NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL OF INDIA UNIVERSITY

Nagarbhavi, Bangalore – 560 242

THE OUTREACH AND EXTENSION OF NLSIU AT A GLANCE

JANUARY, 2012

2^nd to 7^th January, 2012 – ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

Organised by : Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, NLSIU

Coordinated by : Dr. S Japhet

With a mission to understand contemporary social justice issues in India, students from the University of Iowa, accompanied by a faculty member, arrived at the Law School on 2^nd January 2012 for a week long orientation. Visthar, an NGO concerned with promoting transformative and inclusive education chose the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) on a recommendation by Professor R. Rajagopal from the University of Iowa for providing the orientation as a pilot initiative to explore the possibility of future collaboration between the CSSEIP - NLSIU and University of Iowa. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. R. Venkata Rao, extended a warm and cordial welcome to the guests. The program was coordinated by Prof. S. Japhet, effectively assisted by his colleagues Prof. Ajit Kumar, Gangambika and Shashikala G.

A series of lectures were organised on issues concerning Class, Caste and Gender inequalities. Distinguished speakers called on to give the lectures included Professors: G. Haragopal, Sudhir Krishnaswamy, M.V Vasu, Manohar Yadav, Pramod Mohanty, Sangita and Abdul Aziz. Apart from lectures, the program included screening of documentary films and interaction with students and faculty of the Law School.

The orientation program was well received by the students. Also, students from the Law School were equally thrilled to interact with them and held sessions with the accompanying faculty member to discuss the approach and concerns of the US legal system. The University of Iowa has evinced a keen interest to collaborate with the Law School in the near future.

6^th January, 2012 – THE III NLS UNION DEBATE

Coordinated by: The Literary and Debating Society and The Law and Society Committee (Students)

The NLS Union Debate jointly organised by the Literary and Debating Society (“LnD”), and the Law and Society Committee (“the LawSoc”), of the National Law School, Bangalore the third edition of the Union Debate saw a fierce battle over the Delhi University’s decision to remove A.K. Ramanujan’s 300 Ramayanas from its undergraduate history syllabus. The motion was: “This house condemns the Delhi University’s decision to remove ‘Three hundred Ramayanas: Five examples and three thoughts on translations’ from its history syllabus”. On the Proposition side were Dr. Sitharamam Kakarala (the Director of and Senior Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society. Mr. Nadim Haider Ali Khan (a senior researcher at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at the NLS), and Priyanka Madan (a second year undergraduate student at the NLS). Supporting the decision of the Delhi University were Dr. Chandan Mitra, a former B.J.P. spokesperson and the current editor-in-chief of The Pioneer, who is currently a Rajya Sabha member representing the B.J.P., Kalyani Ramnath, an alumna from the batch of 2009 who currently teaches History at the NLS, and, Gagan K., a second year post-graduate student at the NLS.

The Opposition: Chandan Mitra, Kalyani Ramnath, Gagan K.

Mr. Chandan Gowda, a sociologist from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a former Associate Professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, who is currently associated with the Azim Premji University, contextualised the debate by providing a succinct summary of events

The debate began on that sombre note. Professor Kakarala, opening for the Proposition, based his arguments on three grounds: first, the changing nature of learning and pedagogy, secondly, the politicised nature of blasphemy and authenticity, and finally, the fundamentality of diversity and pluralism of cultures in India and elsewhere. 

Dr. Chandan Mitra disagreed vehemently. Ramanujan’s 300 Ramayanas, he said, is the result of political scheming. The essay denigrates certain elements of India’s predominant faith; it was introduced with political aims by the left neo-liberal academia. This movement against the predominant Hindu faith was begun long ago, he said.

At this point, Mr. Khan intervened. 300 Ramayanas is not an isolated defensive response; India’s history of censorship and banning of books (for example, Rohinton Mistry’s Such a Long Journey by the Mumbai University) show academia buckling under political pressure. Academic freedom is compromised. Not only this, the procedure followed by the D.U.’s Academic Council (a meeting with very little prior notice and practically no discussion of the issue) shows a concerted move towards stifling academic freedom. Ms. Madan and Mr. Gagan clashed on the nature of learning in higher education. While Ms. Madan felt the injustice of eighteen-year-olds being able to vote but not read 300 Ramayanas, Mr. Gagan emphasised the importance of defining the bounds of education, and of imparting the ‘right’ values to students.

This is, Ms. Ramnath held, a blinkered view of events, merely one of the many “readings and retellings” of the decision. The removal of the essay neither causes great anxiety, nor deserves the condemnation it has received. The removal, if it must be defended, is as much an exercise of academic freedom as its retention would have been. The D.U.’s processes to formulate syllabi are internal, and should bother no one else.

The Union Debate has left us with many questions. What do we teach students? When do we, or do we at all, teach each other the value of tolerance and pluralism of faiths and within faiths? Do we forsake the expansion of thought and experience by choosing to stick to old, well-worn, comfortable versions of ‘truth’? These, as well as the age-old Millian question: Can we, as a dominant group (by numbers or power), suppress or neglect the minority opinions? What freedom, then? .  opinions? What freedom, then?

The Conference began with the welcome speech by Prof.(Dr.) T. Ramakrishna, MHRD Chair Professor NLSIU, in which he gave a brief overview regarding the aim and ambit of the Conference. This was followed by a highly inspirational address by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof.(Dr.) R.Venkata Rao. The inaugural speech was delivered by Mr. Kumar Ranganathan, Principal Engineer Intel. His speech was enlightening from the industrial and corporate perspective. He described patent as a motivation for innovation, an offensive tool in competition and a tool of cross licensing. Mr. Ranganathan also stressed on importance of having a strong property rights regime for the effective implementation of the Intellectual Property Rights. The inaugural session was concluded by the Key Note address by Mr. Naren Thapetta who gave an insight about the struggles faced by small scale inventors. He made an interesting observation that most of the inventions include some kind of infringements of the other patents and it is inevitable.

The 1^st Technical Session on First to File & First to Publish was chaired by Dr. Chandra Bajagur from Shell India, Bangalore. The 1^st Speaker for the session was Amandeep Sabarwal. She spoke about the background of the introduction of the America Invents Act and gave a comparison of the provisions of the existing Act and the changes proposed by the American Invents Act. The second foot of the session began with the discussion lead by Mr. Daniel E Altman from Knobbe Martens, USA. He moved into the intricacies of the first to file system and the relevance of the speedy disclosure by the inventor in getting a patent. The discussion was continued by Mr. Milan Kapadia, who had begun with the comparison of the current and the new systems. The last speaker of the session was Dr. Eric Dias who began with the discussion of the history of the Act and the Constitutional basis of the patent laws in US.

The 2^nd Technical Session on Removal of ‘Best Mode requirement’ and Post grant Proceedings, was chaired by Mr. Naren Thappeta. The session began with an enlightening speech by Mr. Subashish Das Gupta. He elaborated the concept of the Post Grant Review (PGR) and the specific timelines imposed under the new regime. The discussion was continued by Mr. Dan and Mr. Milan, who further deliberated on the points, lay down by Mr. Gupta. They elaborated the existing two part test and the drawbacks of the existing system. Ms. Bindu Sharma gave a brief description regarding the Indian aspect. Dr. Senthil also gave valuable insights on the topic.

The post lunch session began with the panel discussion on Divided Infringement which was chaired by Mr. Milan Kapadia. The session began with an interesting presentation by Dr. S.K. Murthy, who gave a ground level introduction to the topic through his example relating to the drafting of a mobile related patent involving three parties to give the panel a broader insight into the dangers of how a faulty drafting may draw in the dangers of a divided infringement. Next speaker Mr. Saurabh  Malhotra was raised the issues by whether it is feasible to focus the claim on a single factor if the invention is performed by the multiple devices; the differences of America Invent Act 2011 with its predecessor; and discussed the effects of this Act on the inventor community in India. Mr. Dan. started discussion with infringement theories and joint infringement, with reference of recent federal circuit cases. He also described the defensive use of joint infringement and discussed the drafting of single-actor claims with citation of original examples. The conference was concluded by the brief analysis of each session by the respective Chairpersons. Ending remark made by Prof.(Dr.)T. Ramakrishna and Certificates were distributed to all the participants.

16^th to 20^th January, 2012 – LEGAL ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR INCOME TAX OFFICIALS

Coordinated by: Prof. T V Subba Rao

Legal Orientation Programme for Income Tax Officials was held at the Training Centre.  Prof. T V Subba Rao coordinated the programme.  Hon’ble Dr. Justice S Rajendra Babu inaugurated the programme.  The Vice chancellor  welcomed the gathering.  About 26 participants attended the programme.   The following sessions were held”:

General Principles of Law/Legal System-I  :  Prof. R Venkata Rao / Prof. T V Subba Rao

Basic Principles of Administrative Law        :  Prof. V S Mallar

Right to Information & the Role of Public Authorities : Dr. Sairam Bhat

Aspects of Succession Law : Dr. Sarasu Esther Thomas

Criminal Procedure Code : Prov. S V Joga Rao

Provisions of Law of Evidence : Prof. S V Joga Rao

Principles of Interpretation of Statutes : Dr. O V Nandimath

LLP & Partnership : Dr. Sairam Bhat

Law of Contracts : Dr. O V Nandimath
Civil Procedure Code : Dr. S V Joga Rao

Information Technology Act & its relevance to Income Tax : Ms. A Nagarathna

Transfer of Property Act : Dr. S B N Prakash

Principles of Natural Justice : Prof. V S Mallar

Principles of Criminal Law : Dr. S V Joga Rao

Hindu Law – HUF : Prof. T V Subba Rao

Trends in Judicial Interpretation in IT : Hon’ble Dr. Justice Rajendra Babu

22nd and 23 January 2012

Organised by: BCI, Orissa State Bar Council and Advanced Centre for Research, Development and Training in Cyber Laws and Forensics, NLSIU, Bangalore.

Coordinated by: Dr. O  V Nandimath

Two day training programme was held for young advocates of Orissa in Cyber Laws and Cyber Forensics was organised at Cuttack, Orissa.  Following sessions were held:

Understanding ‘Cyber Space’, ‘Cyber Security’ & ‘Cyber Crimes’  : Mr. Mahesh Shenoy, Toughtnet Tech. B’Lore

Procedural and Evidentiary Aspects in Cyber Crime: Mr. Na Vijayashankar, Director Ujvala Consultants Pvt Ltd

Legal Environment in Regulating the Cyber Space in India : Prof. Dr. S V Joga Rao

Technological Aspects of Cyber Security & Related Matters : Mr. Mahesh Shenoy, Toughtnet Tech. B’Lore

Understanding ‘Cyber Space’, ‘Cyber Security’ & ‘Cyber Crimes’ : Justice S R Bannurmath, Former Chief Justice, Kerala

23^rd to 25^th January, 2012 – TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR LAW OFFICERS OF CANARA BANK 

Coordinated by: Prof. M P P Pillai

Three days training programme for Law Officers of Canara Bank was held at the Training Centre, NLSIU.  The sessions were held as follows:

Legal Enforceability of International Commercial Contracts : Dr. A Jayagovind, Professor & Former VC, NLSIU

Derivatives : Mr. B N Harish, Founding Partner, Narasappa, Doraswamy & Raja

Mergers, Demergers and Schemes of Arrangement and Compromise : Mr. Promod Nair, Partner, J Sagar Associates/

Prof. M P P Pillai

Negotiable Instruments Act : Prof. M P P Pillai

Legal aspects of Infrastructure Finance & Documentation : Mr. Pradeep Ratnam, Director-Legal, IDFC Project Equity Co Ltd

Joint Ventures with foreign Companies & Documentation" Mr. Siddharth Raja, Founding Partner, Narasappa, Doraswamy & Raja

LPD accounts, Recovery, OTS & SARF AESI action: Mr.M Sridhara, DGM, Sri. R Ravikumar, AGM, Recovery Wing, HO

Limited Liability Partnership Act & Indian Partnership Act: Prof. M P P Pillai, Ms. Surabhi Rajpal, NLSIU

Criminal Liability of borrowers & guarantors: Ms. Shaneen Parikh, Ms. Namrata Kolar, Amarchand & Mangadas & Suresh A Shoroff Co

Security Prospects & enforceability of Patents, CRights etc: Ms. Marylou Bilawala, Mr. Ankit Majumdar, Wadia Ghandy & Co

Restructuring & Rehabilitation, CDR, BIFT/AAIFR-Procedures: Mr. NVS Bhat, AGM, Mr. KJ Pai, Sr. Manager, Recovery Wing, HO

The programme concluded with discussions, interactions among the participants and vote of thanks.

25th January, 2012 :  NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RELIGIOUS MINORITIES: ISSUES & CHALLENGES IN INDIA

Organised by the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy, NLSIU

Coordinated by: Dr. S Japhet

The national symposium organised by Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy was inaugurated by Dr. Oscar Fernades, Hon’ble Member of Parliament. The chief guest on the occasion was Dr. K. Rahman Khan, Hon’ble Dy. Chairman of Rajya Sabha.  It was presided over by Prof. R. Venkata Rao, the Vice Chancellor of NLSIU. The keynote address was given by Prof. Valerian Rodrigues of Jawaharlal Nehru University. The welcome address was by Prof. S. Japhet, the Director of CSSEIP. It was attended by more than 200 persons from diverse fields. Some five papers were presented followed by fruitful discussions. Among the paper presenters were Prof. Satish Despande from Delhi University on “Intractable Intersection: Communities, Minorities and Inequalities”; Prof. Abdul Aziz, visiting faculty at CSSEIP, on “Emerging Indian Economy and Religious Minorities”; Dr. Rowena Robinson, Professor from IIT Mumbai on “Religious Freedoms and Minorities in India”; Prof Valerian Rodrigues on “The State and Christian Minorities in India: A case from Karnataka.” The symposium concluded with a valedictory address by Dr. J. Alexander followed by a vote of thanks by Dr.Y.Moses, senior researcher at CSSEIP

26^th January, 2012 : 63^rd REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS

63^rd Republic Day was celebrated at National Law School of India University, Bangalore.  Students from St. Joseph’s law college who had come to attend the classes arranged by Dr. Sarasu E Thomas also participated in the programme.  The Vice chancellor gave an inspirational speech at the gathering.  Sweets were distributed.  Mrs. Rajamma from Examination Department was felicitated for showing her integrity in handing over the gold chain that she found in the campus.

30^th January to 1^st February, 2012 : TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD OFFICERS

Coordinated by: Prof. O V Nandimath

Training programme for Pollution Control Board Officers on  “ Environmental Legislation, Interpretations and Enforcement” was held at the Training Centre.  About 10 persons attended the programme.  Resource persons were:

Prof. M K Ramesh : Env. Justice: An Overview (Contemporary) Relevant Thinking Emerging Jurisprudential Trends in Environmental Law in India

Prof. V Nagaraj: Env. Injury & Remedies: Latest Development in National Green Tribunal

Prof. O V Nandimath : Latest Development in Environmental Impact Assessment and Public Participation

Prof. Sairam Bhat : Hazardous Substances Management Law, New Notifications & Trends

Dr. Hementh &Dr. Suman : Bio Medical Waste Management and handling rules

Prof. H K Nagaraja : International Environmental Law – the Emerging trends and its implications to India.

The programme concluded with drawing of conclusions, sharing of experiences, course evaluation and future course of action. Prof. R Venkata Rao, Vice chancellor addressed the Valedictory function.

6^th to 8^th February, 2012 : TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD OFFICERS

Coordinated by: Dr. O V Nandimath

Training Programme for Pollution Control Board Officers on “Environmental issues, legal and statutory requirements in mining sector was held at the training centre from 6^th to 8^th February, 2012.  The Vice chancellor inaugurated the programme. Technical sessions on the following were held

Understanding Indian Mining Sector in the Globalised Context” : Mr. S Ravi Kuamr, Gem Solutions Impact of Mining on Forest Resouces, Forest Dwellers’ Rights etc., : Dr. Sharad Lele, Senior Fellow, ATREE  The mining sector in India & the Overarching Legal Environment : Prof. M K Ramesh, NLSIU The Mile stone judicial pronouncements (pertaining to mining sector) : Dr. Sairam Bhat, NLSIU The Mining sector and corporate social responsibility : Prof. V Nagaraj, Registrar, NLSIU

Later the programme ended by drawing of conclusions, sharing of experiences by the participants and course evaluation coordinated by Prof. O V Nandimath.

22nd  Febraury 2012


Child Rights in India and Role of Human Rights Institutions: An Inter-Commission Dialogue

The Inter Commission Dialogue was organized by Center for Child and the Law as a part of the current UNICEF project on “ Justice to Children though Independent Human Rights Institutions”.   It was held on 22^nd of February, 2012, in Magnolia Hall, Habitat Center at New Delhi.  This Dialogue was organized with the core objective to understand better the role of Commission for the Protection of Human Rights, Women’s Commission, Minority Commissions, Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Commissions and National and State Commission for Protection of Child Rights  to collectively develop a protocol and guidelines for Commissions that would enable them to build convergence while also helping to address issues concerning violation of child rights that are of common interest and to  collectively deliberate on the current experiences and consider areas where law reform needs to be initiated to further empower human rights institutions to effectively fulfill their respective role and function in the interest of children.

The first session was chaired by Mr. Justice (Retd) Santosh Hegde in which the representatives from the six National Commissions emphasized about the need for coordination between commissions on child rights and also highlighted issues concerning children that required consolidated efforts and interventions by all. The afternoon session was chaired by Prof N.R. Madhava Menon during which the participants deliberated on the manner in which they can proceed given the commonality of aspirations and intentions.  

26th February 2012

Judicial Colloquium on Children’s Courts

Judicial Colloquium on Children’s Courts was organized by Justice to Children through Independent Human Rights Institutions Project, In collaboration with Law Commission of India, New Delhi. Supported by UNICEF India Country Office, New Delhi held on 26^th Feb 2012 at ITC, NLSIU.

Judicial Colloquium provided a platform for the honorable members of the Judiciary to come together and share ideas, thoughts and opinions on the issue of Children’s Court and other identified issues so as to move towards greater clarity that can in turn inform and guide the functioning of Children’s Courts. There were thematic issues based presentations and discussions.

The colloquium was graced by eminent people, Hon’ble Justice P.V Reddy, Chairman, Law Commission of India; Hon’ble Justice Muralidar, High Court of Delhi; Hon’ble Justice Bakktavatsala, Hon’ble Justice N. Kumar, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. R. Venkata Rao, Law Secretaries from Goa and Kerala,    Magistrates, Advocates,  Faculty members from NLSIU, NGO’s, CWC Chairperson from Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore and the CCL team. 









7th - 10th April 2012

Capacity building workshop for Members and the Chairperson of Bihar Child Rights Commission

Centre for Child and the Law conducted a capacity building workshop for Members and the Chairperson of Bihar Child Rights Commission, one UNCIEF consultant and One Administrative Officer. The Training was conducted for a period of 3 days from 7^th of April to 10^th of April 2012. The Training aimed at building the basics and foundation of Human Rights Institution in general and Child Rights Commission in Particular.  The Sessions were on UNCRC, JJ Act in brief, Functions of the Commission, Financial Powers of the Commission, Complaint mechanism, meetings etc. The participants were given handouts consisting of various formats/proforma that can be used by the Commission and the PPT’s used by the resource persons.

Click Here for the Detailed View of Programmes held during July - November, 2012