National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is proud to announce the organization of a specialized Training Programme on New Criminal Laws for personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The programme is scheduled to be conducted on the 26^th and 27^th of April 2025 and the 3^rd and 4^th of May 2025, at the university campus.

This initiative aims to enhance the understanding and practical application of the recently enacted criminal laws among RPF personnel. With significant reforms introduced in India’s criminal justice system, it is imperative that law enforcement personnel are well-versed with the new legal provisions, procedures, and implications.

The training programme has been carefully designed by the faculty members of NLUO to address critical aspects of the new legislation, including procedural changes, substantive law updates, and their impact on special laws pertaining to RPF. Interactive sessions, case studies, and group discussions will form an integral part of the training, ensuring an engaging and effective learning experience.

Participants will include RPF officers from Khurda Road & Sambalpur Divisions of East Coast Railway, and the programme will serve as a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building in light of the evolving legal landscape.

NLUO remains dedicated to advancing legal education and supporting institutions involved in the maintenance of law and order across the country.

The Bioscope Global Film Festival, organized by the Centre for Film Studies, NLUO is to honour creativity through SHORT FILMS, DOCUMENTARIES, FEATURE FILMS, MUSIC VIDEOS, ANIMATED MOVIES of different National and  International  Languages and genre who have contributed significantly and globally to world cinema. Movies from all over the world are invited, panelised, screened and rewarded for their phenomenal and unique concepts. National Law University Odisha is excited to collaborate for this venture. This collaboration between a premiere law institute and an organization that patrons and fosters independent cinema, is expected to not only weave discussion around independent cinema but also delve into the different societal aspects portrayed in cinema.

The Constitutional Law Society (CLS) & Society for Advancement of Animal and Environmental Welfare (SAAEW) of NLUO in collaboration with Humane World for Animals (HWA) are organizing the NLUO-HWA National Conference on Expanding Principles of Constitutional Law and Rights of Non-Humans under Article 21 on 5 & 6 September 2025.

The Conference seeks to examine the evolving jurisprudential developments and their intersection with contemporary issues such as indigenous rights, sustainable development, animal personhood, euthanasia, digital privacy, and social security. As constitutional law expands its scope, it raises critical questions about balancing human interests with the recognition of Rights of Non-Humans.

Please check the brochure for further details. Click here

Date: 19.03.2025
Timing: 11:30 AM to 01:30 PM
Venue: Seminar Hall, Academic Block

This focus group discussion is part of the NUJS Collaborative Project ‘Evaluation of Old Age Homes under the Abadana Scheme: A Study in Odisha.’ The purpose of this Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is to gather insights and feedback from key stakeholders on improving the quality of care and services provided at old age homes. Therefore, by engaging with diverse participants comprised of inmates of old age homes, family members of inmates, caregivers, doctors, community members, legal experts, policy makers and law enforcements officers, the FGD aims to gain a deeper understanding of the objectives behind the state’s schemes for the welfare of the elderly as well as assess the responses of the inmates of the old-age homes. Ultimately, the findings from this FGD will be crucial in informing policy recommendations for strengthening the implementation and impact of the active ageing policies.

Sessions to be conducted by:
Dr. Sohini Mahapatra, Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO
Dr. Mrinalini Banerjee, Co- Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO

National Law University Odisha with the support of National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is organizing a One-Day Awareness Programme on Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (MWPSC), to impart a holistic understanding of the law. Designed for Senior citizens and other stakeholders dealing with the welfare of senior citizens, officers of judicial services/ judges, and police personnel, this workshop aims to empower participants with legal awareness, equip stakeholders with practical tools for enforcement, and promote collective responsibility in ensuring the well-being of senior citizens.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the MWPSC Act and the mechanisms for its effective enforcement. Stakeholders, including government officials, judicial officers, and police personnel, will gain insights into their roles in ensuring compliance with the Act. The workshop will foster greater awareness, encourage proactive intervention, and strengthen institutional support for the dignity and well-being of senior citizens.

Program Coordinators:
Dr. Sohini Mahapatra, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO
Dr. Mrinalini Banerjee, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO

National Law University Odisha with the support of National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is organizing a One-Day Awareness Programme on Government Policies, Programmes and Schemes for Welfare of Senior Citizens on 17 March 2025. The objective of this one-day awareness and sensitization program is to provide comprehensive information and facilitate understanding of the various government policies, programs, and schemes available for the welfare and support of senior citizens in India. By targeting a diverse audience, including senior citizens themselves, representatives from senior citizen associations and clubs, state department staff involved in senior citizen welfare, judicial officers, and police personnel, this program aims to contribute to the holistic and inclusive development of the senior citizen community, promoting their active participation, access to resources, and overall social, economic, and emotional well-being.

Program Coordinators:
Dr. Sohini Mahapatra, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO
Dr. Mrinalini Banerjee, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO

National Law University Odisha’s Centre for Public Health (CPHL) and Centre for Industrial Relations and Labour Law is organising a panel discussion on “Extension of Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code 2020 to the Bidi Industry Workers”. The session will be held virtually on Saturday, 22nd February 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

About the Discussion: Bidi workers are typically piece-rated workers who roll bidis, a traditional form of hand-rolled bidis, often from their homes. This form of work is highly labor-intensive, and workers are paid based on the number of bidis they roll, rather than a fixed wage. However, this system puts them at a disadvantage, as they face continuous exposure to harmful chemicals, such as tobacco dust, which can lead to serious health hazards like respiratory diseases, skin issues, and long-term health complications. Since they work from home, they miss out on the usual protections provided by employers in formal workplaces, such as safety training, protective equipment, and health insurance. This makes the enforcement of health and safety codes, like the Occupational Health and Safety Workers’ Code (OHSWC), more critical. These codes are essential to ensuring that the health and welfare of bidi workers are safeguarded, even when they lack the conventional protections of a formal workplace setting. While the OSHWC Code 2020 introduces some provisions, its coverage remains inadequate. This discussion will explore ways to enhance legal and policy protections for these workers. The link for the event is given below.

Event Details:

–       Date & Time: Saturday, 22nd February 2025; 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM IST

–       Google Meet Link  https://meet.google.com/uuc-ykab-ydo

About NLUO: National Law University Odisha (NLUO) was established in the year 2009 by Act IV of 2008 of the State of Odisha. Within a short period, NLUO has made its mark as a university engaged in teaching and research in law. It aims at imparting world-class education with relevance to the practical world. The faculty members regularly publish in journals of repute and have been awarded by national and international agencies for their contribution and scholarship. to it.

About CPHL: To advance focused research in the specific domains of law, NLUO has come out with dedicated research centres including on public health. CPHL was established in January 2021 by the Hon’ble Vice- Chancellor, NLUO to promote research in the field of public health laws. It aims to inquire into the paradigm of legal entitlements of people under the right to health and strategise the use of law to promote health equity. In advocating measures for improving the health of the people, we emphasise that public health policies must respect human rights and civil liberties. Apart from research, the Centre provides guidance and consultancy to government and non-government organizations on health policy. We critically scrutinize the compatibility of various public health policies and programs with the fundamental rights regime. The Centre is working collaboratively with two expert public health organizations i.e. International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease [‘The Union’] and the Public Health Foundation of India [‘PHFI’].

Centre for Industrial Relations and Labour Laws, (CIRLL): CIRLL was founded with the intention of promoting legal awareness of workers’ rights and working to uphold those rights in both the organised and unorganized sectors. Its goal is to protect workers’ rights in industries ranging from agriculture to construction, paying particular attention to issues involving women and child labour. The Centre aims to carry out extensive research and fieldwork for this purpose, as well as collaborate on projects with other businesses operating in the same field. This would help us support organizations to the best of our ability while also making an academic contribution. The focus of CIRLL’s energy and efforts is on the idea that people should come before money.

For queries, contact – cphl@nluo.ac.in