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.

Legal Literacy Program at Mala Free Legal Aid Cell

On 18^th December 2016 Mala free legal aid cell conducted a Legal Literacy programme on the topic titled ‘Child Rights’ at Hedgewar Higher Secondary School, Mala.

The programme commenced with the welcome address delivered by the faculty incharge of the cell Prof. Bhakti Naik. The key speakers from child line were Ms. Pranita Kalangutkar and Ms. Jessica Pereira. Jessica Pereira spoke about the objective and functioning of the child line which functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Ms. Parnita Kalangutkar spoke about the works under taken by their organisation which included working for betterment of street children; helping children in distress, orphans; efforts undertaken to prevent child abuse etc. She educated the audience on three abuses against the child i.e. Physical, emotional and sexual and further explained on good and bad touch and the way parents / guardians must handle such cases.  She also enlightened on the rights of the child which included ‘right to survival’, ‘right to education’ etc. A couple of live cases handled by the organisation were also stated at the programme.

An animated video clip which was based on the real case of child abuse was screened. She appealed to the audience categorically stating that child abuse is a grave offence and the distressed or the complainant must immediately contact the helpline no 1098 in any such instances.

The session was informative and interactive. The entire programme was compared by Siddharth Sardesai and it ended with verse of gratitude delivered by Jay Sawaikar.

Dona Paula Free Legal Aid Cell hosts Awareness Session on Child Rights

Dona Paula Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law in association with Childline 1098 organized a legal awareness program on Child Rights and Child Abuse on 17^th Dec 2016 under the guidance of Prof. Aamod Shirali, Faculty in-charge of the cell. The members conducted intensive campaigning in the neighbourhood weeks before the program. The program was held in Shri Satteri Devasthan Mandir in Aivao village in Dona Paula.

Mr. Bhalchandra Bandodker, Student in-charge welcomed the guests and audience. Ms Rashmi, resource person from Childline gave a brief introduction about Childline, followed by the interactive session by Ms Pranita, a counsellor from Childline. The various rights of the children were discussed including the  right to play, right to go to school, right to development, and right to survival.

A short film “Komal” was shown to the audience.  This film had won a National award. The film depicted the story about an eight year old girl Komal who was sexually abused by her father’s friend. The protagonist “Komal” instead of keeping quiet, shares this incident with her parents and her parents approached Childline 1098 for assistance and help. This was followed by a brief discussion on the film and question and answer session.

Ms. Kavita Naik, Cell Member proposed the vote of thanks. The program was attended by about 60 people and was well received by the audience.

Bicholim Legal Aid Cell – Legal Literacy Programme

Bicholim Legal Aid cell of V.M.Salgaocar College of Law in association with Childline conducted Legal Literacy Programme on ‘Child Rights’. The programme was scheduled on December 17th at Bicholim Municipal Hall. The resource persons were Ms. Suzana De Souza, Ms. Vinita Gadekar and Mr. Harshal Mandrekar, all from Childline. A representative faculty from the College, Ms. Shruti Mahambrey was also present. 

The programme was hosted by the student member of the Bicholim Legal Aid Cell Mr. Hrishikesh Vaze.  The programme started by lighting up of the traditional lamp. Hrishikesh Vaze gave a brief introduction about the Legal Aid Society and the services provided by the Bicholim Legal Aid Cell as well as a report of the tasks completed and pending. 

Later, member of Childline, Suzana de Souza, proceeded with the talk by introducing childline & the services provided by them. She stressed on child helpline no. 1098 which can be dialled by the complainant interested to register a complaint against the accused committing an offence against the child or the child can proceed to complaint too. The session incorporated a healthy discussion with the audience on the issues with regard to child assault. 

The speaker also gave instances where a child may have to go through the phase of depression which is indeed painful not only for the child but also the guardian. However the establishment of counselling facilities in schools has provided a platform for such children to put forth their grievances and to resolve their issues. She also generally discussed about the definition of child, their rights in connection with the latest implementation of ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009’. 

The session was followed by an on-screen presentation which projected photographs and conveyed an important message as to ‘realizing child rights’. It was categorically stated that, The ‘Right to Education’ occupies prominence as educating a child can pave a safe journey for life of any child. Parents were conveyed to encourage their children to participate and even to teach how to take decision. A movie KOMAL based on the theme of Child Sexual Abuse was also screened. Finally, Bicholim Legal Aid Cell, Student in-charge, Ms.Tanvi Narvekar proposed the vote of thanks.