The National Seminar on “NyayaSpandana: Empowering Legal Literacy”, organized by the Social Justice Forum of the International Sai Sewa Trust (ISST), concluded successfully on 24th August 2025. The virtual gathering brought together eminent legal experts, educators, grassroots leaders, and social workers in a collective effort to strengthen legal literacy and bridge the gap between legal theory and ground realities.
Voices United for Legal Empowerment
Held under the guiding theme “Voices United for Legal Empowerment,” the seminar provided a vibrant platform to discuss legal rights, civic responsibility, and social justice—particularly in underserved and marginalized communities.
Inaugural Session: Judiciary’s Role in Legal Literacy
The seminar began with a keynote address by Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.G. Shah, Former Judge of the Gujarat High Court, who spoke on “The Judiciary’s Role in Advancing Legal Literacy.”
He emphasized that law and order act as “medicine for the body politic,” quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Justice Shah highlighted how the judiciary has safeguarded constitutional values through landmark rulings, expanding the scope of Article 21 in cases like Keshavananda Bharati.
Guest of Honour: From Awareness to Advocacy
Delivering the Guest of Honour address, Prof. (Dr.) R. Venkata Rao, Vice-Chancellor of IIULER, Goa, and former Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU Bangalore, spoke on “From Awareness to Advocacy: Why Legal Education Matters.”
He underlined the transformative power of legal literacy in shaping empowered citizens who not only understand their rights but also their responsibilities.
Thematic Sessions: Bridging Rights and Realities
The event featured a series of thematic sessions by leading academics and practitioners:
- Dr. Kalpeshkumar L. Gupta – Legal Aid Frameworks & Citizens’ Rights and Duties
- Dr. Rajput Shraddha Bhausingh (HNLU) – Constitutional Law and Governance
- Dr. Uttam Kumar Panda (HNLU) – Legal Awareness and Social Movements: A Sociological Perspective
- Mr. Shailesh Kumar Pandey (Ph.D. Scholar, HNLU) – chaired the technical session and presented “Constitutional Values through a Tribal Lens,” linking academic insight with grassroots realities.
- The Best Presentation Certificate was awarded to Ms. Shruti Singh and Ms. Priyal Shaw from Parul University.
Spotlight on Government Initiatives
A major highlight was the discussion on the DISHA Scheme (2021–2026) and its impact at the grassroots level, with focus on initiatives such as:
- Tele-Law
- Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services)
- Legal Literacy & Awareness Campaigns
Speakers emphasized the need for community-driven models and local legal tools to ensure justice and empowerment for rural citizens.
Organizers and Leadership
The seminar was convened by Mr. Akshit Dwivedi, CEO of ISST and a student at Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU). With over eight years in social activism, he is co-authoring “Decoding the Fundamental Rights.” In recognition of his contributions, he was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Service & Humanitarian Work.
Ms. Dipti Singh, Organising Secretary of the seminar and a core leader at ISST, highlighted the mission of the Social Justice Forum, which advocates for women’s rights, child protection, gender justice, and grassroots empowerment.
About ISST
Founded in 2018 by Shri Krishna Dutta Dwivedi and Smt. Sushila Dwivedi, the International Sai Sewa Trust (ISST) is a NITI Aayog-registered non-profit working in legal aid, child and women welfare, and pro bono activism. Partnering with DLSAs, UPSCPCR, and the Department of Women and Child Development, ISST continues to advance community-based legal reforms and social justice across India.
A Call to Action: Legal Literacy as a Civic Right
The seminar concluded with a strong collective call to recognize legal literacy as a civic right. Experts urged lawyers, educators, and civil society leaders to work together to uphold the constitutional promise of justice, dignity, and equality for all.
True to ISST’s mission, the event and paper presentations were conducted free of cost, affirming its commitment to inclusive knowledge-sharing and equal access to justice.