Lucknow: The birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri were observed with dignity and enthusiasm at the District Court, Lucknow, on Friday. A special Prabhat Pheri (morning awareness rally) was also organised to spread awareness about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The programme was organised under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Lucknow, under the chairmanship of District Judge and DLSA Chairman Malkhan Singh. The District Judge, President of the Lucknow Bar Association, DLSA Secretary Kunwar Mitresh Singh Kushwaha and judicial officers paid floral tributes to Gandhi and Shastri.
Addressing the gathering, District Judge Malkhan Singh highlighted the continuing relevance of Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence and cleanliness. He also recalled Shastri’s simple lifestyle and contribution to the nation and urged participants to follow the values demonstrated by both leaders.
He said that, in accordance with directions from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi, and the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, judicial officers had conducted special legal literacy programmes in schools to educate children about the POCSO Act, 2012.
As part of the initiative, teachers and students of National Inter College, Centennial Inter College, Lucknow Christian Inter College and Nari Shiksha Niketan participated in the Prabhat Pheri to sensitise the public about child protection and the provisions of the POCSO Act.
District Judge Malkhan Singh flagged off the rally from the court premises. Lawyers associated with the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), panel advocates, para-legal volunteers, and employees of the court and DLSA participated enthusiastically in the awareness drive.
