TFP Bureau, Raipur, November 28, 2024: Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Arun Sao, inaugurated the *Chhattisgarh Legal Education Research Network (CG-LEARN)* at Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) during the Samvidhan Diwas celebrations. This pioneering initiative seeks to bring together law schools and departments from public and private universities across the state, fostering academic and research collaboration under one umbrella.
The launch event featured renowned legal academics, including Prof. N.L. Mitra, former Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU and NLU Jodhpur, and Prof. Ranbir Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR and NLU Delhi, as Guests of Honour. The initiative, with its secretariat at HNLU, aims to facilitate multidisciplinary legal education, contribute to public policy, and offer legislative inputs for Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao highlighted the relevance of the initiative, stating, *“The Constitution is not just a document; it is a living, evolving guide for building a just and equitable society. Initiatives like CG-LEARN reaffirm our commitment to realizing its vision in today’s rapidly changing world.”* He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting such collaborative ventures, expressing optimism about their potential to enhance legal education and drive state-wide progress.
The event was part of HNLU’s *Constitution@75* series and included thematic sessions on legal education and constitutional democracy. In a session titled *“Contextualizing the Constitutional Mandate of Legal Education,”* HNLU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vivekanandan, who also serves as the President of the Consortium of NLUs, emphasized the critical role of legal education in upholding constitutional values. He remarked, *“The real test of the Constitution lies in its implementation, and initiatives like CG-LEARN aim to strengthen the foundation of the bar and bench through quality legal education.”*
Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh discussed the *“National Law University Experiments and Their Impact on Legal Education.”* He lauded the transformation of legal studies into a sought-after career, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches to address contemporary challenges. Similarly, Prof. (Dr.) N.L. Mitra, in his session on *“Multidisciplinary Approach in Legal Education: A Future Roadmap,”* called for integrating law with other disciplines to prepare students for real-world complexities.
The CG-LEARN initiative was formally presented by Dr. Vipan Kumar, Registrar (I/c) of HNLU, who detailed its operational plans and goals. Prof. Yogendra Srivastav, Director of the School of Law and Public Policy, welcomed attendees, and Prof. Avinash Samal, Director of the School of Law and Social Sciences, expressed gratitude to participants during the vote of thanks.
Dr. Deepak Srivastava, Director of the School of Law and Governance, closed the event by underscoring the importance of keeping legal education dynamic and responsive to contemporary governance and justice challenges.
The event, coordinated by HNLU faculty members Mr. Abhinav Shukla and Ms. Garima Panwar, saw the participation of 75 law faculty members, including Deans and Heads of Departments from across the state. The full event is available for viewing on HNLU’s official YouTube channel.
