On 3 December 2015, members of IDIA West Bengal Chapter visited the Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys’ Academy, Narendrapur, Kolkata for sensitizing the students and the members of the institution about law as a viable career choice. The day held special significance as 3 December 2015 has been designated as the International Day of People with Disability by the United Nations and is celebrated around the world.
The team comprising Mr. Arnab Roy (Director), Ms. Trina Saha (Director), Saubhagya Raj Alfred (Team Leader), Abhisheak Verma (Deputy Leader), Aditya Pattnaik (Student Director) and Lakesh Meena (IDIA Scholar) reached the institution at approx. 10:00 AM. Upon their arrival, they met Mr. Bishwajeet Ghosh, an inspiring personality who is the principal of the institution and a person with visual impairment. During the brief meeting, the team and the Head Master had a discussion on the purpose and efforts of IDIA. Mr. Ghosh was highly impressed by the past work done by IDIA and shared success stories of the institution and its students.
After the brief conversation, the team started the sensitization campaign in which both the directors of IDIA interacted with the stud
ents of the institution in Bangla. They discussed the aim of IDIA and law as a lucrative career option. In order to make sensitization simple yet engaging, the directors drew several humorous analogies, which kept the session interesting for students.
The team leader of the WB team spoke to the students about his life in an national law university (“NLU”). He talked about various interesting extra-curricular activities which take place in an NLU. Next, the IDIA scholar Lakesh shared his story. He described the hardships which he faces on account of his visual impairment. He also discussed the role of IDIA and the NLU in guiding him in the right direction in his life.
The sensitization was followed by a brief Q&A session where students, teachers and the guest of honor, Ms. Preity Ghosh, asked various questions to the team. The questions included queries about the financial burden on a person from economically backward family for seeking admission in and studying in a law school; and the age limit for pursuing law. The directors responded by informing the audience about the aids which IDIA provides to the students from marginalized communities and the recent trend in CLAT regarding the age limit.
Towards the end of the sensitization campaign, a large number of students as well as parents seemed intrigued about law as a career option. The principal appreciated the efforts of the IDIA team in travelling a long distance from their NLU to sensitize the students about law as a career option and wished the team very best in their endeavors.
This article has been written by Praharsh Gour, Intern, IDIA Kolkata, who accompanied the team for the sensitisation. It has been edited for clarity.