Chaitanya, Shimoga, June 28, 2019: The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority, Shimoga, District Judges Forum, Shimoga Women and Child Welfare Committee, Shimoga, Surabhi Mahila Samaja, Shimoga and Department of Information and Public Relations, Shimoga organized 'Kanunu Kammata,' a unique seminar on legal issues on 28 June 2019 at Chaitanya, Shimoga. Mr Vincent D'Mello, the Coordinator from SMSSS welcomed the dignitaries and the participants. Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto, the Director of SMSSS briefed the audience about the purpose of the programme and also highlighted the work SMSSS is doing for the empowerment of women and children.
The seminar was inaugurated at 10.00 am by Mr Shivaprasad K.B, 1st Additional District & Sessions Judge, Shivamogga. In his address he noted that children are the future of the nation. It is our responsibility to make the children grow in a healthy atmosphere. Chief Guest of the day, Smt. Saraswathi K.N. , Member Secretary, DLSA, Shivamogga said that the District Legal Services Authority provides free legal aid to all those who cannot afford to spend money to deal with legal issues. She also stressed the need to create awareness among women and children about the availability of free legal aid.
Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, the Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga and the President of the Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society, Shimoga had presided over the programme. In his presidential address Bishop Francis Serrao noted that the nation stands on three basic pillars namely Bureaucracy, Judiciary and Legislature and now a fourth one added, that is, Press and Media. When all love each other, there is no need for a legal cell or in other words though legal cell exists, it should become jobless and this is and should be the wish of everyone. Today's Seminar should lead us all to create a society filled with love and peace.
Among the speakers of the day, Mrs Rekha G. M., the president of CWC, Shimoga District and also Project Manager of Surabhi Ujjwala Project spoke in detail about women and children trafficking and what are the stringent laws pertaining to this issue. She also noted how women and children become easy prey under different circumstances and on some occasions they become voiceless.
The second speaker, Mrs Gangabai C. addressed the gathering on Domestic Violence Act. Then Mrs Saroja C. Changolli spoke on POCSO Act and are the punishments related to the violation of the Act.
Dr Hanumanthappa, District Family Welfare Committee Officer spoke on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. The final speaker, Mrs Shama Begum Fakruddhin spoke about mental sickness and related issues.
The days programme ended at 4.30 pm with the vote of thanks proposed by Mrs Precilla Martis, senior staff of SMSSS. Mr Jagadeesha K.H. the Coordinator from SMSSS and the staff worked for the success of the programme. 108 people benefitted from the programme.
