Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justices Songkhupchung Serto and Lanusungkum Jamir of Gauhati High Court and others during the inauguration of NSLSA’s Legal Services Clinic at the Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) on December 11.
Morung Express News
Patkai | December 11
In what was adjudged as a ‘momentous day’ by a legal luminary in attendance, as well as a ‘red letter day’ by the college principal, a legal services clinic was inaugurated at the Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) Seithekema-Chümoukedima on December 11.
The 132nd Legal Services Clinic under the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) was inaugurated by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Judge, Supreme Court of India in the presence of Justice Songkhupchung Serto, Judge, Gauhati High Court & Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee, Kohima Bench and Justice Lanusungkum Jamir, Judge, Gauhati High Court & Executive Chairperson, NSLSA, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Kaul noted that legal awareness is a very important in the process of enforcement and assertion of rights. Accordingly, he said that the NLSA’s endeavour is to make the society a peaceful place that learns to survive together by resolving their disputes through informal methodologies.
“It may sound a little exaggeration if one says, today is a momentous day not only for this college but for the State of Nagaland and the entire region of NE India,” Justice Serto postulated in his opening remark, before submitting that the ‘fitness of things,’ indeed proves so.
To buttress his contention, he said that when the college started in the early 70s, it had ‘bamboos as pillars and thatch for roofs’ but had vision to build and produce people, who will impact the societies in the region.
During the past few decades, it has already produced leaders in different fields and people with standings in every works of life who have already impacted the NE region, the Judge stated. “People of this region are witnesses to this truth.”
The commitment, dedication and the spirit of sacrifice of the founders, teaching and non-teaching staff of the college towards achieving their vision are something rare, he added.
“So, when we open a Legal Services Clinic at this college today, which is but a humble effort to help people of this college and the surrounding areas to get things done through lawful means, I have no doubt that it is going to add one more dimension to the already existing faculties of the college, and it is definitely going to help in, its pursued to impact the societies in the region and without,” he maintained.
Not only that, a person none other than the Executive Chairperson of the NLSA should have come all the way to do open the clinic in spite of his busy schedule, is nothing but, in fitness of things, Justice Serto opined.
“For all these reasons, one can boldly say that today is indeed a momentous day not only for this college but for the state of Nagaland and the entire region,” he asserted, expressing his hope and prayers that the legal clinic would be a medium through which many lives would be empowered and transformed.
Functioning of NSLSA, DLSAs
Meanwhile, giving an overview of the NSLSA, Justice Jamir noted that it was constituted in March, 1999 and headed by the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court as Patron-in-Chief and assisted by the Executive Chairperson, who is a Judge of the Gauhati HC.
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) was constituted in March, 2001 for implementation of the legal service programmes in the districts and presently there are 11 DLSAs, while steps are being taken to establish in other remaining districts of the State, he said.
With the inclusion of Patkai, there are 132 Legal Clinics functioning across the State in villages, communities, schools, colleges and jails, added Justice Jamir.
In addition, there are 110 legal literacy clubs in various schools and colleges across the State while there are 105 Panel Lawyers in the State Level, High Court Legal Services Committee and the District and 188 Para Legal Volunteers.
He further highlighted how Para Legal Volunteers as well as NSLSA have won several national and zonal accolades over the years.
The legal aid is not a programme of the judiciary alone but of one and all for the development of the society, Justice Jamir opined, adding that the Para Legal Volunteers and lawyers are the backbone of this scheme.
Culture of Conciliation
Apart from the basic legal advice, their sincerity and earnestness are also required in helping the villagers, students and others for solving their day to day transactions like applying for ration or job cards under MGNREGA or to avail other schemes introduced for their benefits, he noted.
The legal aid scheme across the State must seek the help of the local body institutions and the district administration for creating legal awareness amongst the people, he added.
Justice Jamir further reiterated that the NALSA mandate is to develop and promote the culture of conciliation instead of litigation so that the citizens of the State prefer to resolve their disputes and differences across the table in the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood.
“It is hoped and expected that this college should be a place where justice should be taught and the notion of justice should be spoken and disseminate to the people,” he added.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, PCC Principal Dr Thepfuvilie Pierü, Principal expressed appreciation on behalf of the college to the NSLSA for opening the clinic and called it a ‘red letter day.’
The PCC’s Margaret Shishak School of Music also rendered the NSLSA theme song, ‘Justice for Everyone’ while students of Spring Buds Children's Home presented a special song.
Among others, Justice Kaul’s wife Shivani Kaul, Justice Jamir’s wife Pongen Lanumenla Jamir, Ashok Kumar Jain, Member Secretary, NLSA; Nino Iralu, Secretary (Judicial), Department of Justice and Law, Nagaland; Santosh Snehi Mann, OSD, NALSA; Mezivolou T Therieh, OSD, NALSA; judicial officers; officers of the Gauhati HC, Kohima bench; Bar Association members and others attended the inauguration.
