very informative and the people were very interactive .After the session three of the families immediately approached childline for help which showed that efficacy of the program. 

Legal Literacy Program @ Marcela Free Legal Aid Cell

Marcela Free Legal Aid Cell organised an awareness program on Prevention of Child Abuse on 12th February 2017 at Panchayat Hall Amona, Amona Goa. The program was held in association with Childline, an NGO working on Child Rights in Goa.

Ms Pranita Calangutkar, MA in psychology, working at Childline as counselor, was the resource person. She was accompanied by Childline volunteer Mr. Pawan Kumar. Amona Panchayat Panch Mrs.Ujwala Sawant also attended the program.

Ms. Pranita spoke on the various rights of the child including, right to survival, rights to development and right to protection. The various abuses on children were discussed and an educational video was shown.

Mr. Tanmai Gawas, Cell Member compered the program and Ms Vignesha Shet, the student in-charge proposed the vote of thanks. Almost 70 people attended the program

Goa Velha Free Legal Aid Cell – Awareness Campaign on Child Rights

The members of Goa Velha Free Legal Aid Cell of V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, Goa in collaboration with the childline, an organization that works for the protection and welfare of children organised a legal literacy program, a talk on CHILD RIGHTS, on 11th February 2017 in the Church Hall of the St . Andrews Church situated at Goa Velha.

Miss. Jessica Pereira and Miss. Suraya Borges, the team volunteers of childline were the guest speakers and Prof. Gomati Desai, the faculty in charge of the cell also attended the program.

Ms. Srushti Patil, the Student in charge, introduced the guest speakers. Ms Jessica began the session with a brief introduction of the child line, about its objectives and its functioning. Miss Suraya spoke on rights of children. She explained the four most important rights that a child has with the help of a power point presentation. She illustrated  various cases that childline had come across in Goa and showed a video on the rights of children which made the session very interactive. After that she informed the audience about the helpline number for children-1098 and its functioning. The session ended with a demo and a trial of calling 1098 to understand how it works and how it's to be approached. The session was for one hour and was attended by twenty people. 

The cell member, Jatan Rodrigues delivered the vote of thanks The program was organized under the guidance of Prof. Gomati Desai, the faculty incharge of the cell. The session was very informative and of great help to the people. The efforts taken by the cell members made the program successful.

Guirim Free Legal Aid Cell – Program on Child Rights

The program was organized by the Gurim Free Legal Aid Cell in collaboration with Childline, on the 11th of February, 2017 in order to spread awareness about the rights of children. The program was held at Guirim Panchayat Hall.  The faculty in charge of the Cell, Prof. Pearl Monteiro was present for the same.

It was an hour long session and commenced at 3:30 pm. The members had conducted campaigning in the neighbourhood day in advance, which ensured an audience of about people, of which 22 were children from the neighboring schools.

Human Rights of the Child - Legal Literacy @ Old Goa Free Legal Aid Cell

Old Goa Free Legal Aid Cell conducted legal literacy programme on 31^st January 2017, under the able guidance of faculty in – charge of the cell Prof. Dr. Nagesh Colvalkar on topic titled ‘Human Rights in relation to Child Rights’ at V.V.S Kunkoliekar Higher Secondary School, Ela,Old-Goa. Child Rights members (CRG - NGO) of the State of Goa Ms. Nishtha Desai and Ms. Sushma Pawar graced the function. Ms. Lorna Lotlikar, Principal of V.V.S Higher Secondary School, Old-Goa also showed her presence on the occasion.

The programme commenced with welcome address and introduction of the guests given by student cell member Ms. Maria Cota Viegas. Ms. Nishtha Desai explained the history behind child rights, while narrating the story of a minor girl 9 years old by name Mary Ellen who was physically and mentally abused. In 1873, Ella Wheeler, a social worker came to know the condition of Mary and helped her through the support of ‘American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’.

This was the main cause which led to the establishment of ‘New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Childrens’ in 1875, which was the 1^st remarkable and bold step taken in the annals of the history of United Nation Conventions on the Rights of the Child. This cause was supported by India, on 11^th December 1992 by ratifying the Convention. 

Ms. Nishtha further proceeded to state that, Childrens Rights in Goa (CRG) is dedicated to improving the status of children’s in the state. It creates awareness on the rights of the child and is committed to prevent child abuse and exploitation of children. It is also committed to promote gender justice through the activities it conducts. Focussing on the ‘best interest principle’; the rights of the child which includes the Right to Survival, the Right to Development, the Right to Protection and the Right to Participation and stressing on the fact that offence against the child warrants penalty, Ms. Nishtha discussed on the constitution of CRC. Other serious issues which can be eradicated only by honest commitment from people at large were also discussed such as Female Foeticide; Child Labour; Beggary; Child Sexual Abuse; Child Sexual Exploitation; Corporal Punishment and Negligence.

Another key note speaker from CRG, Ms. Sushma Pawar explained the legislation relating to the Goa Childrens’ Act (2003) with special reference to zero rejection in school, health cards for all the children’s, internet safety etc. Other child related laws were also highlighted such as Child Labour (Prevention & Regulation Act 1986); Right to Education Act; Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act; Juvenile Justice Act, etc.

The session was informative and interactive. The programme ended with refreshments and vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ellysen Dias Sapeco.