By Er. Rajesh Pathak
A few days back, a Lok Adalat organised on the premises of the Division Bench of the High Court, Gwalior, was marked by an unprecedented event. In view of International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8th March, High Court Justice Anand Pathak took an inspiring initiative by nominating lady advocates as members for conducting cases in the Lok Adalat. According to him, the motive behind this was to rejuvenate the participation of women in judicial proceedings and to enlighten a wider section of society regarding its outlook towards women in general.
On this occasion, the Principal Registrar and Secretary of the Vidhik Sewa Samitee of the High Court, Rajiv Pal, stated that the purpose of a Lok Adalat is to resolve issues, as far as possible, by pursuing the visible aspects of understanding, ultimately bringing about mutual consent. This ensures that, without any sense of ‘defeat or victory’ arising among the rival appellants or stakeholders engaged in the dispute, cases can reach a conclusion.
Four division benches were constituted to carry out the functions of the Lok Adalat. Advocate Nidhi Patankar was associated with Justice Anand Pathak; Advocate Abha Mishra with Justice G.S. Ahluwalia; Advocate Uma Kushwah with Justice Shrotiya; and Advocate Kumari Chitra Saxena with Justice Anand Singh Bharawat. Collectively, they resolved 490 cases through mutual consent, in which aggrieved petitioners received relief amounting to ₹3.66 crore.
According to our scriptures, Naari and Shakti are one, not different. While she is dedicated to the family, she is also, when armed with strength, in the form of Goddess Kali, demonstrating that in the face of injustice she would not hesitate to vanquish evil. She is sacred as Sita, devoted as Savitri, and, when it comes to national devotion, she embodies the unwavering strength of a mother of martyred sons.
Notably, according to the Rigveda, a newly married woman should be regarded as the hub of all domestic affairs: “From your attitude, your father-in-law should feel that you are the queen of the home; your mother-in-law should feel that you are the owner; and your sister-in-law should feel that you are the key functionary of the home” (Rigveda 10.85.46). Similarly, one of our Smritis proclaims: “God resides where women are worshipped; where they are not, all rituals come to grief.”
What the High Court has done is, in essence, a reflection of what our Dharma has long proclaimed. The immense capability, power, and endurance that a woman possesses should never be overlooked. She not only gives birth to new life, but also protects, nurtures, and guides it. She knows how to transform Shivaji into Chhatrapati. In quiet resilience, she faces struggles, rises again even in extreme fatigue, takes decisions in moments of fear, and finds ways to move forward. She has the innate ability to turn challenges into opportunities for service.
( The writer is an engineer and a freelancer)
