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

The Centre for Women and Law (CWL) at National Law University Odisha, in collaboration with the National Commission for Women (NCW), is organizing a regional consultation on “Cyber Laws Affecting Women” on 9th November 2024. This consultation aims to bring together experts, judicial officers, and policymakers to review and propose amendments to cyber laws with a focus on enhancing protections for women in digital spaces. Through a hybrid format, the event will facilitate meaningful dialogue and the development of recommendations to address contemporary challenges faced by women online.

Event Details:

• Date: 9th November 2024
• Format: Hybrid (In-person and Online)
• Venue: Conference Hall, Admin Block, NLUO, Cuttack

Information Brochure

National Law University Odisha invites you to join the Annual Shri Dinabandhu Sahu Memorial Lecture on the topic “Framing Juvenile Justice in Child Rights” by Shri Amod K Kanth on October 8, 2024 at 4:00 pm in virtual mode using the following link: https://meet.google.com/qet-eirg-fgq?hs=224.

Information Brochure

Register for the National Seminar on “Women In Unorganised Sector : Social, Economic And Policy Perspectives” sponsored by National Commission for Women and Organized by the Centre for Women and Law, National Law University Odisha. The Seminar also invites Research papers for NLUO- NCW National Seminar 2024 entitled “ Women In Unorganised Sector : Social, Economic And Policy Perspectives ”.

About NLUO: National Law University Odisha (“NLU Odisha”) was established in the year 2008 by the Odisha government with a vision to develop as a Centre of Excellence in Legal Education, to emerge as a place of professional learning, and to further nurture the idea of “serviceability” to the people to carry forward the social justice mission of legal education. In furtherance of the same, the Legal Aid Society of NLU Odisha was established in the year 2012 with a mission to implement the mandate of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

About the Centre: The Centre for Women & Law (CWL) is a Research Centre of National Law University Odisha which works with the combined effort of faculty members and students of NLUO. The Centre was established with a view of having a platform for the unremitting study of the structural, societal, legal and regulatory issues associated with gender from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

About the Seminar: The seminar aims to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women in India’s unorganized sector and their socio-economic impacts. Through critical analysis of policy frameworks, participants will identify actionable reforms to enhance women’s rights and protections. By promoting collaboration and advocacy, the seminar seeks to mobilize stakeholders towards collective action, driving positive change for women in the unorganized sector. The outcome is a roadmap for empowering women, improving their access to economic opportunities, and social security, and promoting their overall well-being. The seminar targets women working across diverse sectors within the unorganized sector, with a specific focus on the chosen region. This includes women engaged in home-based work, gig workers, platform- based economy participants (like home-based beauty service providers), household industry workers, casual labourers, those in regular wage employment, independent workers, domestic workers, and individuals in low-tier positions within the ITES sector, among others.

Date: 5th October 2024

Venue: Seminar Hall, National Law University, Odisha (Hybrid Mode)

Call for Research Papers

Centre for Women and Law, National Law University, Odisha invites researchers, academicians, students, practitioners, social and women activists to submit research papers based on original research or review papers related to the theme of the seminar. The broad theme of the seminar is: “Women in the Unorganized Sector: Social, Economic, and Policy Perspectives” . Appreciation certificates will be awarded for the Best Paper presented based on presentation as well as quality of the paper.

Important Dates

25^th September, 2024 : Last date for submission of full paper

27^th September, 2024 : Date of notification of selected papers

5^th October, 2024 : Date of seminar

Find the link for registration here. There is no registration fee for attending the seminar or for presenting a paper.

Information Brochure

On Gandhi Jayanti, 2nd October, the NSS Bureau of National Law University, in collaboration with Project Kutumb, will organize a Cleanliness Drive in the villages of Baba Tilkanagar and Brajbiharipur from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Themed “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata (4S),” the event promotes cleanliness and community responsibility. We invite everyone to participate and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.