Continuing its efforts to promote legal awareness and education among students, the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority (JKLSA) has been establishing Legal Literacy Clubs across the region. In its latest initiative, Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (A), High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief, J&KLegal Services Authority today inaugurated a Legal Literacy Club at Solace International School, Bunura, Pulwama.

This effort, which was undertaken in presence of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Administrative Judge for District Pulwama marks a significant milestone in fostering a culture of legal consciousness among young minds, equipping students with knowledge about their legal rights and responsibilities from an early age.

Upon their arrival, dignitaries were warmly received by Naseer Ahmad Dar, Principal District & Sessions Judge Pulwama; P.D. Nitya, SSP Pulwama; Mohammad Ashraf, ADC Pulwama, Jahangir Ahmad Bakshi, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Pulwama; Zahoor Ahmad Ganaie, Secretary, DLSA Pulwama; Mir Waseem Haneef, Chairman and Rifath Waseem, Principal, Solace International School, Bunura,  Pulwama other teaching and administrative staff and students.

The Chief Justice was accompanied by Shahzad Azeem, Registrar General, M. K. Sharma, Principal Secretary and Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority. A traditional welcome was accorded to the Chief Justice and the dignitaries.

Subsequent to the inauguration of Legal Literacy Club, the Chief Justice and Justice Oswal interacted with Sobiya Nazir, the Teacher-in-Charge, as well as students who volunteered to be the members of the Club. They encouraged the students to become ambassadors of Legal Services Institutions in spreading legal awareness, not only among their peers but also within the wider community, so that the motto of the Legal Services Authority, “Access to Justice for All,” reaches every legal aid seeker.

Chief Justice Tashi emphasized the importance of Legal Literacy Clubs in empowering students with knowledge about the welfare schemes, scholarship schemes of the Government besides their legal rights and responsibilities. He highlighted that these clubs play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of legal awareness among the younger generation, which is crucial for the development of a just and fair society. "Legal literacy is the foundation of a well-informed citizenry and it is essential for the protection of rights and the promotion of justice," he remarked.

Justice Oswal underscored the indispensable role of women in the nation's progress, emphasizing that empowering young woman with legal knowledge is a key driver of social change, as they are likely to influence their families and communities positively.

Rifath Waseem, Principal, Solace International School extended heartfelt thanks to the esteemed dignitaries and encouraged the pressing need for legal literacy in the school. She stressed that the establishment of Legal Literacy Club is a significant milestone in the school's efforts to integrate legal education into the broader educational curriculum, ensuring that students are not only academically proficient but also legally informed.

This initiative like establishment of Legal Literacy Clubs underscore the commitment of the Legal Service Institutions in UT of J&K to empower the younger generation with legal knowledge, fostering a future of informed and responsible citizens promoting legal awareness and strengthening the legal framework for the benefit of all citizens.