The District Legal Services Authority Thiruvananthapuram in association with the Kerala State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority is organizing a pan India Legal Awareness and outreach campaign, a legal services camp and expo for the vulnerable sections of the society in collaboration with Kerala Arts & Crafts Village, Vellar Thiruvananthapuram.
The program was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit Judge Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority(NALSA) under the gracious presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice K. Vinod Chandran Judge, High Court of Kerala and Executive Chairman KELSA; Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.V. Bhatti, Judge High Court of Kerala & Portfolio Judge, Thiruvananthapuram; Hon’ble Mr. Justice Alexander Thomas Judge High Court of Kerala & President Board of Governors, KSMCC; Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Muhammed Mustaque Judge High Court of Kerala & Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee; Shri K. Gopalakrishna Kurup Advocate General of Kerala; Smt. Saradha G. Muralidharan IAS Addl. Chief Secretary (Local Self Government), Kerala; Shri Anil Kant IPS DGP & State Police Chief, Kerala and Shri S.S. Balu President Bar Association, Thiruvananthapuram.
The objective of the campaign is to empower the marginalized sections of the society by creating awareness about their rights and provide easy access to free legal aid. To ensure that each and every wing of the society from Kudumbasree to the Kerala Police to paralegals to Judicial Officers organize awareness campaign drives and innovative programs that makes sure no one is deprived of their right to know their rights.
The program kicked off with the NALSA theme song followed by the lighting of the lamp, indicating the start of the campaign. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit’s was the highlight of the program that focused on the need for providing free legal aid to those who deserve and to eradicate the ignorance of the Constitutionally guaranteed and recognized rights by the lower strata of the society. To make sure they get a productive environment to reach their maximum potential and provide them comfort with the knowledge that Justice is with them at every juncture.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Alexander Thomas drew an interesting parallel between the Indian Spirituality and Buddhist teachings with that of the Western Philosophy and how there has to be a tectonic shift to encompass the challenges and needs and a radical change that focuses on the relevant needs of our society. Also throwing light on the importance of ADR and mediation services provided the Legal Services Authority.
A tribute was paid to the pioneers of free legal aid Hon’ble Justice. P.N. Bhagwati former CJI and Late Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer who believed legal aid to poor must not be poor legal aid and worked tirelessly to ensure the wings of justice reached every nook and corner of India.
The combined efforts of the several initiatives and programs of Kudumbasree and the Kerala Police have created a pathway for transforming the face of Kerala, the trendsetter in formulating the free legal aid scheme and brought to light the importance of Article 39A. The legal literacy of this state remains unmatched with the people spreading the message about the need to hold the government accountable.
The program concluded with the National Anthem after Shri S.S. Balu speech on the importance of educating the weaker sections of the society and to introduce welfare schemes aimed at providing easy access to instant free legal aid.
