Justice Surya Kant Inaugurates Mega Legal Literacy Campaign in Mandi, Stresses on Disaster Analysis and Drug-Free Society.
Shimla:
A grand Legal Literacy Campaign was inaugurated today in Mandi under the joint aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (HPSLSA). The event witnessed the presence of several esteemed members of the judiciary and was centered around critical themes including Drug-Free Society – India’s Resolve, Environmental Protection, and Rehabilitation of Disaster Victims.
Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman of NALSA, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the State Legal Services Authority, and Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge of the High Court and Executive Chairman of HPSLSA, as special guests.
Key Highlights of the Event:
Environmental Concerns & Natural Disasters:
In his keynote address, Justice Surya Kant emphasized the urgent need for in-depth analysis of the causes of natural disasters, especially in ecologically sensitive hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh. Referring to the recent devastating natural calamities in the state, he lauded the resilience and humanitarian response shown by local communities.
“The compassion and solidarity shown by Himachal’s people during recent disasters is a testament to the character and unity of our nation,” he said.
Justice Surya Kant also appreciated the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s initiative of creating a Chief Justice Relief Fund, which has already provided immediate assistance to over 2,665 affected families and nearly 11,061 individuals.
He stressed the importance of preserving nature, saying that Indian tradition views nature as a mother, but the growing conflict between man and nature has led to serious environmental degradation. He cited a NALSA initiative in Kerala, where Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) are raising awareness at the grassroots level on biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Call for Drug-Free Society:
Justice Surya Kant made a strong appeal for a united fight against drug abuse, calling it one of the most dangerous threats to society.
“Even a single individual’s addiction affects the entire family. Despite strict laws, drug abuse continues to rise. Awareness and collective action are key,” he said.
He urged panchayat representatives, local citizens, families, and law enforcement agencies to work together, particularly with para-legal volunteers, to combat drug use effectively.
Justice Sandhawalia on Awareness & Rehabilitation:
Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, highlighted the constitutional right to live a dignified life and how substance abuse robs individuals of that dignity.
He informed the audience that the State Legal Services Authority is actively conducting Legal Literacy Camps in schools and colleges across the state, spreading awareness among youth about the dangers of drug addiction. So far, 191 such camps have been held in collaboration with the police department.
Justice Sandhawalia underscored that awareness, education, preventive measures, and community cooperation are the most effective tools in the fight against drugs.
Role of Families and Values:
Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, emphasized the role of family values and cultural upbringing in preventing drug addiction. He said drug abuse ultimately leads to the downfall of society and called for strong family involvement in instilling moral values in youth.
Touching on environmental issues, he remarked that imbalanced human activity and overexploitation of natural resources are primary causes of modern-day disasters.
Other Highlights:
Justice Ajay Mohan Goel welcomed attendees.
Justice Sandeep Sharma delivered the vote of thanks.
Post-event, Justice Surya Kant interacted with disaster-affected families and visited exhibitions set up by various departments.
The event was attended by a distinguished gathering including, Justices Sandeep Sharma, Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Satyen Vaidya, Sushil Kukreja, Virender Singh, Ranjan Sharma, Bipin Chandra Negi, Rakesh Kainthla, Jia Lal Bhardwaj, and Romesh Verma.
Registrar General Bhupesh Sharma, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Political Advisor to CM Sunil Sharma, Himachal Bar Council President Lavnish Kanwar, High Court Bar Association President Hamendra Singh, Deputy Solicitor General Balram Sharma, DC Apoorv Devgan, SP Sakshi Verma, among others.
The campaign not only highlighted legal literacy, but also brought critical societal challenges—like drug abuse, environmental sustainability, and disaster management—to the forefront. Through legal awareness and collaborative efforts between the judiciary, government, and public, the event sought to inspire active citizen participation in building a just, safe, and sustainable society.
