Adv. Sandigdha Mishra "Be Aware"

A school may record every incident and still miss the bigger safeguarding risk. A student repeatedly visits the infirmary. Complaints of bullying emerge across different classes. Several transport concerns are reported over a few weeks. Staff raise individual concerns, but the records remain scattered across departments. Individually, these events may appear routine. But what happens when we look at them together?  This is where child safeguarding analytics becomes important. Beyond incident reporting Schools have increasingly recognized the importance of safeguarding policies, reporting mechanisms, staff training and incident documentation. Yet, recording an incident is only one part of an effective safeguarding system. The deeper question is whether schools can identify recurring patterns, understand emerging risks and translate evidence into timely action. Safeguarding analytics is not simply about counting incidents or producing dashboards. It is about examining relevant inform...

In today’s world, ensuring the safety and well-being of children is a top priority. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, enacted in India in 2012, is a landmark law designed to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. It outlines specific offenses, establishes special courts for swift justice, and prioritizes the dignity and privacy of child victims. Yet, the effectiveness of this law hinges on one critical factor: awareness. For this reason, training school students about POCSO is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Schools must recognize the gravity of this need and act decisively. I recently watched the Telugu-language legal drama Court – State vs. A Nobody (2025), written and directed by Ram Jagadeesh, which compellingly emphasizes the urgency of the issue. The film drives home the message that 'every child under the age of 18 should be aware of the acts and rules designed to protect them. advocating for legal education to be a core part ...

Maternity Rights: Transforming Indian Schools into Equitable Workplaces India stands at a crossroads in its pursuit of gender equality, with significant strides made in women’s rights yet persistent gaps that demand urgent attention. One such gap lies within the K12 education sector, where female teachers—vital contributors to shaping the nation’s future—often face the unjust denial of maternity benefits. Despite the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, amended in 2017 to provide 26 weeks of paid leave, many schools, especially private and smaller institutions, flout these legal obligations. This failure forces female educators into an impossible dilemma: choosing between their professional commitments and their fundamental right to motherhood. The stakes are high. Female teachers, who constitute a substantial portion of India’s teaching workforce, encounter discrimination, job loss, and emotional strain when pregnant. This not only violates their rights but also weakens the education system b...

Inspired Action and Manifestation: Manifestation, a concept that has fascinated humans for centuries, is the art of bringing desires into reality. While many of us are familiar with the Law of Attraction and the importance of visualization, affirmations, and positive thinking, there's a crucial element that often gets overlooked: inspired action. In this article, we'll delve into the world of inspired action and explore its role in manifestation. We'll discuss what inspired action is, why it's essential, and provide practical tips on how to incorporate it into your daily life. What is Inspired Action? Inspired action is the physical manifestation of your desires, driven by intuition and guided by your inner wisdom. It's the act of taking deliberate, focused, and meaningful steps towards your goals, while being fully present and aligned with your intentions. Inspired action is not just about taking action for the sake of action; it's about allowing yo...

By Sandigdha Mishra, Adv. advocate.sandigdhamishra@gmail.com On July 1, 2024, India witnessed a significant transformation in its criminal justice system with the introduction of three new laws: the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC); the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC); and the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replacing the Indian Evidence Act. These reforms aim to modernize, streamline, and strengthen the legal framework to ensure more efficient, fair, and transparent delivery of justice. Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita marks a significant shift from the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, which had been in place since 1860. The BNS aims to address contemporary issues and incorporate provisions that reflect the changing dynamics of Indian society. Major Changes: Modernization of Offenses: The BNS introduces new categories of crimes that were either inadequately addressed ...

Introduction: Institutional theory, as a lens for analysing organizations, focuses on how institutions—such as laws, regulations, norms, and customs—shape organisational behavior and practices. Developed by Meyer and Rowan in 1977, this theory posits that organizations adopt structures, practices, and behaviours not just because they are efficient or effective, but because they are considered legitimate within their institutional environment. In simpler terms, organizations conform to established norms and expectations to gain legitimacy and support from their environment, which includes stakeholders like government bodies, regulatory agencies, and society at large. Now, applying this theory to India's K-12 education system, we can understand how educational institutions interact with the socio-political and legal environment in which they operate. India's K-12 educational landscape is diverse, with a multitude of private and public institutions operating under various regulato...