A Legal Aid Camp at Hatod, Indore has been successfully organized by the SAMATVA-The Legal Aid & CSR Society of NMIMS Indore, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Indore.

The residents of Hatod and the key dignitaries made the camp overwhelming and witnessed the presence of Adv. Ishwarchandra Solanki and Adv. Sajjan Singh Solanki, Panel advocates DLSA, Indore, Mr Akshay Jain, Journalist, along with Dr Ashutosh Hajela, Associate Dean, School of Law, NMIMS-Indore, Mr. Satyanarayan Mandloi, Principal, Government Inter College, Hatod, the faculty coordinators of SAMATVA, Mr Aman Deep Singh and Ms Sunistha Moghe, Assistant Professor, School of Law, NMIMS Indore.

The Camp has several sessions including a free legal aid booth, sensitization by experts on several issues like ‘Prevention of child labour and child sexual abuse’, ‘Protection against domestic violence’, and ‘Information on several government schemes’. Other than such sessions, documentaries on fundamental rights, sexual harassment at the workplace, and girl child education were also shown to the residents to spread awareness.

Students performed a street play on the theme of female feticide and the ever-prevalent dowry system in our society. A door-to-door sensitization and survey drive covering 10 wards of the Hatod tehsil was covered by the NMIMS Students. The legal aid booth consisted of Prof. Sunishtha Moghe from NMIMS Indore and panel advocates from DLSA, Indore and it was approached by the 50 residents of a nearby village for the resolution of their issues which were primarily related to domestic violence, old age and widow pension, maintenance, and availing various government schemes.

In the Camp, Dr. Ashutosh Hajela talked about the importance of legal literacy in society whereas Prof. Aman Deep Singh discussed the scope of legal education and guided students on how to pursue it. The faculty of NMIMS has been approached by many students of Hatod to find possible ways to pursue legal education. The support of residents and officials of Nagar Parishad, Hatod, along with the District Legal Services Authority, Indore made the Legal Aid Camp successful. The Legal Aid Society of NMIMS, SAMATVA, is committed to fostering legal awareness, empowering communities, and ensuring access to justice for all in society.

Dr Ashutosh Hajela presents his views on the noble initiative, “We strongly believe that knowing the law is crucial for creating a society where people feel empowered. Our Legal Aid Camp initiative aims to raise awareness about the rights and protections that every person has. Communities need to be well-informed about their options so they can confidently exercise their rights and pursue justice when necessary. We are dedicated to promoting awareness. Will persist in our endeavour to empower communities and guarantee equal access to justice for everyone.”