Vice-President inaugurates pan India campaign 'Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman' to commemorate the 75th Year of India as Republic

To commemorate the 75^th Year of India as Republic, a year –long pan India campaign ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman’ was inaugurated by the  Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today  at Dr Ambedkar International Centre. The campaign aims to reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India and celebrate the shared values that bind our nation. This nationwide initiative envisaged to instill a sense of pride and responsibility to uphold the ideals outlined in the constitutional framework. It will also give opportunity to every citizen to participate in various ways, empower them to contribute in meaningful way in our democratic journey.

To earmark this milestone, the  Vice-President planted a sapling and paid floral tribute to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s statue. This was followed by the address of Attorney General of India, Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Secretary, Department of Justice.

In his address the Vice President reminded that we are entering into 75^th year of India as Republic and witnessed growth of India in sub-continent. He said, “Rise of Bharat is unstoppable, let us contribute to nuclear speed, rocket speed of its growth”.   Vice President exhorted  that we should read and understand our Constitution and especially our fundamental duties in nation building.

Speaking on the occasion,  Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted importance of 24^th January in Constitutional history. He pointed out that under Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign efforts are made to legally empower marginalized communities so that they can assert their rights and access  justice. He further mentioned that three important organs of Indian Democracy derive their power from the Constitution. Our Constitution is both rigid and flexible at the same time.

Shri R Venkataramani, Attorney General of India said “the deepest feelings Baba Saheb Ambedkar had for making the Constitution a living document, I think all of us must go through that by reading our constitution itself”

Shri S.K.G. Rahate, Secretary (Department of Justice) outlined the ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman’ campaign, emphasizing its goal to sensitize citizens about the Constitution, legal rights and duties. This initiative aims to empower citizens to contribute meaningfully to building a developed India by 2047.

He further  explained the key components of the Campaign Sabko Nyay – Har Ghar Nyaya as it aims to connect the villagers through the Village Level Entrepreneurs of the Common Service Centers and exalt them to read Sabko Nyay pledge; ‘Nyaya Sahayaks’ which will spearhead awareness about the various citizen- centric legal services to the masses, at their door steps across aspirational blocks and districts. At the State/UT level, Nyaya Seva Mela would be organized which would serve as platforms for individuals to seek guidance, information and support on various legal as well as other services and schemes of the government.

Shri Rahate  informed about Nav Bharat Nav Sankalp which aims to encourage the masses to embrace the resolutions of Panch Pran by reading the Panch Pran Pledge. The citizens would get the opportunity to showcase their talent and creativity by participating in Panch Pran Rangotsav (Poster Making competition); Panch Pran Anubhav (Reel/Video making competition). The citizens will also get the chance to test their knowledge on Constitution in engaging way. The activities would be hosted at the My Gov platform. The third activity Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyan aims to involve the students to carry the message Panch Pran in the villages adopted by the Law colleges, under the Pro Bono Club scheme. It aims to disseminate the legal information of the rights responsibilities and entitlements in very engaging, entertaining and memorable way. It also aims to touch the vulnerable sections of society through Gram Vidhi Chetna, Vanchit Varg Samman and Nari Bhagidari initiatives.

During the Event, the Nyaya Setu was launched by the Vice-President which is a significant and transformative step aimed to extend and expand the reach of legal services till the last mile. It will provide a unified legal interface for legal information, legal advice and legal assistance and thus enable a more inclusive and just society.

The Event also witnessed the release of the achievement booklet of the Scheme on Access to Justice ‘Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice’ (DISHA). Under DISHA scheme Tele Law Programme has connected 67 lakh+ citizens for pre-litigation advice through the use of Tele-Law Citizens Mobile App and via 2.5 lakh Common Service Centers (CSC) situated in 36 States and UTs in the country.  The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme aims to decentralize and create a dispensation framework for the Pro Bono Legal Services programme. It has created a network of 10,000+ of Probono advocates across 24 Bar Councils, created Nyaya Bandhu Panels in 25 High Courts and constituted Pro Bono Clubs across 89 Law schools in the country. In addition to this, more than 7 lakh beneficiaries have been sensitized and made aware on their legal rights and duties and entitlements through webinars and legal literacy programmes being implemented through support of 14 implementing agencies across the country.

Simultaneously, the event also brought together representatives from Bhashini and IGNOU to formalize their collaboration with Department of Justice. The partnership with Bhashini would break the barriers of language in accessibility to justice. The solutions of Bhashini have already been embedded in the Nyay Setu – Tele Facilitation of legal services. The partnership with IGNOU will open the opportunity for Paralegals to acquire certifications in diverse fields of law, enhance their educational opportunities and increase their skills and employability across different sectors of legal assistance and support.

650+ students and faculty of the Pro Bono Law colleges, Tele-Law functionaries from Common Service Centres across the country came together in this event among others . The Campaign ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman’ is being undertaken by Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.

****

SS/TFK