A two-day Paralegal Volunteer (PLV) workshop was organized on November 7 and 8, 2025, in Sirmaur, Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, under the joint auspices of Bharosa Seva Samiti, PAIRVI, Nyaya Foundation, and Bahini Darbar. The primary objective of the workshop was to empower participants with legal knowledge and procedures, enabling them to act as an effective ‘bridge’ between the marginalized sections of society and the judicial system to ensure access to justice.
The first day of the workshop commenced with a collective reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, followed by an in-depth discussion on legal foundations and fundamental rights. Advocate Ramsujan Verma explained in detail the fundamental rights from Articles 12 to 32 of the Indian Constitution, specifically focusing on equality (Article 14), prohibition of discrimination (Article 15), and the abolition of untouchability (Article 17). Additionally, Usha Yadav highlighted the importance of rural journalism through the ‘Bahini Darbar’ handwritten magazine, while ADJ Ram Singh Kanoujia shared information about legal structures ranging from the national level (NALSA) to the tehsil level and methods for obtaining free legal aid. Officials from the Department of Women and Child Development raised awareness about government schemes against social evils such as child marriage and domestic violence.
The second day’s sessions focused primarily on advocacy, skill development, and police procedures. Neelu Dahiya explained to the participants that advocacy means not just providing legal aid, but also effectively raising the community’s voice to the system. Through the communication and storytelling session, Anupam Anoop taught the art of presenting social issues in simple language. In the session on police procedures, Sirmaur SDOP Umesh Prajapati shared practical knowledge about FIR, ‘Zero FIR’, and cybercrimes, while ADJ Kanoujia shed light on the POCSO Act and child safety laws with sensitivity.