L R Bureau
Dehradun: The Department of Law at DAV (PG) College organized a one-day Legal Awareness Camp at the auditorium of Apollo International School on Sahastradhara Road, aimed at promoting legal literacy and awareness among students and the public.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Dr. Anil Verma, former Director of Rovers-Rangers, former Vice-President of the Students’ Union, and Chief Advisor of DAV (PG) College, emphasized the importance of legal awareness. He highlighted the legal principle, “Ignorance of law is no excuse,” stating that lack of knowledge of the law cannot be accepted as a defense for committing an offence.
Dr. Verma said legal awareness is essential, particularly for educationally, socially, and economically weaker sections of society, enabling them to understand their rights, government welfare schemes, and access to free legal aid. He urged law students to extend legal awareness initiatives to rural areas and actively assist economically disadvantaged and socially vulnerable people through the District Legal Services Authority.
Apollo International School Chairman Mohit Bansal, who attended as the Guest of Honour, said that legal awareness among the general public in India remains limited and such camps can play a significant role in educating citizens about their rights and responsibilities.
Presiding over the programme, DAV College Principal Prof. (Dr.) Kaushal Kumar highlighted the importance of legal awareness and informed students about constitutional rights and the availability of free legal aid and legal counsel for women, children, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically weaker sections. He encouraged students to become responsible legal professionals and socially committed citizens.
Head of the Law Department Dr. Parul Dixit provided detailed information about career opportunities available after pursuing an LL.B degree. She noted that the selection of 25 DAV College law students as judges over the past decade is a remarkable achievement for the institution.
Under the guidance of programme coordinator and faculty member Dr. Vivek Tyagi, students presented papers and delivered speeches on various legal topics, including rights of persons with disabilities, disaster management, mental health laws, women’s safety, animal protection, free legal aid, child protection, anti-corruption laws, dowry prohibition, inheritance rights, maintenance rights, motor vehicle accident laws, women’s legal rights, and forest laws.
Faculty members Dr. J.S. Chandpuri, Dr. Apoorva Mawai, Dr. Harpreet Kaur, and Dr. Pratima Singh also addressed the gathering. More than 300 law students attended the camp.
The vote of thanks was delivered by senior faculty member Dr. Rajesh Kumar Dubey, while the programme was jointly conducted by students Arnima Kaushik and Kamalpreet.
