Mangalore: Seminar enlightens young minds on menace of crimes
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SS)
Mangalore, Sep 17: The postgraduate department of social work at St Aloysius College organized a two-day national seminar on 'Mitigating the Menace of Crime for a Just and Humane Society' as part of Samprathi – 2013, at Eric Mathias Hall of the college here on Tuesday, September 17.
The welcome speech was delivered by Vidya Vinutha D'Souza, MSW lecturer and convenor of the seminar.
The message on significance of Samprathi – 2013, was delivered by Dr Loveena Lobo, assistant professor and head of the department of social work.
"The seminar 'Mitigating the Menace of Crime for a Just and Humane Society' will explain the contemporary issues in the society and enlighten the students to critically review the root of the crime, the turmoil of the victims and understand their needs in the social world," she said.
“"Mainly people get into crime due to urge of survival. It is also noted that the masterminds behind modern day crimes such as cyber crimes are usually the youth. Curbing of crime must happen at all levels, and not only the government but also the society should work towards it”," she added.
The inauguration of the seminar was done in a unique way by placing petals in a bowl of red water, to symbolize good deeds amidst criminal acts in society.
The chief guest for the inaugural programme was high court judge Justice Dr Jawad Rahim
Dr Jawad Rahim said, “"Samprathi – 2013 has initiated this seminar and such events facilitate the formation of a better society. The seminar on 'Mitigating the Menace of Crime for a Just and Humane Society' will portray the present situation of the society and the transition that are needed to be made in the law.”
“"Law is nothing but a code of conduct. Adequacy of law is essential, but even if the laws do exist their implementation is not absolute. There is also a lack of review done on the fundamental laws and the legislation," he added.
Dr Rahim also said, "“Under our Constitution when it comes to crime there is no adversary; the victim is the sole witness and he or she is further victimized by agony or stigma from the society. Criminal trials are conducted on principles that accused is innocent until proven guilty and proof of reasonable doubt, thus the conviction rate is minimal."”
He enlightened the audience on topics such as primary prevention, secondary prevention, tertiary prevention and situational preventions, and also spoke about compensation and justice to be fair, and appealed the youth to work towards the welfare of society.
Fr Swebert D'Silva, principal of St Aloysius College said, “"The topic of the seminar is very relevant towards the current happenings in society. Crimes have to be rooted out from society.” “People are individualistic, discriminative, violent, dissatisfied and unaware of situations that create anger, which leads to crime. Youth must create awareness and education in society as well build up their conscious and learn to choose right to eliminate crime”."
Fr Denzil Lobo SJ, vice-principal of St Aloysius College raised the question regarding capital punishment and asked if its really a deterrent to rape or murder.”
“"Sociologists have confirmed that capital punishment would not end this disorder. Absence of social control, defective education system, wrongly simulative media, religious fanatics, consumption of alcohol and drugs are some of the reasons responsible for crime in the society," he said.
Karthik Budale, the student convenor delivered the vote of thanks.
The subthemes of the seminar were 'Children in conflict with law and justice', 'Youth culture and crime', 'Crimes against women and justice', 'Cybercrime and cyber law', 'victims of crime in India - current perspectives', 'Social work and victimology' etc.