By M.C. Linthoingambee
Giving a right to free legal aid to a citizen of India is a major useful exercise of the Constitution. But Legal Aid in India is something which many may not be aware of. How many in Manipur for that matter are aware that if you ever need legal advice and aid in legal related areas, the main building opens in the Cheirap Court if you are a resident of Manipur? While serving some days in the Legal Aid Clinic, Manipur I paid certain observations to its working. With a number of 16 paralegal volunteers in place, a smooth functioning occurs with counseling services being provided on certain days of the week. So what type of people comes here? Anybody or anyone who calls for a SOS related to anything legal in nature, most particularly a person who cannot afford an advocate comes here to request for one. Legal aid makes for the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and right to a fair trial. The words of Article 39A also warns that providing or availing of free legal aid is neither a charity it is merely adhering to the fundamental rights of a person in the best available resources. Maintaining an uptight regime with the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 some drastic changes are made possible in the field of legal service while providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats to secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity.
The need for social welfare is the road to speedy access to development whilst upholding the earlier and old principles which have been in practice for a very long time. Campaigning and providing better awareness on various socially related aspects would befit the role of a parent molding the children to stand upright. Time is slowly changing both in the law and elsewhere. India is one of the fastest growing nations in the world who just welcomed the likes of INS Vikramaditya into its shores and made a successful launch of the Indian made cryogenically powered rocket launch vehicle GSLV – D5 carrying a GSAT – 14 satellite and are make certain other advancements to the realm of development. So where does such a country lack in fighting off poverty? With a new government in place in the capital and the breathtaking debut of the AAP with its leader who is also the current Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal things have slightly overturned as they venture onto become the third phenomena of the face of Indian politics after Congress and BJP. And should we not forget of the introduction of the anti-corruption helpline. Yes, the helpline reported over a total of over 4000 cases in just 7 hours on the first day the helpline opened for public complaint. Maybe, the winter chills won’t get to the homeless and beggars on the road if such things had come earlier. Turns out, it is not only the government who has to take up all the first steps to bringing changes in our world. We grow with one act of random kindness at a time to be exact. It is indeed not too late to ensure that global warming does not rise and take our lives with more release of things like the polar vortex as happening in the US and various parts of Europe. Maybe all things don’t fit but listing out some of the successful and unsuccessful things in the world will perhaps help bring everyone in order.
(M.C. Linthoingambee is an undergraduate pursuing B.Com. LL.B(H). An avid blogger, poet, a seasonal artist and a foodie, she is also a life member to the Indian Society of the Red Cross.)
