Seminar held on ‘Legal Aid and Constitution’

GANGTOK, 12 June: Eminent jurist and former Judge of Rajasthan High Court Justice (retd.) SV Dave interacted with young members of the legal fraternity on ‘Legal Aid and Constitution’ here at Chintan Bhawan today. The seminar on ‘Legal Aid and Constitution’ was organized by the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority.
Speaking during the seminar, Justice Dave stressed on the need to give a careful reading of Constitutional provisions basically the fundamental rights and duties and urged the students from various schools and colleges to understand the very basic structure and evolution of the Indian Constitution and accordingly to serve the nation.
The 84-year-old retired Judge said that the soul of the Indian Constitution is ultimately to dedicate ourselves to the people. “Whatever we are getting is from the people, whatever we are rendering is of the people and to the people”, he stated.
He also reminded the lawyers to dedicate their services to the people, since large number of jurists have sacrificed their lives for the nation and its people. This is the essence of being a learned member of the society, he added.
Justice Dave also urged the para legal volunteers to extend their services and not limit themselves. He appealed to them to inform the masses on their rights and duties.
In the seminar, Chief Justice of Sikkim, Narendra Kumar Jain underlined the need for delivery of speedy justice to the people where he mentioned that Sikkim does not have long pending cases in contrast to the nation which is overburdened with more than 3 crore cases pending for disposal.
Justice Jain said that the essence of Legal Aid is to make every person aware of their fundamental rights, which are guaranteed under the constitutional provisions.
Justice S P Wangdi, who is also Executive Chairman of the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority underlined the basic principles of 42nd Constitutional Amendment and said that SSLSA has tried its best to reach out to the public to render justice to the common people.
He also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Sikkim Legal Services Authority like Lesson in Law for classes IX and XI which includes the fundamental duties and rights.
The seminar was also addressed by Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University, Prof TB Subba.