IDIA Sensitisation Programme, K.V. Vastrapur, Ahmedabad

The first visit to KV Vastrapur was made on 27th January 2011 by Aditi Sheth, Tridib Bose and Sanyukta Biswas. It was intended to take permission from the principal, Ms. Jamie James for conducting the CLAT awareness workshop for the 11th std students. She permitted and informed us to consult the Physics teacher Vandana who taught physics in 11th std, regarding the date and time of the workshop the legal and subsequent date for legal aptitude test. So to begin with, we told them the future prospective of studying law. Then we told them, the pattern of taking up streams in the 2nd year, so as to let them to know how even science can be an advantage to them. We explained the difference between an NLU and traditional law schools. We told them about the holistic approach towards legal education in NLUs especially adding the emphasis laid on projects, publications, moots, parliamentary debates, model united nations, committees etc. We finally told them about how CLAT and how to go about preparing for it. Then we told them about IDIA project. Its aim to increase cultural diversity at NlUs and efforts to draw marginalized section of students to the mainline. To touch upon humour, I had personally asked them to check good law movies such as To Kill a Mocking Bird and Erin Brockowitch.

The second visit was made on 2nd February 2011 by Aditi Sheth, Sukarn Singh Maini and Sanyukta Biswas to conduct CLAT awareness workshop. The batch consisted of 44 students from science background. The workshop took roughly 40 mins. The students made rather inquisitive and intelligent questions. 22 students showed keen interest in giving the legal aptitude test. We were informed to contact the biology teacher Moushumi who taught 11th std, for the names of those might be interested in giving the legal aptitude test.The test was conducted at K.V. Vastrapur, Ahmedabad on 9th February, 2011. 31 students appeared for the test. 4 of the team members namely, Tirth Bhatt, Shreyasi, Sanyukta Biswas and Vikrant Pachnanda conducted the test. After conducting the same, the papers were checked and 5 students were shortlisted out of which two has scored 23 on 35, two scored 20 on 25 and one scored 17 but got all her legal reasoning correct. When we met these five students in person, three said that they only gave the test to check their aptitude and that they were not interested in law. Out of these three, two also seemed not to have a problem with their income and also stated that they gave the test only to check their aptitude and that they were not interested in pursuing law. The remaining two seemed interesting and also fell within the low income bracket. However one of them has not responded back and the other is not interested in joining IMS although we did asign each of those two students mentors to assist them.

Report compiled by Sanyukta Biswas and Vikrant Pachnanda on behalf of IDIA Gujarat

IDIA Sensitisation Programme at Kendra Vidyalaya, Annanagar, Chennai

The first sensitisation programme of IDIA, Chennai Chapter was conducted in the Kendra Vidyalaya School at Annanagar, Chennai on 5th February, 2011. Mr.Naveen Kumar.M, final year student of the School of Excellence in Law, Chennai addressed the students of the 11th Standard. Around 70 students attended the programme. Mr.Ramamurthy, first year student of the School of Excellence in Law, Chennai also coordinated in conducting the programme. Mr.Naveen started his address by clearing the misconceptions that the young minds had about the legal profession. It was pointed out that ‘Law’ is no more the last resort for ambitious and aspiring students in the present day. The basic set-up of the National Law Schools and other reputed institutions was also highlighted.

The speaker explained about the prospective opportunities that law students would have in the upcoming years. An insight was provided about litigationin Courts, corporate firms and L.P.O’s and also about judicial services. The students who are very keen on the pay packages were informed that as a successful lawyer, one can make money certainly more than what other professionals can earn. The students were informed about the primary goal of IDIA and encouraged to enter into the law schools instead of confining themselves in regular courses. The growth of the Indian Legal system, the lives of great members of the Bar like Palkivala, Chagla were discussed in the course of the programme. A sound message was sent that if our country is to be driven in the right direction as many right thinking people expect, it was possible only with the active support of members of the bar and the bench. Mr.Naveen also spoke about the  scholarships available for poor students and the support that shall be extended by IDIA in this connection.

Further, the opportunities what a law school student could have like attending International moot courts, internships, debates and conferences was elucidated in the programme. Before the concluding remarks, the students were invited to clarify their queries. It was surprising to note that around 7 to 8 students had very interesting and thought-provoking questions. One girl student asked about opportunities for an academician in law schools. The speaker replied that if she gets into law teaching, she will certainly become one among the best law teachers of tomorrow. Most of the questions came from the girl students compared to that from the boys. The Principal and teachers were very accommodative and it is certain that the IDIA movement shall become a big success in Tamil Nadu.