On 8th July, 2026, the Legal Awareness programme on Child Rights was organised by the team of Justice (Sir) Ashutosh Mookerjee Chair, the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata held in the campus of Sukantanagar Vidya Niketan School, Salt Lake, Kolkata.
The Legal Awareness programme on Child Rights was a valuable simulation designed to empower the children in schools on child rights enacted by the legislature for care and protection of children of the country. The programme featured an introductory speech, brief explanation of various child-specific laws accompanied by interesting activities like brainstorming session for active engagement of the children. A promising total of 98 students of the Sukantanagar Vidya Niketan School actively participated in the session organised by the said chair.
The event started with a brief introductory speech delivered by ‘Chair Professor Dr. Shachi Chakrabarty’, of Justice (Sir) Ashutosh Mookerjee Chair at NUJS explaining the meaning and importance of the awareness programmes on child rights. The Chair Professor explained the concept and significance of child rights along with the issue of child marriage, while highlighting the key international and domestic legal frameworks that safeguard the rights and welfare of the children. She quoted that “the child is the father and the pillar of the nation,” who contributes to the growth and development of the country. They are the bedrocks of the nation’s future which would shape the economic, social and cultural aspects of the country thus, leading to the progress of the nation. In the 21st century with the rapid advancement of science and technology, she also sensitised the students about the increasing cyber risks faced by children, including offences committed against them as well as instances where children may inadvertently become involved in unlawful activities in the digital space. Hence, with the growing crimes in today’s growing technology-driven world with the increase usage of social media among the children, she discussed on digital literacy, online privacy and maintaining personal safety while accessing the technology so that they remain responsible and alert whenever they are accessing the internet for their various purposes.
After the brief introductory session, the event continued with the presentation of other members of the chair who spoke on various child-specific legislations. Dr. Surja Kanta Baladhikari, Assistant professor at NUJS, spoke on the criminal legislations regarding child rights. He spoke on the new criminal laws i.e., the ‘Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’ (BNS), 2024 and ‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences’, (POCSO), Act, 2012 where he gave a brief idea about certain crimes like sexual harassment, stalking and explained how the legislation provides protection against any such sexual abuse against children. He also sensitised the students about their legal rights and protections, promoting awareness of personal safety and consent, encouraging timely reporting of abuse through appropriate authorities. Lastly, he emphasised the need to safeguard children from online grooming by creating awareness about safe online practices, reporting mechanisms and the legal consequences of such offences under cyber laws.
After the talk by Dr. Baladhikari, the next speech was delivered by ‘Mrs. Sampa Karmakar Singh’ who discussed on topics like Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, along with giving a brief idea about the various personal laws like the Hindu and Muslim laws on child marriage and explaining the ill- effects of the crime and the need to prevent growing child marriages, stressing that how as being part of the society it is important to raise awareness on such issues. She also highlighted on cyber laws and the harmful impacts of the growing cybercrimes in the age of digital world. She also sensitised the students on the safe and responsible usage of internet and the legal remedies available against any cyber offences. The programme also included discussion sessions where the children actively participated and asked various questions regarding the child rights and similar issues and vice versa.
The teachers and the support staff actively assisted in organizing the legal awareness programme by coordinating with the students and arranging necessary facilities and ensured that the programme was conducted smoothly.
The goal of the legal awareness programme on child rights was to educate and make familiar the children about their legal rights, protection and responsibilities. It helped students recognize abuse, discrimination and encouraged them to seek help when their rights are violated. Such legal awareness empowers children to promote a safe social environment. Children are the greatest hope for the future of the nation. A legally aware child will ensure the bright future of India.
