Kargil: The second day of the Orientation, Induction, Refresher, and Community Mediation Training Programme for Adhikaar (Para Legal Volunteers) was successfully held Friday under the banner of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kargil.
The programme focused on empowering volunteers with vital knowledge of government welfare schemes, child protection laws, juvenile justice, and methods for community-based support and mediation.
The session began with an informative lecture by Samina Khatoon, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), who discussed a range of government welfare schemes available for the general public—especially for vulnerable groups like women, widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and young adults.
She emphasized the crucial role of Para Legal Volunteers in identifying beneficiaries and linking them with appropriate schemes such as old-age pension, widow support, and pre/post-matric scholarships for children from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
She also mentioned the Senior Citizen Card scheme, highlighting how these provisions ensure dignity and support to the elderly.
Following her address, Dr. Niyaz Ali, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), provided a detailed overview of child rights and care institutions under Mission Vatsalya.
He informed the volunteers about five functioning Child Care Institutions in Kargil, offering shelter, education, and holistic support to orphans and underprivileged children.
Referring to the Right to Education (RTE) enshrined in the Constitution of India, he urged the volunteers to report cases of child labour or school dropouts.
“Children are the future of our society. It is our shared responsibility to bring them into the mainstream,” he said, calling for collective action to build a more inclusive and nurturing environment.
The next session was led by Ms. Deldan Angmo, Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, Kargil, who spoke on the Juvenile Justice Act. She explained how children in conflict with the law must be treated with compassion and guided through reformation.
She described the structure of the Juvenile Justice Board and shared insights into rehabilitation, legal procedures, and protection mechanisms. “We must protect children from criminalization and instead offer them hope and opportunity,” she stated.
To complement her talk, Advocate Ali delivered a compelling presentation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
He highlighted legal safeguards against child abuse and urged the volunteers to spread awareness of the “Good Touch and Bad Touch” concept among school children and families.
He emphasized the importance of confidentiality, timely reporting, and emotional support for victims, making it clear that Para Legal Volunteers are vital first responders in such cases.
The programme continued with an open discussion where all speakers responded to queries from the volunteers. Participants shared their own field experiences, challenges in implementation, and ways to improve outreach.
The second day of the Adhikaar training programme successfully deepened the knowledge of Para Legal Volunteers on social security schemes, child protection, and the juvenile justice system.
With strong participation from key officers and subject experts, the sessions encouraged proactive volunteerism and a collective approach toward building a safe, aware, and just society in Kargil.
