Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IDEAL CSJ - Ahmedabad - Gujarat
IDEAL CSJ - Ahmedabad - Gujarat
19 Pages 4.5MB
Feb 28, 2024 11:58 PM GMT+5:30 Feb 28, 2024 11:58 PM GMT+5:30
7% Overall Similarity
The combined total of all matches, including overlapping sources, for each database.
5% Internet database 1% Publications database
Crossref database Crossref Posted Content database
4% Submitted Works database
Summary
7
NARSEE MONJEE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
AT
1
Institute for Development Education and Learning (IDEAL), Centre for Social Justice (CSJ),
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
BY
9
A trailblazing socio-legal non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Centre for Social
4
Justice (CSJ) is based in Gujarat, India and is registered under the Societies Registration
Act, 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. It operates under the auspices of the
Institute for Development Education and Learning (IDEAL). Ever since its establishment
in 1993, CSJ has been committed to protecting and advancing human rights while leading
the way in the fight for justice.
The CSJ was first founded in Gujarat with a network of legal centres that were positioned
among disadvantaged groups in the community. Over time, the organisation has changed
1
and developed. Today, it covers several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Its reach
is much wider. This broad reach demonstrates the organization's dedication to tackling the
various issues marginalised groups confront.
A committed team of solicitors, paralegals, and researchers work together at the CSJ's
network of law centres to advocate for human rights in a comprehensive manner. These
centres actively participate in community outreach through law clinics in addition to
offering litigative help, making sure that legal aid and awareness reach the local level.
These legal centres continue to prioritise the defence of the rights of marginalised groups,
including women, Dalits, tribal people, minorities, and those who are subjected to societal
injustices. Through these legal centres, the CSJ handles up to 3,000 cases a year,
highlighting its significant contribution to defending the rights and dignity of people who
are frequently disenfranchised and neglected in society. The organization's expansion and
dedication highlight how important it is to the continuous fight for justice and human rights
in India's many areas.
Organizational Governance
3
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is an organisation whose organisational governance is
overseen by a committed Board of Trustees, which consists of seven highly regarded members
who are crucial in directing and forming the course of the NGO. The following are the current
board members and their titles:
1
Ms. Nafisa Goga D'Souza - Chairperson
Mr. Gagan Sethi - Vice-Chairperson
Mr. Vijay Parmar - Trustee
1
Prof. K.D. Rao - Trustee
Dr. Syeda Hameed - Trustee
Ms. Maja Daruwala - Trustee
Ms. Nupur – Trustee
Together, these trustees' varied backgrounds and areas of expertise support CSJ's efficient
governance and strategic decision-making.
Apart from the governing framework, CSJ provides a forum for cooperative participation and
education by means of an annual gathering called "Jahir Sabha." This meeting, which occurs
every two months, provides a venue for people who work for the NGO but are from different
states to get together. Intense conversations are held during the Jahir Sabha meetings as attendees
share their experiences and newfound understanding from the previous two years. Through
cooperative discussion, the group is able to evaluate successes, setbacks, and lessons discovered.
Staffing Pattern
14
Total Full Time/
Male Staff Female Staff
Slab of Staff Part Time Staff
Total
Renumeration 6
Part Full Part Full Part Full Staff
per month (INR) Total Total
Time Time Time Time Time Time
Upto 5,000 - - 0 2 - 2 2 - 2
5,001-10,000 2 21 23 2 16 18 4 37 41
10,001-25,000 - 19 19 3 13 16 3 32 35
25,001-50,000 - 15 15 2 16 18 2 31 33
50,001-100,000 - 4 4 1 - 1 1 4 5
100,000> - - 0 - 1 1 - 1 1
Total 2 59 61 10 46 56 12 105 117
1
Social Group Male Staff Female Staff Total Staff
General 16 25 41
Religious Minorities 5 3 8
OBCs 11 13 24
SC 11 8 19
ST 18 7 25
Total 61 56 117
This financial support comes from various philanthropic organizations and a few Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Notable contributors include the Global Fund for
Community Foundation (GFCF), Chintu Gudiya Foundation, Azim Premji Foundation,
Misereor, Dasra, Godrej, Thermax, Bread for the World, along with contributions from
individual donors.
It's heartening to witness such a diverse group of supporters aligning with the mission of CSJ.
8
These funds will undoubtedly play a significant role in advancing the initiatives and making a
positive impact in the community.
Legal Compliances
The organization complies with Sections 12A which grants tax exemption to the income earned
by the organization from specific sources and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 which enables
donors who contribute to the organization to claim a tax deduction on their donations,
encouraging individuals and companies to support the organization's work. Therefore,
compliance with both sections implies that the organization operates within the legal framework
for tax benefits and encourages charitable activities.
LEGAL AID: CSJ actively addresses legal issues faced by individuals and communities.
They aid in litigation and facilitate entitlements and claims under various laws and
enactments. Whether it is helping someone navigate bureaucratic processes or
representing them in court, CSJ ensures that legal barriers are overcome.
LEGAL CAPACITY BUILDING: CSJ runs various programs to enhance the capacities
of different stakeholders:
Young Lawyers and Paralegals: Training and skill development to effectively use legal
tools.
Volunteers: Equipping volunteers with legal knowledge to assist vulnerable populations.
Civil Society Organizations: Empowering NGOs and community groups to advocate for
rights.
Government Officials: Enhancing their understanding of legal provisions related to
vulnerable groups.
LEGAL REFORM: CSJ leverages its grassroots experiences, learnings, and best
practices to critique existing laws and policies. Their goal is to make these legal
frameworks more sensitive to the needs of marginalized communities. By advocating for
reforms, CSJ contributes to a fairer and more just society.
SDGs aligned
SDGs Aligned with Projects/Programs:
SDG 1: No Poverty
- To this end, CSJ concentrates on bonded work and economic exploitation. By advocating
for fair compensation, worker rights, and dignified working conditions, CSJ contributes
to the reduction of poverty. Through such activities, underprivileged individuals can
break free from cycles of poverty.
- CSJ actively opposes discrimination and violence against women. They strive for a more
equal society by providing legal aid, organising awareness campaigns, and engaging in
advocacy. CSJ advances gender equality through empowering women and dismantling
discriminatory norms.
10
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 8 is closely aligned with CSJ's commitment to promoting fair labour practices. They
support fair compensation, safe working conditions, and the rights of employees. CSJ
promotes economic growth that benefits all by guaranteeing decent work opportunities.
- This objective is closely related to the work of CSJ. They improve vulnerable
populations' access to justice and the rule of law. CSJ advances justice and peace by
giving people the freedom to pursue justice, raising public awareness of the law, and
fighting for more robust institutions.
In summary, CSJ’s programs not only address specific legal issues but also contribute to broader
societal goals, fostering a more just and sustainable world.
Community outreach: Outreach initiatives from CSJ promote inclusivity by being free and
available to the public. These programmes, which include awareness seminars and legal clinics,
12
have a direct impact on the communities they serve. CSJ promotes community engagement,
trust-building, and the creation of a more just society by making events accessible.
Project handled:
During our internship at IDEAL-CSJ, we were involved in several impactful projects focused on
promoting the well-being of marginalized communities. Here are some key highlights:
Collaborated with volunteers to raise awareness and empower these workers, contributing to
improved living conditions and access to resources.
Challenges faced -
There was a focus on the volunteers and the language used for the propaganda. The workers
sometimes did not understand Gujarati language hence the use of Hindi language became
imperative, but the schemes of Government were in anything but Hindi. Hence, due to that
language barrier, there was a gap in the message that we were trying to convey to those laborers.
The role of the volunteer was utterly crucial here. The volunteer was responsible for us getting
entry into those marginalized areas as well acclimatizing us with those laborers. It was due to the
virtue of connections of those volunteers that we were able to deliver the presentation in those
deep areas.
The mode of presentation was audio-visual. The government of Gujarat has uploaded plethora of
videos online, so the task becomes relatively easier for us to deliver. But, in the areas where the
people only speak Hindi language, we did face a certain amount of difficulty to communicate our
objectives.
Learned about crucial campaigns like "Har dil mein samvidhaan" (Constitution in every heart)
and "Angels don't have wings," raising awareness about social injustices and promoting positive
change.
Gathered valuable information on financial management and effective social media strategies for
impactful campaigns.
The meeting had justice advocates from 3+ states so there was a plethora of cases to be discussed
in that limited time. The lawyers had vast experience covering all types of cases. The prime aim
of the discussions was to make the general public aware of the type of cases that existed and
what issues the lawyers could typically face in them of justice and their workarounds for getting
justice.
The meeting was not only limited to lawyer discussions. There was a session in which all the
members were shown videos about the existing issues in society and details about them.
3. Labourer Outreach & Bus Pass Assistance:
Conducted outreach campaigns in various locations, informing labourers about government
benefits they could rightfully claim.
Assisted numerous labourers with the process of creating AMTS bus passes, facilitating easier
and more affordable transportation options.
Supported Seema Ma'am by completing pending Right to Information (RTI) requests for laborers
seeking rightful claims, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Challenges faced -
Although the laborers were getting the bus pass, they always failed to gauge the benefits of it.
The Bus pass was provided for the complete year, and it proved useful in the long term. But,
coming with the team to the Bus Depot meant missing out on a day’s work. The people were
daily wage earners, and they are not usually on board to miss a day’s work even though getting
the bus pass will be beneficial to them in the long run. So, our primary challenge was to identify
such candidates who were ready to let go of a day’s wage to get the bus pass. There were folks
who did not want to miss out on a day’s work, and we tried to explain to them the importance of
a bus pass and how beneficial it will be to them in the long run if they could just think long term.
Gained valuable insights into the impact of climate change on these communities and contributed
to data collection efforts.
This survey was supposed to be happening in 11 slum areas of Ahmedabad and we were required
to visit 2 such areas – one of which was near the dumping ground of Ahmedabad city. The
respondents were very honest and open whilst answering the questions. We were supposed to ask
them questions about themselves, and their community and the survey was 55 questions long
which required the volunteers to spend about 15-20 mins at each household.
Analyzed collected data and contributed to a report summarizing findings and recommending
solutions for improved living conditions and climate resilience.
Raised awareness among slum residents about available government benefits and the importance
of documentation to access them, empowering them to claim their rights and improve their well-
being.
Overall, our internship provided us with invaluable experience in the field of social justice and
community development. I learned valuable skills in communication, outreach, data analysis,
and collaboration, while making a tangible contribution to the lives of marginalized
communities. This experience has solidified my commitment to working towards a more
equitable and sustainable society.
Methodology:
Team Learnings:
Importance of Awareness and Outreach: Through our campaign, our team learned the
significance of awareness and outreach efforts. We discovered that educating
marginalized communities about their rights and available resources is important for
enhancing their quality of life. Engaging with various working communities across
different regions, we observed that despite facing diverse challenges, many are unaware
of government schemes that could address their issues.
Collaboration and Teamwork: One key learning we gained from our campaign is the
importance of collaboration and teamwork. We recognized that achieving impactful
results relies heavily on effectively collaborating with volunteers, organizations and
beneficiaries.
Advocacy and Empowerment: Helping workers and slum residents claim their rightful
benefits fosters empowerment and promotes social justice. We witnessed the power of
advocacy and supporting people.
Challenges in Implementing Government Schemes: Through interacting with
beneficiaries, we understood the gaps between policy and practice, highlighting the need
for improved awareness, streamlined processes, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
Importance of Data and Technology: Data collection through surveys and tools like
Kobo Toolbox can inform intervention strategies and measure impact. We learned the
value of data-driven approaches.
Impact of systemic barriers: Bureaucratic hurdles, limited resources, and lack of awareness
hinder access to government schemes and services. We witnessed the need for systemic reforms
and collaborative solutions.
Personal Impact:
Increased empathy and understanding: Interacting with diverse communities fostered empathy
and a deeper understanding of the complexities of social issues.
Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving: Identifying management gaps and finding
solutions challenged you to think critically and adapt to various situations. This improves your
problem-solving skills.
Appreciation for collaboration and community action: Witnessing the impact of collective efforts
can solidify your belief in the power of collaboration and community-driven solutions for social
change.
Observing challenges in implementation provided deeper insight into the gap between policy and
practice.
Witnessing beneficiary struggles highlighted the need for improved awareness, accessibility, and
grievance redressal.
New Learnings to Share:
Importance of storytelling: Sharing personal stories and lived experiences can raise awareness
and connect with diverse audiences.
Focus on sustainability: Building community capacity and ownership ensures long-term impact
beyond immediate assistance.
Power of technology: Utilizing technology effectively can enhance outreach, data collection, and
communication strategies.
Widespread of Ignorance in the non-marginalized community – Coming from families who are
not below the poverty line, we were ignorant of certain issues that these families face on daily
basis, even though we think that we know about the problems. Some problems are disguised so
well that we cannot even inspect it without deep diving into these matters ourselves.
7% Overall Similarity
Top sources found in the following databases:
5% Internet database 1% Publications database
Crossref database Crossref Posted Content database
4% Submitted Works database
TOP SOURCES
The sources with the highest number of matches within the submission. Overlapping sources will not be
displayed.
centreforsocialjustice.net
1 2%
Internet
centreforsocialjustice.net
3 <1%
Internet
sportdocbox.com
4 <1%
Internet
heavyfinance.com
5 <1%
Internet
dataportal.cpe.ky.gov
6 <1%
Internet
coursehero.com
7 <1%
Internet
Sources overview
Similarity Report
sunnewsonline.com
9 <1%
Internet
wpi.edu
10 <1%
Internet
Sources overview