DLSA Durg Concludes Five-Day Community Mediation Training Programme To Promote Litigation-Free Rural India

The initiative was undertaken under the guidance of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh and Patron-in-Chief of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. During the training, participants received practical instruction on community mediation, communication skills, active listening, dispute analysis, ethical values and amicable settlement of disputes through group discussions, role-play and practical exercises.

According to DLSA Secretary Umesh Kumar Bhagwatkar, community mediators from five villages—Ghughsidih, Nankatthi, Arasnara, Nikum and Kuthrel—were trained to promote peace, dialogue and harmonious resolution of minor social, family and community disputes at the village level. The trained mediators were presented with certificates during the valedictory ceremony.

To facilitate the programme, DLSA adopted a multi-sectoral approach by involving various government departments, Para Legal Volunteers, public representatives, social workers and the District Bar Association. Officials stated that the initiative is expected to transform community mediation into a people's movement by encouraging wider participation in grassroots dispute resolution.

The programme also witnessed active participation by women community mediators, highlighting their growing role in strengthening community-based dispute resolution and grassroots social transformation. Another notable feature was the participation of a husband-and-wife duo from Gram Panchayat Ghughsidih, who underwent the training together to serve their community.

As part of its awareness campaign, DLSA Durg also released an original Chhattisgarhi-language song promoting the values of dialogue, consensus, peace and amicable settlement of disputes through community mediation. The authority said the culturally rooted initiative is intended to encourage voluntary participation in mediation and reduce avoidable litigation in rural areas.