Interview With Falakyar Askari: Using LAW for the society

For The Sake Of Argument Catches Up With Falakyar Askari, Founding President of the NGO LAW (Law for Aid & Welfare), which has been continuously working at the grassroots level to bring about change from within. [ Read More About LAW Here]

Sourya (S): Tell us something about yourself.

Falakyar (F): I am a student of law at the National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam. Some people call me a ‘social worker’ but I refuse to be known as the same. I am only trying to pay back to this great nation; the enormous debts I have incurred.

(S): When did you conceive the idea of forming LAW?

(F): When I was in my first year at the law school, I conceived the idea of forming Law for Aid and Welfare.

(S): Was there a personal story behind this?

(F): Personal story . . . Not really. But the words of my teacher, Prof. (Dr.) Gurjeet Singh (Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, NLUJAA) did make me realize the importance of collective construction of society. It was then that I decided to organize selfless people willing to work towards the betterment of the society.

(S): Did people initially support you and LAW?

(F): Support is a big word for me. Even friends did not bother to lend an ear initially. Even today we continue to face the same problem that only some people now want to work with us. I still refuse to believe that people are skeptical about our abilities or competence. I trace this problem to the selfish human nature. Many people tell us that they want to work with us but as soon as they realize that we will not be paying any money or that no big name is associated with us, they walk away.

(S): Blogging and raising awareness is good, but what practical work is LAW planning to do?

(F): I disagree that blogging is not a practical work. It definitely is.

Blogging, however, is not our main area of work. Law and man interface is a dreaded aspect so long as man is not aware of his rights and such laws. As such we have launched the ‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign under which we organize legal awareness sessions at educational institutions, slums in the cities, villages and at such other places where we can capture the common masses (both educated and uneducated). We distribute pamphlets which explain laws in lay men’s language. But is this sufficient? Definitely not! Much more needs to be done. But, one has to realize that we have just started working and are in the process of evolution and development. Besides we are resource constrained.

Despite the problem of resources we have established a Centre for Women Empowerment which shall start its operations in the coming month. We have also launched a ‘Safe Drinking Water’ Campaign. We have planned many more things but implementation would take some more time. 

(S): Tell us about few of the initiatives LAW has planned.

(F): Well, there are many things which we have considered. Planning is still to take place. We shall keep you updated as and when we launch any program. In the meanwhile, I would just disclose that we have constituted a dedicated team to work on legal education. We are trying to establish a coaching centre to provide free coaching for CLAT (in addition to free lodging and food). As and when the same is finalized, we shall inform you.

(S): Any plans of making LAW a national organization?

(F): Yes, of course. We intend to become a national organization. In fact, we have already started expanding. We are already working upon a team in Bihar. And, we are ready to start our office anywhere where people want to join and work with us selflessly and seriously.

(S): How do you convince people who say “this cannot be done” or “nothing will change”?

(F): Our team does not waste time on trying to convince people. We invest this energy in working. We associate all those who seriously want to work with us and then we start working. People themselves get convinced!

(S): In what way do you feel law students can help you?

(F): Law students are the people who can help LAW and in turn our country the most. Every person can contribute in his/her own way. We have different Centres – Centre for Legal Awareness, Centre for Basic Amenities, Centre for Women Empowerment and the Centre for Environment Protection. People who are willing to work in any of these areas can join us and start working with us. It does not matter where they reside or to which part of the country do they belong to. We are always willing to expand and work as long as we are able to do some good.

[Anybody who is willing to join Law for Aid and Welfare can contact them here].

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The Journey of Law for Aid and Welfare

GUWAHATI, May 7- On this day, last year was registered a society by the name Law for Aid and Welfare (LAW). Falakyar Askari (Founder President) [ Read Falakyar Askari's Interview HERE] says “LAW is not merely an organisation; it is a vision – a movement of dedicated people working hard to fight injustice.” (Read his full message here) The society is celebrating its one year of existence today. But the journey has not been an easy one.

Convinced by the words of the great visionary Prof. (Dr.) Gurjeet Singh (Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam), Askari was resolute to serve the nation. “All that I am today is because of this great nation. Almighty has bestowed with so much … so many opportunities and of them the most important being the opportunity to receive such good education. So much is being invested on us by our country. We owe to the nation!” said Askari. And soon, he found himself discussing this idea of forming LAW with his fellow friends.

Many called him a fool and overambitious! Some others did not even bother to lend an ear. But determined to the backbone, Askari started conducting legal awareness sessions at slums along with three close aides – Abhishek Chakravarty, Aishwarya Nigam and Nishigandha Panikhukan. Somehow they managed to convince seven people to come together for the registration of LAW. “We were demanded Rs. 25,000 for the issuance of the certificate of registration which we refused to pay; it is another matter that it took eight months of hard work and perseverance to get a certificate of registration,” said Askari.

Once registered LAW started focusing aggressively on legal awareness. But soon, they realized that they did not have sufficient funds to continue the operations. Some money was raised by the contributions from the members. But the same was meager as all the members are students and donated whatever possible. Yet, determined in their goals, LAW has continued to work till date.  LAW has also launched the ‘Safe Drinking Water’ Campaign besides the ‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign. Expanding slowly though steadily, LAW has announced the establishment of LAW Centre for Women Empowerment considering the apathy of the fair sex in the country.

LAW has now begun to garner support and selfless contribution. But LAW still faces the problem of poor finances. We are hopeful that this noble and selfless endeavour will be supported by all from the legal fraternity. We are also hopeful that this endeavour shall be supported by corporate and media houses.

-Tejaswini Ranjan

Editor:- For The Sake Of Argument

(The contributor is a third year student of law at the Chanakya National Law University, Patna)

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Changemaker's Confluence 2K14: Biggest Youth Conference.

Changemaker's Confluence 2K14 is a 4 day residential youth conference, going to be held at IIMT Greater Noida from 26th-30th June. The conference aims at providing the youth of the country with a platform to exchange ideas and opinions on political issues that are integral to the development of the nation as a whole at the moment.

The confluence intends to bring together 450+ students of diverse educational backgrounds from all over the country to put forward their views to bring about a change in the current scenario of chaos and pandemonium in the political image of India. The confluence thus means to create leaders in divergent fields of CHANGE.

The three day Confluence would be divided into two sections.

1)   Two day extensive dialogue on varied political affairs: The idea behind this two day session is to enable the participants to shed all inhibitions and present their perceptions and convictions, deliberate, discuss and debate on issues that concern them as the future of a country that is in dire need of selfless and diligent leaders.

2)   The final day: The final day of the confluence is going to consist of a concluding session where the matters discussed in the first two days are going to be concluded with possible solutions. Many a times our approach to the problems of our country remains confined to drawing room discussions and debate competitions in schools and colleges.

The concluding day of the confluence accords an opportunity to the participants as well as the speakers to deliberate on the possible solutions of these political conflicts

The Changemaker's Confluence also aims at producing leaders in all fields of politics that need CHANGE. Therefore, these solutions are going to be materialised by the participating leaders in their part of the country thereby spreading the message of change throughout the country.

• Featured Events of the confluence: 

1. Indian Youth Parliament Forum
2. Call for Papers
3. Social Innovation Contest

• Other Events of the Confluence: 

1. Panel Discussions
2. Keynote Presentation
3. Delegate Speaker Contest
4. EYF Leadership Durbar
5. Gala Dinner
6. Cultural Night
7. Musical Performances 
8. 
   

THE POLICY DESIGNED BY THE ENTIRE 400 DELEGATES TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF INDIA WITH SIGNATORIES OF ALL THE DELEGATES AND ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.
Apply Now: http://changemakers.in/

For more information email us atcc2k14@esteemyouthfoundation.org

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Model Indian Governance: Campus Ambassador Recruitment

Model Governance Foundation is recruiting Campus Ambassadors at various colleges and universities across India for it’s flagship event, the 3rd Model Indian Governance Forum scheduled to take place at IIM, Lucknow from 27th – 29th June 2014 as a part of The Lucknow Conclave.

Model Indian Governance (MIG) is a trailblazing initiative which replicates the Indian Parliament, its working and proceedings. It simulates committees in the Ministries, Planning Commission and regional bodies under which participants act as delegates to discuss and debate pressing national issues.

Eligibility: Undergraduate Students in any discipline aged between 17 – 25 years.

Campus Ambassador Profile:

What do you have to do?

• Help extensively in the publicity of the event in your campus and your city.
• Serve as a strategic link between your college and our organising committee.
• Help in increasing participation
• Make people aware about the event through social media and other resources you have and share the latest happenings among your network.

What you get:

• A chance to work for a youth led organisation and an international conference.
• This is a voluntary and unpaid post. You will get a Work Experience certificate on successful completion of your tenure.

How to Apply:

Send in your CV to riddhima.lucknowconclave@gmail.com

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