News Category: News
“NLUO- NSS Bureau along with Sakhi NGO, New Delhi organised a webinar on ‘Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and POCSO Act, 2012’, 16th September 2023”
02 Oct 2023
The National Service Scheme (NSS) Bureau of National Law University, Odisha (NLUO) along with Sakhi NGO, New Delhi organised a webinar on?em>’Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and POCSO Act, 2012′, dated 16th?eptember 2023. The time of the webinar was 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The speaker for the day was, Dr. Aditi Kishorem, a Gynaecologist and Obstetrician with over 20 years in the health and wellness industry.
She provided a critical summary of the POCSO Act, 2012 along with inputs on techniques for counseling children and young adult victims of sexual abuse. Also, she provided a note on our responses to sexual abuse survivors based on our own social conditionings and biases. She emphasised sensitizing adults on the issue of child sexual harassment and enabling awareness of the same to the children they engage with socially and professionally.
Also, Prof. Dr. Ved Kumari, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Odisha joined the programme as the ‘guest of honour’. Prof. Ved Kumari also provided her critical observations on the evolution of law and its impact on gender roles and ultimately in the area of protecting children from sexual abuse.
The webinar was attended by a total of 30 students from NLUO – NSS Bureau and other colleges from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar areas of Odisha.
The programme was coordinated by Mr. Kumarjeeb Pegu (Programme Officer, NSS Bureau, NLUO) with the support of Dr. Maynak Tiwari, (Programme Coordinator, NSS Bureau, NLUO). Dr. Tiwari and Mr. M Vijay Bhaskar (Programme Officer, NSS Bureau, NLUO), were also present during the event.
“A symposium on ‘The Right to Housing and Land’: Challenges and Access to Justice’ – September 23, 2023.”
28 Sep 2023
A symposium on ‘The Right to Housing and Land’: Challenges and Access to Justice’ was organised on September 23, 2023 by Internal Quality Assurance Cell of National Law University Odisha in collaboration with The Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) and The Centre for the Sustainable Use of Natural and Social Resources (CSNR). The program was conducted with the aims to strengthen the understanding of human right of adequate housing among lawyers, facilitate the development of common approaches and strategies for dealing with complex legal and policy issues related to housing rights, and to create a strong network of people working for the protection and promotion of the right to adequate housing.
The program was attended by 48 advocates from various regions of Odisha. The program witnessed presence of Hon’ble Justice Dr. Sanjeeb Panigrahi, Judge, High Court of Orissa; Prof. Dr. Ved Kumari, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, National Law University Odisha; Prof. (Dr.) Usha Ramanathan, Human Rights Activist, and Legal Expert; Mr. Dhirendra Panda, Director, CSNR; Mr. Pranab Chaudhary, Ecopreneur and Expert on Land Governance; Mr. Shankar Prasad, Advocate, National Green Tribunal; Ms. Akhankya Kabi, Advocate, High Court of Orissa; Miss Urmi Chudgar and Mr. Aishwarya Ayushmaan from (HLRN); Dr. Mayank Tiwari, Director, IQAC and Mr. Kumarjeeb Pegu, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO.
The experts discussed with the participants about the legal and practical challenges involved in the issues related to housing rights.
“CWL Seminar on Women in Decision Making Roles in Corporate – 15th September, 2023.”
28 Sep 2023
The Centre for Women and Law conducted a National Seminar on “Women in Decision Making Roles in Corporate” sponsored by the National Commission for Women on 15th September, 2023. The Seminar consisted of six technical sessions conducted by inspiring women who shared their insights on how they made it in the corporate world.
The first session invited Ms. Priyanka, the Chief Operating Officer at Manupatra. She shared insights on career challenges for women, focusing on Imposter Syndrome. She emphasized the evolving perception of women’s careers and their significance in life. Discussing biases and self-perception issues, she advocated for women to overcome doubts, embrace their qualities, support each other, and take up opportunities with confidence. She underscored the importance of inclusive corporate cultures and encouraged women to leverage their inherent leadership qualities for transformative change.
The second session was conducted by Rahimunnisa Begum, a member of the district consumer dispute redressal commission in Vishakhapatnam and a notable Vizag-based social activist and NGO leader. She addressed various laws, citing Article 14, 19, and 21 for gender equality and sections of the Indian Penal Code related to women’s issues, such as dowry and crimes like acid attacks. Begum stressed the need for global efforts to combat crimes against women and suggested remedies for the same.
The third session was taken by Dharitri Patnaik, Chairperson of Diversified Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Highlighting the crucial role women-owned businesses play, she acknowledged the challenges they face, including limited representation and societal expectations. Patnaik stressed the need for a level playing field, encouraging women to unlock their potential, embrace government schemes, and utilize women-friendly policies. She urged women to seize opportunities.
The fourth session was taken by Sofia Firdous, who recently made history by becoming the first female president of CREDAI, Bhubaneswar. She highlighted her journey in real estate, emphasizing the critical initial years that offer practical knowledge through perseverance and seizing opportunities. She emphasized that women play a crucial part in decision-making, bringing qualities such as honesty, transparency, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to turn criticism into a positive force.
The fifth session was taken by Neelasha Nemani, currently working at Clifford Chance LLP. She stated that throughout her career she faced gender-based challenges such as intrusive personal inquiries during job interviews and subtle biases affecting professional opportunities and in client interactions, showcasing the existing disparities in the legal industry. She stressed the need for enhanced female representation at the top levels of the legal sector, recognizing the importance of female role models to guide successful careers and address distinct challenges women encounter.
The last session was taken by Madhuram Aparajita, deputy head legal at Vedanta Limited. She discussed gender-based barriers in the corporate world, including societal inquiries on marriage and motherhood. She emphasized the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to gain diverse experiences early in a career. Addressing structural bias, she pointed out pay disparities and unequal infrastructure. Societal bias was highlighted, focusing on effective communication and challenging stereotypes in the manufacturing sector.
After the technical sessions, the Centre for Corporate Law (CCL) and the Centre for Women and Law (CWL) presented their research on this topic. Following that, students from various universities were welcomed to present their research papers.
“One-day Capacity Building Program – 4th August 2023.”
28 Sep 2023
On August 4, 2023, the Centre for Women and Law (CWL), in collaboration with the National Commission for Women (NCW), organised a one-day capacity development and personality enhancement program for female undergraduate and postgraduate students. This comprehensive program consisted of three sessions, each lasting one and a half hours, aimed at equipping young women with essential skills to excel in the professional world. The event attracted over a hundred students from various universities across the state.
The program commenced with an inaugural address by Professor Ved Kumari, the distinguished Vice-Chancellor of the National Law University, Odisha (NLUO). Her session was structured around three key areas: Communication, Stress Management, and Time Management. Her approach was highly interactive, focusing on eliciting responses from the participants to provide them with practical insights. She explored various modes, types, and techniques of communication. The session concluded with a call for positivity through smiles and laughter, exemplified by a laughter exercise.
The second session of the program was led by Dr. Arjyalopa Mishra, an Assistant Professor and the Internship and Placement Committee Co-Ordinator at NLUO. She focused on professional skills and career development, beginning with a discussion on self-assessment for career choices, CV drafting, and interview skills. Dr. Mishra emphasized the importance of aligning strengths and skills with career options and provided valuable guidance on acquiring professional skills through education, on-job training, and life experience.
In the latter part of the second session, Prof. Augustine Veliath, an Adjunct Professor at NLUO. He emphasized the importance of understanding the audience, structuring presentations effectively, and delivering them confidently. Prof. Veliath also provided insights into career guidance, highlighting the significance of goal setting, career assessment, networking, and mentorship for personal and professional growth.
In session led by Ms. Eluckiaa, delved into the digital landscape and cybersecurity. She discussed essential online platforms and tools, such as email services, productivity applications like Google Drive and Google Slides, and mobile payment applications like Paytm and Google Pay. She highlighted the pervasive presence of these platforms in contemporary digital interactions and the need to be aware of potential cyber threats. She provided insights into UPI and online payment methods, along with precautions against cybercrime and relevant legal provisions, such as IPC 354-D.
The program’s final segment featured an extensive statistical analysis presented by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Saumendra K. Priyadarshi. The analysis focused on a comparative study between smartphone usage in India and the USA, emphasizing the significance of smartphones in contemporary society, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addressing cybercrime awareness and smartphone usage, the discussion highlighted the importance of verifying reliable sources in the age of knowledge accessibility. He stressed the significance of promptly reporting incidents to government helplines and acknowledged the unpredictability of future cyber threats due to the rapid evolution of AI.
The program left a lasting impact on the attendees, equipping them with valuable skills and knowledge for their journey into the professional world. It highlighted the dedication of CWL and NCW to empower and uplift young women in India.
“31ST Informal Discussion Group Session on ‘Navigating Law School Life and Placement Puzzle: Insights on the Journey and Stress Management’ held on September 2, 2023”
26 Sep 2023
31st Informal Discussion Group Session
Theme: Navigating Law School Life and Placement Puzzle: Insights on the Journey and Stress Management.<
Introduction:
On September 2, 2023, the Informal Discussion Group at NLU, Odisha, hosted a guest lecture featuring Divyansh Nayar (Associate, Trilegal) and Sridutt Mishra (Associate, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.). The session took place online and was divided into two segments, each tailored to address specific aspects of a legal education journey and the challenges of the placement process.
Segment 1: Navigating Law School (For First and Second-Year Students):
The first segment aimed at first and second-year students focused on helping them navigate their early years in law school. Both guest speakers shared personal insights from their law school journeys, emphasizing the common dilemmas faced by first-year students. The speakers highlighted the importance of exploring college life and considering various career options. They explained that this exploration, even if it leads to career changes later on, can be incredibly beneficial in the long run.
The guest speakers advised students to engage in discussions with peers to understand their career goals and the essential skills required for their chosen fields. These conversations could expose students to a wide range of career opportunities and skill sets. The speakers recommended that students aim to narrow down their career choices by the end of their third year, allowing them to focus more specifically on internships and career development during their fourth and fifth years.
Furthermore, the guests discussed the significance of extracurricular activities, emphasizing that participation should not be solely for enhancing one’s CV but also for gaining valuable experiences. They encouraged students to approach these activities with the goal of skill development and gaining insightful experiences. The invaluable soft skills cultivated through extracurricular activities would not only enhance CVs but also benefit students’ overall careers.
Segment 2: Challenges in the Placement Process (For Other Students):
The second segment mirrored the first but focused on the challenges students might encounter during the placement process. The guest speakers shared their personal experiences, highlighting the stress and anxiety caused by the impact of COVID-19 on placements. They emphasized that taking stress wouldn’t be productive and suggested having a backup plan if the primary placement doesn’t materialize due to unforeseen circumstances.
The speakers recommended continuing to work at Chambers of Senior Advocates or Boutique Firms, even if one doesn’t secure a top-tier placement immediately after law school. They stressed the importance of prioritizing practice areas over teams and teams over firms when choosing internships. This approach allows students to develop specific skills that will benefit their future careers. However, they also noted that Tier-1 law firm internships can provide valuable exposure to the industry’s highest standards.
The guest speakers shared insights on effective internships, including working closely with Senior/Principal Associates or Partners instead of multiple tasks with junior associates. They emphasized the role of alumni connections in internships and advised students on how to streamline their CVs. They also clarified that lacking prior experience in a chosen practice area should not deter students from pursuing internships in that field.
Finally, the speakers discussed lateral hiring and its advantages over traditional hiring methods like Pre-Placement Offers and Campus placements. They reiterated that the placement journey is not always perfect and may have inconsistencies.
Conclusion:
The session ended with Ms. Shubhangini Rathore (Convenor, the Informal Discussion Group) expressing gratitude to the guests, the audience, faculty members, and the IDG members for their support and participation. The lecture provided valuable insights into navigating law school and the placement process, emphasizing adaptability, skill development, and the importance of proactive career planning.
“BW Legal World Ranking 2023: NLU Odisha is among the top 10 best Law Schools in India”
25 Sep 2023
No content available
“7th Annual Intra University Debating Championship (IUDC) of 2023 on September 16th and 17th, 2023”
21 Sep 2023
The 7th Annual Intra University Debating Championship (IUDC) of 2023 brought vibrant debates to life on September 16th and 17th, 2023, at the NLUO campus. This edition of the championship bore witness to lecture halls echoing with spirited voices and resonant table-claps, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Organised by The Society For Law, Literature and Debates, the VI IUDC was graced by esteemed core adjudicators, including Kaushik Das, Darshit S. and Prajjawal Shrivastav. These debaters enjoy national and international recognition, making them stars on the debating circuit. To ensure an impeccable standard of judging and to enhance the championship’s credibility, invitations were extended to celebrated debaters from the Indian debating circuits. We were honoured to have Snigdha Priyadarshini, Vansh Aggarwal, and Varsha Venkat lend their expertise and discerning insights, thus infusing depth and authenticity into the adjudication process.
The competition featured four thrilling preliminary rounds, with only four teams securing a spot in the out rounds. The VI IUDC 2023 garnered widespread enthusiasm and wholehearted participation from students across all batches. An impressive total of 17 teams and 7 adjudicators engaged in fierce competition, all vying not only for the prestigious titles but also for the enticing cash prizes.
The Winners were the team comprising of Ujan Sarkar, Pratyush Singh and Aishanya Bakhsh and the Runners Up were the team consisting of Sourodeep Paul, Sahil Gandhir and Ayush Sharma. The Semi Finalists were the teams comprising Lakshya Haritwal, Ananya Sonakiya and Swarnava Sengupta and Kavya Jindal, Surbhi Goyal, and Aditya Kumar Mundhra. The Best Adjudicator was Chitrangda Saini and the Best Speaker was Pratyush Singh.
As we reflect on this memorable event, we anticipate even greater success and intellectual vigour in the years to come. We eagerly look forward to continued engagement in our shared pursuit of fostering meaningful discourse and honing the art of persuasive argumentation.
“Four Day Grand 3rd National Law University Odisha – Public Health Foundation of India Public Health Law National Virtual Moot Court Competition Concludes 7th to 10th September 2023”
11 Sep 2023
Centre for Public Health Law, National Law University Odisha in collaboration with the Public
Health foundation of India organised its 3rd edition of NLUO PHFI Public Health Law National Moot Court Competition from 7th ?o 10th ?September, 2023. The competition witnessed a participation of 90 teams from universities/colleges/law schools from across India. The moot proposition was based on public health law and its interaction with Intellectual Property Law.
Symbiosis Law School, Pune was adjudged the winner of the competition and Jindal Global Law School was adjudged as Runners up. Award for best memorial was bagged by IILM University Gurugram ?nd the Best Speaker award was given to Gaurangi Pande of Symbiosis Law School ,Pune. A total of Rs. 42,000/- in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. The event was organised across four days that witnessed engaging arguments and stimulating competition. The judges for all the rounds of the competition included practising advocates, company legal counsels, law firm associates and partners, academicians and serving judges.
The valedictory ceremony and the moot court rounds witnessed dignitaries like Mr. Warren Burke, Senior Attorney, United States House of Representatives, Office of Legislative Counsel; Senior Supreme Advocate Anand Grover; Prof. Shridhar Kadam, Director, Indian Institute of Public Health; Prof. Ved Kumari, Vice Chancellor, NLUO and Dr. Rishika Khare, Co-Director, Centre for Public Health, NLUO.
The moot problem revolved around a complex and multifaceted issue at the intersection of public health, trade secrets, consumer safety, and regulatory authority. It highlights the challenges faced by Apoxia Enterprises Limited, a company that introduced a popular instant noodle product called Wahgi in a rapidly developing country, Etinia, as well as the subsequent allegations against it of health-related concerns and regulatory actions taken by the government.
This case prompts a profound exploration of the balance between a company’s right to protect its trade secrets and the public’s right to information regarding the safety of consumer products. It also delves into the authority and responsibilities of government bodies in ensuring food safety and regulating the market. Additionally, it raises questions about corporate liability for potential public health issues and the role of the judiciary in adjudicating these complex and contentious matters.
“29th August 2023 | Legal Awareness session for housekeeping staff of NLUO”
30 Aug 2023
The Legal Services Committee (“LSC“) of National Law University, Odisha (“NLUO“), has organized a comprehensive session for the blue-collar workers of the University. The primary goal of the session is to educate them about the central and state government schemes available at their disposal. The highlights of this session were two specific schemes: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. The session was conducted in Odia to ensure a full understanding of the schemes for the workers. LSC also addressed queries from the workers related to the same. This session helped them avail the benefits of these schemes if they meet the eligibility criteria. The turnout for the session was excellent, with almost every member of the housekeeping staff attending and enjoying it. They were pleased with the way this session was conducted. Thus, we succeeded in our aim, i.e., to impart valuable legal awareness to the blue-collar workers of NLUO.?
By: Legal Services Committee?ational Law University, Odisha
Date: 29th August 2023 (Tuesday),?ime: 12 PM to 1:45 PM.
Venue:?eminar Hall, Academic Block
“1st NLUO – GAJE National Negotiation Competition, conducted on 12th and 13th of August, 2023.”
16 Aug 2023
PRESS RELEASE
The 1st NLUO – GAJE National Negotiation Competition was successfully conducted on 12th and 13th of August, 2023, leaving a mark of excellence in the realm of negotiation and dispute resolution. The event is the first ever Negotiation Competition conducted by an institution in Odisha. With participation from 28 esteemed law universities across India, including NLUs and private institutions, the event showcased the talent and dedication of the legal fraternity.
Hosted by National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack, the competition aligned seamlessly with NLUO’s vision of advancing learning, research, and knowledge dissemination in the field of law. Prof. Ved Kumari, the Vice Chancellor of NLUO, graced the opening ceremony with her insightful inaugural address, emphasizing the pivotal role of academic competitions in shaping well-rounded legal professionals.
The event’s successful execution owes much to the support of sponsors such as GAJE (Global Alliance for Justice Education), High Court of Orissa, Live Law (Media Partner), EMW Genxt, AIIMAS, and Indian Dispute Resolution Centre. Their contributions fortified the competition’s stature and underscored its significance.
The preliminary rounds on Day 1 witnessed spirited performances by all participating teams, with NUSRL Ranchi, NLIU Bhopal, SLS Pune, and NMIMS Navi Mumbai emerging as the top contenders. Day 2 unfolded with intense semi-final rounds and culminated in an exhilarating finale between NLIU, Bhopal, and SLS, Pune.
The coveted titles were claimed by the following:
Winners: NLIU, Bhopal
Runners Up: SLS, Pune
Best Negotiating Pair: SLS, Pune
The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 15,000/- and the Runners Up were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. The Best Negotiating Pair were given two internship slots with the Indian Dispute Resolution Centre.
The closing ceremony, streamed on NLUO’s Official YouTube Page, was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Akash Kumar, Faculty Advisor of the ADR Board of NLUO. The event’s successful conclusion was marked by a vote of thanks, and the results were unveiled by the distinguished panel of judges presiding over the finals.
The 1st GAJE-NLUO Negotiation Competition has not only provided a competitive platform but has also fostered a valuable exchange of ideas and skills among future legal luminaries. The event’s impact reverberates in the legal community, inspiring students to harness their negotiation prowess and contribute to the advancement of justice education.
