Ahmedabad: Ukel Foundation, an initiative focused on legal awareness, mediation and community-level dispute resolution, was formally inaugurated at the AUDA Auditorium, Shela, Ahmedabad, by Hon’ble Ms. Justice Mauna M. Bhatt (Retd.), former Judge of the High Court of Gujarat.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Bhatt appreciated the initiative and called upon citizens to contribute towards building a better, stronger and developed Gujarat founded on values, self-restraint and equality before law. She urged people to introspect before approaching courts, highlighting the existing burden of judicial pendency, while also stressing environmental responsibility and equality before law.
Founder and Director Adv. Pratik R. Patel said Ukel Foundation aims to bridge the gap between the statute book and citizens by taking legal knowledge to people in the language they understand. He explained that “Ukel” means solution in Gujarati, reflecting the Foundation’s focus on resolving conflicts through awareness, dialogue and mediation.
Co-Founder Rahul Ranjan highlighted the importance of combining legal literacy with accessible publishing of knowledge to create lasting awareness.
The inaugural programme featured an introductory film, remarks by Board members, the unveiling of Ukel Bhai, the Foundation’s public-facing character for simplifying legal awareness, a short film and a special play promoting awareness and amicable dispute resolution.
The Foundation works across four key areas: dispute prevention, legal awareness in local languages, community-based dispute resolution and reducing the burden on the justice system. Its initiatives include awareness camps, mediation, workshops and legal comics covering issues related to family, property, tenancy, workplace, women and consumers.
Board members include Alka Palrecha, Adv. Dhaval P. Patel, Devang Parmar, Adv. Rajesh N. Modi and Adv. Dipali Patel.
During the event, an instant live donation drive also received approximately ₹2 lakh from guests, supporting the Foundation’s work. Ukel Foundation invited citizens, institutions and volunteers to join its efforts to promote greater legal awareness and encourage amicable resolution of disputes at the community level.