The Pro Bono club at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai engages the best academic talent of the university students to champion the cause of justice in marginalized and vulnerable communities. By enrolling students in the Nyaya Bandhu (pro-bono legal services club) Programme, it collaborates with various government departments, and lawyers as well as with private and public bodies. The pro bono club sows the seeds of social work and the zeal to contribute to a social cause in the minds of young students allowing them to make a positive impact and gain valuable insights into social work. Eternal Hope Charity Mission (EHCM), a beacon of compassion and transformation, originated in the vibrant heart of Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India. Established in 1993, with a profound purpose that encompasses aged care, child welfare, employment issues, education challenges, food and nutrition concerns, not to mention women's matters. The organization stands on these pillars, a testament to its holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted dimensions of human need.
ECM is a notable social service organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged groups across India, including abandoned infants, street children, the elderly, and women in need. Its mission goes beyond providing shelters, as it aims to procure land to build homes specifically for orphaned infants and destitute children. Among its various initiatives, ECM has established a shelter that serves as a safe haven for street children.
EHCM's commitment to amplifying unheard voices is epitomized by its media center, a channel that allows stories of resilience and triumph to reverberate. The complex mosaic of empowerment and upliftment includes postnatal care for orphaned infants; nursery school educational classes; nourishment programs; literacy classes; and counselling sessions specifically tailored for street children. On 16th October, 2023, at 2:07 pm a group of Pro Bono Associates visited an NGO in Nerul, an upmarket residential node in Navi Mumbai to spread legal awareness. The main purpose of the visit was to educate the children there about the Constitution and its Preamble. The predominant aim was to empower the children about their fundamental rights and fundamental duties as listed in the Constitution and also make them more aware of the various terms and concepts enshrined in the Preamble, such as sovereign, secular, equality, etc.
It is imperative to teach children about the Constitution from a young age because it enshrines the fundamental rights of Indian citizens, including the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, right to life, etc. These rights are crucial for safeguarding individual liberties and promoting social justice. Moreover, the Constitution establishes India as a democratic republic, here power is vested in the hands of the people. It sets the framework for free and fair elections, ensuring that the government is accountable to the electorate.
Furthermore, it is also important to educate the children about their fundamental duties, which are the moral and civic obligations that citizens are expected to uphold as responsible members of the nation. The session started with an introduction of the children. The Associates asked the names of the children. The first topic that was taught was the Preamble of the Constitution. All the concepts were explained interactively.
By giving examples of cartoon characters and movies, the Associates explained several concepts such as sovereignty, secularism, democracy, fraternity, justice, etc. Then, the children were taught fundamental rights, which was the primary goal of today’s session. Significant fundamental rights, such as the Right to Education, Right to Freedom of Religion, Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression, and Right to Equality were explained in a highly engaging manner.
The last part of the teaching session was explaining to the children what fundamental duties are. The Associates talked about the importance of the duty of every citizen to clean their surrounding environment and the significance of the fundamental duty to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. With this, the session was concluded and now it was time for a quick recap of what was explained.
This was followed by an interactive and engaging quiz wherein the students were rewarded with chocolates for correct answers and were encouraged to speak up and share their opinions. This quiz helped healthily fuel their inquisitiveness and competitiveness. The questions of this quiz covered a vast multitude of topics ranging from constitution, rights, duties and other topics that were covered throughout the entirety of the session. The session was concluded in a heartwarming fusion of creativity and compassion, as we hosted an art competition for students; this event transcended traditional creative boundaries. The young talents painted dreams of change--vibrant expressions flowing through their brushstrokes. Indeed, the event turned into a canvas of hope as art gave ignition to a brighter future for all.
The team of Pro Bono Associates Included
1. Nilotpal Singh (3rd Year)
2. Preeti Zalwar (2nd Year)
3. Diya Mishra (2nd Year)
4. Samuddhi Nanoskar (2nd Year)
5. Sminal Badge (2nd Year)
6. Aryan Sharma (2nd Year)
7. Ritaja Chattopadhyay (Ist Year)
8. Sushant Ghule (Ist Year)