Date: 7/2/2025
Speaker: Mr. Gokul Narayan, CEO, Asian School of Cyber Laws
Details: Mr. Gokul Narayan discussed “The Future of Cyber Law: Policy, Privacy, and Protection,” highlighting the importance of robust legal frameworks and analyzing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. While acknowledging the Act’s merits, Mr. Narayan also pointed out its shortcomings, such as vague provisions. He advocated for public participation in legislative processes to create inclusive and practical laws. The session also covered the broader implications of cyber law on India’s digital landscape, stressing the need for continuous legal updates to keep pace with technological advancements, and concluded with a Q&A session. The discussion also involved the different ways the current legislative sphere can expand to the dark web and other underground online illegal activities.
2. Policy Pe Charcha 2.0: Making of Modern India and a Paradigmatic Policy Shift Over the Years
Date: 15/2/2025
Speaker: Prof. Aditya Mukherjee, Former JNU Faculty
Details: Professor Mukherjee offered an analytical overview of India’s economic and governance transitions, highlighting key policy shifts historically. This discourse underlined the evolution of policymaking in shaping modern India. He then engaged with students, with the session beginning with a student’s inquiry about how to acquire “real history” when significant portions of the curriculum are omitted. This question resonated deeply with many in the audience, who expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as an incomplete historical education.
The host responded in two parts: first, by confirming that such syllabus reductions have consistently been a feature of education policy across various administrations; and second, by reframing this issue as an imperative for student engagement. The host unequivocally condemned the practice of selectively presenting history, stressing that all aspects of the past whether commendable, unfavorable, or contentious are essential for a comprehensive understanding. The host asserted that any historical account excluding specific periods or events does not constitute an authentic historical narrative.
This led to a discussion on proactive strategies for students. Rather than viewing the truncated syllabus as a definitive obstacle, the host encouraged attendees to see it as an opportunity for independent exploration. The core message was that the pursuit of “real history” does not depend on the content of a single textbook but on cultivating the skills necessary for critical and inquisitive learning.
3. Policy Pe Charcha 3.0: Public Policy in the Realm of Environment Protection
Date: 15/05/225
Speaker: Ms. Khushboo Kataruka, Partner at Hammurabi & Solomon Partners
Details: This session offered enriching insights into the intersection of law, environmental justice, and policy reform. Ms. Kataruka’s expertise in environmental litigation, sustainable legal frameworks, and public interest interventions provided a comprehensive perspective for students and future policymakers, underscoring the urgent need for proactive legal mechanisms to protect ecological systems. The major point of discussion of the session was where as law students, future policy makers and even citizens, do we draw the line between environmental protection and development of the country. Various contemporary scenarios including the university of hyderabad were discussed
The Society conducts workshops to enhance students’ research and writing capabilities.
Details: The intensive session, led by Mr. Alok Kumar, explored academic writing, research, and navigating legal topics. Mr.Alok Kumar emphasized writing as critical examination and self-expression, encouraging intellectual discovery over publication. Experiential learning, through interactive exercises and discussions, helped participants gain a fresh perspective on effective academic writing, understanding its connection to critical thinking and a compelling voice. The session concluded with a valuable Q&A, where Mr. AlokKumar provided insights and advice, empowering attendees with renewed confidence for their future academic pursuits. Mr. Alok also gave the attendees a very helpful advise that to write good you first need to read good , read a lot and read critically.
This national-level competition challenges participants in policy analysis and solution development.
Details: A national-level policy competition encompassing a Position Paper Submission Universal Basic Income, Caste-Based Reservations, and Social Media Regulation, where more than 160 teams from all over the country participated and submitted their papers out of which a total of 16 teams were selected for the advanced rounds at IIM ranchi campus. The advanced round included a Policy Mastermind Quiz, and a Live Policy Hackathon where the participants were given a mock problem and they were asked to formulate a policy catering to the problem and present it to the esteemed panel of judges,competing for prizes exceeding ₹25,000.
This event marked the launch of the Society’s policy podcast.
The inaugural episode of the “NITI SAMVAD” podcast explores a significant act.
Details: This inaugural video podcast episode delves deep into the PESA Act, exploring its significance, the challenges it faces, and its implications for tribal self-governance and land rights in Jharkhand. Dr. Oraon, a key contributor to the PESA Rules Drafting Team, offers invaluable insights into how PESA shapes local governance in Scheduled Areas and outlines the path forward. In this episode of podcast , prof Oraon took us through the history of PESA,what is it all about? why we, in the state of Jharkhand, need it? How does it appeals to the problem of land alienation? How the provision through empowering the gram sabha saves the tribal cultural integrity and role of the major stakeholders in bringing of PESA?