Abha Singh

Abha Singh is a former civil servant and an advocate practicing currently in the High Court of Judicature at Bombay. She is also a renowned social activist and has contributed considerably in the realm of women's rights, gender equality and Justice.She is married to Yogesh Pratap Singh, who formerly was an officer in Indian Police force and currently serves as a lawyer in Bombay High Court. Her father too was a gallantry award-winning police officer.

Abha Singh
NationalityIndian
OccupationLawyer
Spouse(s)Yogesh Pratap Singh
ChildrenAditya Pratap & Isha Singh
Websitewww.abhasingh.in

She has been an active participant in the accusation of Bollywood actor, Salman Khan,[1] in hit and run case and the AIB Roast case.

She also runs an NGO by the name, Rann-Samar, through which she provides free legal assistance to helpless women and slum dwellers who have been unfairly persecuted by local authorities and builders for land that is rightfully theirs.

Education

Abha Singh did her schooling from Loreto Convent, Lucknow and her graduation from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow, registering herself as the topper of her batch. She has done an M.Phil on Child Rights from Jawahal Lal Nehru University, New Delhi and her LL.B. from Mumbai University. In 1994 she cleared the UPSC examination and joined the Indian Postal Service.[2]

One of her primary influences was her mother who had the unique distinction of being the first woman from her village to attain Post-Graduation in 1961 from Allahabad University.

Career

Abha Singh started her career as a customs appraiser in Bombay custom house in 1991 and remained there till 1994. Then, she joined the Indian Postal Service and later started her practice as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court.

In Indian Postal Service

Abha Singh joined the Indian Postal Service in 1995. During her stint as Director Postal Services in Uttar Pradesh she pioneered the usage of solar panels to power post offices – thereby making advanced postal services accessible to the remotest of villages. One little post office in Gauriganj village came on the national stage when the president of Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi himself came to inaugurate it. It gave an impetus to harness solar energy in places where electricity is scarce.

As a Lawyer

Abha Singh, often regarded as the bluntest lawyer in Bombay, has been a part of some of the major celebrity cases as well as social cases in India. Some of the notable cases that she had participated in as a lawyer are -

  1. When Justice Markanday Katju, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Press Council of India wrote to the governor of Maharashtra asking him to pardon Sanjay Dutt for his involvement in the 1993 bomb blasts. She was the first to bring to the notice of the public that he was exerting undue influence and wrote to the governor rebutting his flawed assertions.[3][4]
  2. She was responsible for highlighting the Zaibunissa Kazi’s case.[5]
  3. When the BMC gave notice to demolish the “Puncham Pyao” water fountain opposite Bombay Gymkhana she successfully fought for them and got a stay from the Court.
  4. Accused AIB for organizing AIB Knockout for spreading obscenity.[6][7]
  5. She has been pursuing the Salman Khan Hit-and-Run case consistently and is an active legal participant in the case.[8]

As an Author

Abha Singh launched her book Stree – Dasha aur Disha which promotes women empowerment by highlighting real-time cases and their legal recourse, and aims to educate women of their rights.[9] Gul Panag, Bhagyashree & other celebs praised her on launching of book 'Stree – Dasha aur Disha'.[10] [11][12][13][14]

As Social Activists

Abha Singh welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict which paves the way for reopening of dance bars in Maharashtra.[15] [16]

A seminar on LGBT rights, adultery and the pothole menace in the city of Mumbai was hosted by social activist and lawyer Abha Singh and Advocate Aditya Pratap. Actor Zayed Khan, too spoke about the Mumbai curse and quest for justice. He promised to support Dadarao Bilhore who fills potholes in Mumbai city as a tribute to his son who had died in a pothole accident. [17]

"Menstrual problems must be addressed by passing a law entitling women to menstrual leave," says Abha Singh. "All eyes must now turn to Parliament, which, having enacted the Maternity Benefit Act in 1961, is at an opportune moment to undo the injustice that has plagued women for ages."[18]

Abha Singh delivered a riveting speech on the impact of the #MeToo Movement on the corporate culture in India in Columbia, New York. She was invited by the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University as a speaker at the India Dialogues, which is a day-long conference of academicians, policy practitioners, future policy-leaders, media persons and the Indian Diaspora in America. [19][20]

Abha Singh held a round table discussion in Mumbai on how to make the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013 more effective in the corporate world.[21]

Abha Singh's partnered with a young lady, Akancha Srivastava, to fight a campaign against cyber-stalking. Called Akancha Against Harassment, the campaign seeks to bring an awareness among citizens about the issue of young people, especially girls, being targeted online, their activities tracked and which could even result in real life manifestations like bullying, harassment and even, in some cases, criminal activities like kidnapping and what-have-you.[22]

Big FM has launched a new show where The National Award Winning Actress Vidya Balan & Abha Singh will offer legal aid to women with a radio show 'Dhun badal ke toh dekho'.[23][24][25]

Abha Singh gave seminar on 'Will and succession' for Amdavadi women on March 1 organised by the JITO Ladies Wing, Ahmedabad chapter with an aim to make women aware about their rights. [26]

Abha Singh received award along with Sushmita Sen, Leah Tata, Michelle Poonawalla, Bhavna Jasra, Falguni Peacock, Malishka RJ, Preethi Srinivasan, and Jyoti Dhawale at the 'I Am Woman Awards' to celebrate the inspiration of women, an Educationist Karan Gupta initiative. Guests and celebrities at the prestigious award ceremony included Maheka Mirpuri, Sheeba Akashdeep, Reshma Merchant, Farah Khan Ali, Aarti and Kailash Surendranath, Mreenal Deshraj, Vikas Bhalla, Kiran Bawa, Arzoo Gowitrikar, Aditi Govitrikar among others. [27]

Activist Abha Singh said the state government can regulate dance bars but cannot prohibit them. Abha Singh said she is happy that the Supreme Court quashed the state government's provision to install CCTV cameras in dance bars as it violated the right to privacy and discouraged people from coming to dance bars. She also said the state government was responsible for some these women "facing penury" without being provided an alternate means of employment.[28][29][30]

“It is never too late for you to feel within you that, yes, I want to do different, I want to be different, and I want to do something for the society. And all of us in our little ways can make a change. We all are change makers, it is only that we do not want to come out of our comfort zone.” said Abha Singh at She/Talks Mumbai, an event organised by SheThePeople.TV in association with the Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai [31]

Abha Singh believes that women need to be educated for the development of the country. Such is her passion for women’s right that even on her vacation, Abha Singh and her daughter have gone to Riyadh to study the situation of women there. [32]

Abha Singh walked the ramp for famous fashion designer Shaina NC’s Fashion Show to raise funds for Cancer Patients Aid Association in Mumbai. Sonam Kapoor, Pretty Zinta, Karan Johar, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, among others walked the ramp to create awareness. Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan also graced the occasion.[33][34][35]

Lawyer Abha Singh was a keynote speaker at the Global Forum of the XIN Philanthropy Conference 2018 in New Delhi hosted by the Alibaba Foundation, a private charity fund established by Alibaba Group, jointly with UCWeb (‘UC’). [36][37]

Speeches

In May 2017, Abha Singh spoke at TEDx Oxbridge. Entitled "Why laws in place do not empower women?" [38][39]

Abha Singh delivered a talk on the #MeToo Movement, at India Dialogues, Columbia University, New York [40][41][42][43]

Rann-Samar Foundation

Abha Singh runs an NGO by the name Rann-Samar and through this foundation, she helps people who cannot afford legal assistance from professional lawyers. Through the Rann-Samar Foundation, Abha Singh helped in the construction of toilets in rural areas.

Rann-Samar provides computer training to convicts of Lucknow Jail and Jaunpur Jail. Around 200 convicts have been trained in Lucknow Jail in a span of one year.

The foundation provides free legal aid to needy and poor people. It also organizes beautician courses for women convicts in Lucknow Jail.

Awards

References
  1. "'I enjoyed Dabangg'". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  2. indiainfoline.com. "Abha Singh, Director of Postal Services for Maharashtra & Goa resigns". Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  3. "Advocate Abha Singh slams Katju for seeking pardon for Sanjay Dutt". Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  4. "Abha Singh urges Governor not to pardon Sanjay". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  5. "RPI activists protest outside Yerawada Jail over Sanjay Dutt's release on parole for a month | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  6. "AIB roast: Police register FIR against actors, complainant's lawyer says show was 'pre-scripted'". Firstpost. 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  7. "Advocate Abha Singh opens up about 'AIB Roast". Midday.
  8. "Blackbuck poaching case: Why is Salman Khan keeping quiet if falsely implicated? Activist hits out at actor | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 2017-01-28. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  9. "Celebs come together at Abha Singh's book launch". TOI.
  10. "Celebrities & Politicians praised Firebrand lawyer Abha Singh on launching Stree – Dasha aur Disha". apnnews.com.
  11. "Gul Panang, Bhagyashree & other celebs praised lawyer Abha Singh on launching her Book". filmibeat.
  12. "Abha Singh Book launch Stree-Dasha Aur Disha with Gul Panag, Poonam Dhillon & Bhagyashree". bollywood hungama.
  13. "Abha Singh launches 'Stree - Dasha aur Disha'". The Afternoon Despatch & Courier.
  14. "Poonam And Bhagyashree Speak For Women Empowerment At A Book Launch". Deccan Chronicle.
  15. "Maharashtra: Activists welcome Supreme Court verdict on dance bars, hailed order as 'progressive'". dnaindia.
  16. "Activists laud verdict; Maharashtra government cautious". deccanchronicle.
  17. "Mumbaikars take a pledge to be the change". TOI.
  18. "Period Leave Or Not? Here's What Women Have To Say". outlookindia.
  19. "Abha Singh Has A Solution To Curb Corporate Workplace Harassment". boldoutline.in.
  20. "Abha Singh delivers a talk on the #MeToo Movement, at India Dialogues, Columbia University, New York". siliconindia.com.
  21. "SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN CORPORATES – ABHA SINGH – ACTRESS MADHOO SHAH – THE RANNSAMAR FOUNDATION". indianfoodexpress.in.
  22. "Abha Singh's campaign against cyber-stalking". afternoondc.in.
  23. "'Dhunn Badalke Toh Dekho', say Vidya Balan and Abha Singh". sakal times.
  24. "Vidya Balan to offer free legal aid to women with her radio". Mumbai Mirror.
  25. "Vidya Balan to provide free legal aid to women? Deets inside". bollywoodbubble.com.
  26. "Will and succession seminar for Amdavadi women on March 1". TOI.
  27. "Abha Singh and Leah Tata at the I Am Woman Awards to celebrate the inspiration of women, an Educationist Karan Gupta initiative". mayapuri.
  28. "Activists call SC verdict on Maharashtra dance bars a 'great victory', express hope of ex-performers returning to profession". firstpost.
  29. "Speak up Mumbai: After Supreme Court's censure should dance bars start in the city again?". dnaindia.
  30. "Dance bars: NCP accuses Maharashtra government of 'nexus' with bar owners after SC judgement". Scroll.in.
  31. "We Are All Change Makers: Abha Singh At She/Talks Mumbai". shethepeople.tv.
  32. "'DNA' women's marathon: From Riyadh to running". DNA India.
  33. "Abha Singh walks the ramp for Cancer Awareness". TOI.
  34. "Fashion Show For Cancer Patients, Abha Singh Walks The Ramp". hellomumbainews.com.
  35. "Abha Singh zooms into action". afternoondc.in.
  36. "Alibaba Foundation hosts the Global Forum of the XIN Philanthropy Conference 2018 in New Delhi". spoindia.org.
  37. "Abha Singh is busier than ever". afternoondc.in.
  38. "TEDxOxbridge". TEDx.
  39. "Why laws in place do not empower women? Abha Singh TEDxOxbridge". TEDx, YouTube.
  40. "Abha Singh delivers a talk on the #MeToo Movement, at India Dialogues, Columbia University, New York". siliconindia.
  41. "Abha Singh delivers a talk on #MeToo in NewYork". mitaanexpress.com.
  42. "Abha Singh delivers a talk at India Dialogues at Columbia University, New York, on the #MeToo Movement". indiaeducationdiary.in.
  43. "Eminent policymakers, economists, activists in US discuss issues being faced in India". business-standard.com.
  44. "Mumbai hosts an award ceremony that celebrates the inspiration of women". timesofindia.
  45. "Celebs grace I Am Woman awards". bollywood hungama.
  46. "Abha Singh and Leah Tata at the I Am Woman Awards to celebrate the inspiration of women, an Educationist Karan Gupta initiative". mayapuri.com.
  47. "'I Am Woman', Honouring Extraordinary And Inspirational Women". youthincmag.com.
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