Justice Tashi Rabstan inaugurates Legal Literacy Club at Sudhmahadev
STATE TIMES NEWS
UDHAMPUR: In order to give thrust and significance to the legal education and increase awareness about the legal services activities in district Udhampur, Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (A) of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority, inaugurated a Legal Literacy Club at Government Higher Secondary School, Sudhmahadev, a historic institution established in 1923. This event was held in a remote area of District Udhampur, approximately 60 kilometers from the district headquarters.
Justice Tashi, accompanied by M.K. Sharma, Principal Secretary, and Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, was warmly received by Haq Nawaz Zargar, Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Udhampur, along with other dignitaries including Amod Ashok Nagpure, SSP Udhampur, Ajay Kumar Sharma, Secretary DLSA Udhampur, Vishal Bharti, District Mobile Magistrate, and Prem Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner. The Chief Justice was honored with a ceremonial guard of honor upon arrival.
Following the inauguration, Justice Tashi interacted with Menakshi Sharma, the Teacher-in-Charge, and the 32 students who became members of the newly established Legal Literacy Club, comprising students from classes 9 to 11. He urged them to become ambassadors of legal services and spread legal awareness within their peer groups and the broader community, reinforcing the Legal Services Authority’s motto of “Access to Justice for All.”
The inauguration was marked by an impactful awareness program featuring a Saraswati Vandana performed by the students, setting a reverent tone for the proceedings. In his inaugural address, Justice Tashi praised the school’s century-old educational legacy and the efforts of the Principal and staff in blending traditional values with modern advancements. He highlighted the significant role of women in national progress, expressing admiration for the school’s female students. Justice Tashi emphasized the potential of the students, noting that their capabilities were comparable to or even exceeded those from elite institutions elsewhere in India. He stressed that empowering young women with legal knowledge could drive social change, as they are likely to positively influence their families and communities. He underscored the importance of Legal Literacy Clubs in providing students with knowledge about their legal rights and responsibilities, crucial for fostering a just and fair society. Som Raj, Principal of the school, extended heartfelt thanks to the dignitaries, highlighting the pressing need for legal literacy in rural areas where access to legal resources is limited. He described the Legal Literacy Club as a milestone in integrating legal education into the school’s curriculum, ensuring students are both academically and legally informed.
Haq Nawaz Zargar, Chairman DLSA Udhampur, detailed the objectives of the Legal Literacy Club, which include enhancing students’ understanding of legal rights and responsibilities, encouraging active participation in legal matters, and fostering community-wide legal awareness. Adv. Balwan Singh, a panel lawyer with DLSA Udhampur, provided an insightful presentation on how Legal Literacy Clubs can serve as catalysts for social change, citing successful initiatives where these clubs have addressed local legal issues and educated the public. The program also featured a musical performance by students addressing the dowry system, emphasizing the need for its eradication and reinforcing the event’s focus on legal awareness as a tool for combating societal injustices.
The event concluded with a plantation drive, where dignitaries planted various trees within the school premises. Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, emphasized that initiatives like the Legal Literacy Club reflect the commitment of J&K Legal Services Institutions to empower the younger generation with legal knowledge, fostering a future of informed and responsible citizens.
The proceedings were conducted by Meenakshi Sharma, with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Ajay Sharma, Secretary DLSA Udhampur.
