HPNLU Shimla Organized Orientations For Youth Red Cross UG Batch & Trial Advocacy Competition (Criminal) 2025

The Youth Red Cross (YRC), HPNLU, Shimla under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla organized its Orientation Session on 30th August 2025 for the newly admitted 2025–2030 batch. The session aimed to introduce first-year students to the ethos, objectives, and ongoing activities of the Youth Red Cross, while fostering a sense of responsibility and encouraging their participation in humanitarian service, health initiatives, and community engagement. The event saw participation reflecting an interest in social service and student-led welfare initiatives.

The session began with an introduction to the history, mission, and previous events of the YRC at HPNLU, presented by Ms. Parul Bhalla, student Secretary, and Ms. Ashpinder Kaur, student Joint Secretary. They provided an overview of the committee's efforts in promoting the values of compassion, solidarity, and volunteerism. This was followed by detailed presentations by the student office bearers on the functioning and upcoming plans of the Youth Red Cross. Mr. Vaibhav Bhardwaj, student Vice President, discussed the vision and future undertakings of the YRC for the academic year. Mr. Ayush Nair Mankotia, student Coordinator, outlined planned initiatives focused on student health and welfare. Mr. Dikshant Sharma, student Treasurer, shared insights into the financial planning and budgeting of YRC activities. Mr. Abhijay Singh, student public relations head, spoke about communication strategies and outreach efforts, while Mr. Vedant Bembi and Mr. Hesham Ahsan, the student social media heads, highlighted the digital engagement and awareness campaigns planned for the session.

The session was further addreessed by Mr. Romil Chawla, student President of the Youth Red Cross, who emphasized the importance of student involvement in community service and the larger responsibility of future legal professionals to contribute to societal well-being. Dr. Rohit Sharma, Faculty Coordinator of the YRC, concluded the formal proceedings by instilling in the participants the core Red Cross principles of health, service, and friendship, encouraging them to uphold these ideals in their journey at HPNLU and beyond. The session concluded with an interactive segment, where the new students posed questions to the office bearers, initiating an open dialogue.

Orientation Programme for Trial Advocacy Competition (Criminal) 2025

The Trial Advocacy Cell, under the aegis of the Centre for Legal Education, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, conducted the Orientation Programme on 30th August 2025 for the HPNLU Trial Advocacy Competition (Criminal), 2025 (HTAC), an intra-university competition spanning approximately ten months, aimed at developing practical trial court skills among students. The programme was conducted under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, HPNLU Shimla, and was graced by Shri Peeyush Verma, Learned Senior Advocate and President, Himachal Pradesh High Court Bar Association, as the Chief Guest.

The Chief Guest of the event, Shri Peeyush Verma, Senior Advocate and President, Himachal Pradesh High Court Bar Association, delivered an address to the students. Drawing from his vast professional experience, Shri Verma emphasized that the trial court is a court of facts, not of law, highlighting the crucial role of factual investigation and courtroom skill in trial advocacy. He encouraged students to pursue excellence with dedication, stating that "if you work hard, success is inevitable."

Shri Verma distinguished between the roles of trial and appellate lawyers, remarking that "a trial lawyer is an artist, and an appellate lawyer is a critic," thereby underscoring the creativity, spontaneity, and strategic presence required in trial litigation. He further elaborated on the 11 key stages of a criminal trial, offering students a detailed and structured understanding of the procedural nuances involved in the conduct of criminal cases.

The event was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, HPNLU Shimla, who in her Presidential Address, provided insights into the art and science of trial advocacy. She lauded the initiative undertaken by the Trial Advocacy Cell and stressed the importance of integrating procedural practice with theoretical learning in legal education.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Prof. Girjesh Shukla, Director, Centre for Legal Education and Professor of Law, HPNLU Shimla. Prof. Shukla termed HTAC 2025 as a “first-of-its-kind initiative among National Law Universities (NLUs)”, dedicated to the criminal trial process. He outlined the structure and procedure of the competition, which will include realistic simulations, drafting, examination-in-chief, cross-examination, arguments, and more, aimed at offering a exposure to budding lawyers. He emphasized the intent behind the competition, focusing on building core advocacy competencies and courtroom ethics.

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Bharat Barowalia, Convener of the Trial Advocacy Cell and Assistant Professor of Law, HPNLU Shimla. The Orientation Programme witnessed a response with over 80 students registering for the inaugural edition of HTAC 2025.