Pratiti Desai (Batch: 2016-2021)
Backlog of Cases is a term that we all who are associated with legal profession are aware of. But how many of us do actually work towards eliminating the same? This project can be considered as a mooring for the same.
I did two internships under this project. The first was at Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development Department and another was at the Revenue Department. Both the government departments were at New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar. Our work was to study the working of the department, aid them legally, find out the reasons for backlog and possible solutions for the same. This was an extremely enriching experience as it gave immense exposure to study the legal technicalities and functioning of the Government department which are different from the private litigations.
It gave an altogether new perspective, from the part of Government, on the existing backlog and broadened our horizons. It also helped to increase the knowledge and put the same into practice giving optimism, induced with faith, that with some sincere and concrete hard-work we can at least, if not eliminate, reduce the quantum of backlog and ameliorate the standards of providing justice to the people as well as the Government department.
Eeshwar Jawadhi (Batch: 2016-2021)
I started this internship in the month of August 2017 and I continued till October 2017. It is the great experience to work with GIC (Gujarat Information commission). For few days it went on like a training session for us which is an excellent program, but after this We could start contributing some thing for GIC. My personal contribution is about the brail Right to information act 2005 in braille. I could proofread the book and have suggested the necessary changes in the book. I am very happy to know that they are making their office inclusive. The Office is also very active in disposing off the cases.
Payal Baske (Batch 2015-20)
I interned at Gujarat State Information Commission and Office of Industries Commissionerate, Gandhinagar.
GSIC is a State body that deals with RTI matters of State of Gujarat. Its jurisdiction doesn't go beyond that. We as interns learnt about the procedures and functioning of the Office. Through leading case laws, we got a deeper and better understanding of RTI as a subject matter. However, language barrier existed as it functioned fully in Gujarati format and we could get access only to the English texts.
Office of Industries Commissionerate dealt with Micro, Small and Medium enterprises. Starting from their setting up till solving their issues and helping them revive through any type of assistance or financially. We worked in every aspect of it, learnt how they function and helped disposing a lot of cases that were pending. We attended Council meetings on Wednesdays which gave us a practical knowledge of how proceedings are held. Language was not a hindrance since all the documents were in English.
Timings were very flexible as internships were held after class hours till 6pm.
Also the staff and our seniors were cooperative throughout the period of our internship. They solved our doubts and explained us better about the concept we were dealing with.
Over all, the experience was fruitful and very enriching.
Priya Kumari (Batch 2015-20)
On the first day, I was introduced with basics of RTI and staffs of GIC. During my internship, I got an opportunity to draft and file RTI applications. I also conducted research on different sections of the RTI Act and the relevant case laws. Interning in GIC gives you a firsthand opportunity to work for transparency and accountability in governance. Towards the end of my internship, I wrote a research paper on “Right to Privacy and RTI”. The best thing about the office itself is its professional, yet has a friendly atmosphere. I have to say as many internships I’ve done the best working atmosphere exists in this office where the staffs are very humble and they make you feel very comfortable.
Shweta Kurrey (2015-20)
I interned at the office of Industries Commissionerate, MSME for the duration of three months from February 2018 to April 2018. Over the span of this period, I got to learn a lot of new things from this internship. The officers in this department are very keen to help the interns and there is no language barrier that I could face while working here. All the works of the Legal Department are done in English language. The officers of this Department are very cooperative and they gave me various kinds of works which helped me develop my skills over different kind of works involved in the Department starting from reading files to drafting an Ex-parte Order. I have dealt with approximately 300-350 cases in these three months and helped in one way or the other to get some of these cases dispose of. Working in MSME was a great work experience for me. Interning in this Department helped me develop my skills in drafting legal documents like Notice of hearings, Notice for Delay Payment, Scrutinizing the Applications of Applicants, Drafting ex-parte orders, Agenda making for the MSEFC Meetings, observing the proceedings of the Meeting etc.
I am happy that I could help the Legal Department of MSME, Gandhinagar in reducing the backlog of cases concerning delay payment matters through my works. I wish to intern with this Department in near future also.
Akriti Singh (Batch 2016-21)
I was lucky to be chosen from among a number of students from our university, for this prestigious opportunity of interning at the education department at Gandhinagar.
I, alongwith a few other students was chosen to intern there. The duration of our internship was from August, 2017 to September, 2017. The office of the education department is situated inside the Secretariat campus , which is not very far from our university, thus it was easy and convenient for us to reach there daily. The environment was very conducive for us to work there and the people around were very supportive. The timings were also flexible.
On our first day, we were taken to the cabin of the head of the department, Mr. Nikunj Jani. He greeted us warmly and properly explained to us the working of the department and various units within it. We were allocated with different branches under which we had to work, on the first day itself. I was allocated with the higher secondary branch, where I got to learn about how the various cases pertaining to the higher secondary education are handled.
The staff there was very supportive and helping. Being a non-Gujarati speaker, they helped me immensely to understand the various documents and files which were in Gujarati language, especially Mr. Patel, under whom I was asked to work. He helped me understand the various cases and make a list of the pending cases which were yet to be resolved.
It was a really enriching and informative experience, and I am looking forward to be a part of such an internship in future too.
Janani Iyer (Batch 2016-21)
It was a great learning opportunity and an enriching experience to contribute towards this initiative in professional capacity.
