We collaborated with the PCGT for the visit. The PCGT has a beautiful programme under it, named “Kuchh Aur.” Kuchh Aur focuses on Value education for responsible citizens and we selected BMC Schools, Private schools and aided schools in Mumbai. Its aim is to inculcate values. Its Sessions with students allow them to interact freely and understand why values are important in daily life. Ms. Hemangi Sawant, the programme executive for PCGT’s Kuchh Aur programme was also present with our Pro Bono Team.
On May 9th 2023, a group of volunteers affiliated to the pro bono at MNLU, Mumbai along with the PCGT team visited a community in Mankhurd, a suburb in eastern Mumbai, to spread legal awareness among the children residing there. The objective of the visit was to educate the children about their fundamental rights, fundamental duties, as well as the Preamble of the Constitution of India. Legal awareness is a crucial aspect of every society as it empowers citizens to understand their rights and duties. In India, the Constitution and Preamble are the fundamental documents that provide the framework for governance. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of their rights and duties, especially the less educated ones. To address this issue, a legal awareness program was conducted at Jan Jagruti Vidyarthi Sangh, Mandala center, Mankhurd community, and this report highlights the response of children to the program.
The volunteers started by interacting with the children in an informal setting, asking them about their daily lives and experiences. They then moved on to the core of the session, where they explained the concept of fundamental rights, such as the right to education, right to food, right to shelter, and right to a clean environment. The children were also taught about their fundamental duties, such as respecting the national flag, following traffic rules, and paying taxes. The volunteers then went on to explain the importance of the Preamble, which is the introductory part of the Constitution of India. They explained to the children that the preamble is like the soul of the Constitution and it sets out the objectives and principles of the Constitution. After that, the children were taught to recite the Preamble, and volunteers assisted them in understanding the meaning of each word. The visit was a success, as the children showed a keen interest in learning about their rights and duties as citizens of India. They also learned about the importance of the Constitution and how it protects their fundamental rights. The volunteers distributed pamphlets and other educational materials to the children, which they could use to reinforce their learning. In conclusion, the legal awareness visit at the Centre was an important step in spreading awareness about legal rights and duties among the underprivileged sections of society. The visit was an eye-opener for the children, who learned about their rights and duties as responsible citizens of India. The volunteers hope to continue this initiative in the future and reach out to more children in similar settings.
MEMBERS:
The team of volunteers from the Pro Bono Cub consisted of :
1. Vedant Mainkar (3rd Year)
2. Siddhi Indoria (1st Year)
3. Falguni Suryawanshi (4th Year)
4. Teesha Bathija (1st Year)
5. Vaishnavi (4th Year)
The program received an overwhelming response from children. The children were ecstatic to learn about the Constitution and the Preamble. They took an active role in the activities and discussions, and they asked insightful questions. The children recognized the importance of the Constitution and Preamble in shaping India's democracy and were proud to be citizens of a democratic country. The legal education program was a success in teaching children about the Constitution and the Preamble. The program educated children on their rights and responsibilities, empowering them to become active citizens. Children responded positively to the program and expressed a desire to learn more. Such legal awareness programs can be extremely beneficial in terms of empowering citizens and fostering a more just and equitable society.