Reel Of Hanumangarh DLSA Of Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority Bags First Prize For West Zone In NALSA's Competition

In an inspiring demonstration of creativity and commitment to public legal education, law students from Nehru Memorial Law College, situated within the jurisdiction of the Hanumangarh District Legal Services Authority, operating under the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, have brought pride to Rajasthan by winning the first prize in the Reel Category for the West Zone in the National Legal Services Authority's Reel and Short Video Making Competition.

Organised on the theme “Connecting with the Cause,” this national-level competition was initiated by NALSA to engage law students across the country in spreading awareness about legal rights and entitlements through short videos and reels. The competition was designed with the understanding that social media and visual storytelling have immense potential to bridge the awareness gap between the legal system and ordinary citizens, especially among the youth. By using contemporary tools of communication, NALSA sought to encourage creative legal outreach to promote literacy about important schemes and services available for free legal aid.

The competition divided the country into four zones – North, South, East and West – to ensure wider participation and regional representation. Rajasthan was part of the West Zone, along with seven other states. Among a host of impressive entries from across this zone, the reel submitted by law students Himanshu Joshi and Jebunisha of Nehru Memorial Law College stood out and secured the top position. Their entry, submitted through the Hanumangarh DLSA, was declared the winner in the Reel Category for the West Zone and will be awarded a cash prize of ₹10,000.

The winning reel was based on the NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024, and NALSA (Legal Services for Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes) Scheme 2015 and focused on sensitising the public to the legal rights of children and the services available to ensure their safety and development. The video touched upon essential and sensitive topics such as the concept of good touch and bad touch, the prevalence and illegality of child labour, and the fundamental right to education. Through thoughtful scripting, visual clarity and emotional appeal, the students managed to convey complex legal provisions in an engaging and easily understandable format. Their work reflects not only a deep understanding of the law but also a commendable effort to communicate its essence in a relatable manner.

The competition invited entries on several key NALSA schemes, including the NALSA (Legal Services for Mentally Ill and Intellectually Disabled Persons) Scheme, 2024 and the NALSA (Legal Services for Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes) Scheme, 2015 and in addition to the child-friendly services scheme. These schemes are designed to protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalised populations by ensuring free legal assistance and awareness of existing entitlements under various laws and government programs.

This initiative by NALSA is rooted in recent judicial and parliamentary observations. The Supreme Court of India, in the case of Suhas Chakma v. Union of India and Others, strongly emphasised the urgent need to improve public understanding of legal aid and its availability. Similarly, the 143rd Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice noted with concern the growing justice gap in the country and attributed it to the widespread lack of awareness among citizens, especially those from disadvantaged sections, about their rights and the legal remedies available to them. In response to such findings, the idea behind this competition was to creatively engage law students and legal services institutions in promoting legal awareness through accessible and popular mediums like reels and short videos.

The recognition earned by the students from Hanumangarh DLSA is a testament to the evolving role of legal aid institutions at the grassroots level. It showcases how, when given the opportunity, young legal minds can become strong advocates for social change. The success of this reel also highlights the innovative steps being taken by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority and its affiliated district units to ensure that justice becomes not only accessible but also visible and approachable to the public.

The reel will now serve as a valuable resource in future awareness campaigns, helping reach wider audiences and instilling in the public a better understanding of children's rights and the protective mechanisms available under Indian law. This achievement is a proud moment for Rajasthan and will undoubtedly inspire other law colleges and students to participate in similar initiatives, contributing to NALSA's larger mission of ensuring justice for all, especially the most vulnerable.