DSLSA Celebrates 'Arushi: Umeed Ki Kiran' Project Milestone with Delhi's Legal Community
Delhi State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with Central and West District Authorities and Directorate of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi organized ‘First Milestone Ceremony’ of the project “Arushi: Umeed Ki Kiran” on 16th September, 2023 at NDMC Convention Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi.
The programme was graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Chief Justice of Delhi/Patron-in-Chief, DSLSA; Hon’ble Mr.Justice Siddharth Mridul, Judge, High Court of Delhi/ Executive Chairperson, DSLSA; Hon’ble Ms. Justice Rekha Palli, Judge, High Court of Delhi/Chairperson, Hon’ble Juvenile Justice Committee alongwith other companion Hon’ble Judges of High Court of Delhi.
Ld. Principal District & Sessions Judges of various districts in Delhi, Ld. Principal Judges, Family Courts and Ld. Secretaries of DSLSA and DLSAs attended the aforesaid programme. The programme was also attended by Secretary (Education), Directorate of Education alongwith Director (Education) and Deputy Director (Education), EVGC. Chairperson, NDMC also graced the occasion.
Through Project Arushi, this Authority has adopted a unique way to reach out to school students, which may be called the “Trickle-Down Approach” that involves working with Educational and Vocational Guidance Counselors (EVGCs) who are employed in government schools. These Guidance Counsellors play an important role in shaping the personaility of students and helping children to navigate through difficult situations faced by them in school as well as family environment.
The project Arushi was launched on 31st July 2023 with 475 Guidance Counsellors, targeting about 13,15,282 government school students. The Counsellors were divided into four batches across Delhi and dedicated interactive sessions were delivered by Judicial Officers/other Experts on Right to free legal aid, Legal Services Authorities Act, Introduction to Civil and Criminal Justice System, Cyber safety, laws relating to children including POCSO & Juvenile Justice Act and laws relating to women including Domestic Violence Act to build capacity of these Counsellors to face everyday socio-legal issues considering children and to empower them by making the legal and legal services institutions more accessible and approachable. Field Visits were also organized to Delhi District Courts, Vulnerable Witness Deposition Complexes, Child Care Institutions, Tihar Jail, Observation Homes, Drug De-Addiction Centres, Rehabilitation Centres and even Police Stations.
Cultural performances of the students curated for the visiting dignitaries were also the highlights of the programme. A dedicated hand-book of basic laws specially prepared for EVGCs was also launched by the Hon’ble dignitaries today.
By way of a unique E-initiative, Bulk SMSs were also sent to 8,73,800 persons including Hon’ble dignitaries on and off the dias, teachers, EVGCs and parents of school students by our Authority to make them aware about the availability of free Legal Aid and Services at various District Legal Services Authorities and 24x7 helpline number 1516 or 15100.
The programme was well received and appreciated by the dignitaries and audience who concluded the same with a huge round of applause.