Abha Singh
{{Short description|Indian activist and High Court advocate}}
{{Advert|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox person
|name=Abha Singh
|image=
|caption=Abha Singh Attending an event organized by her NGO, Rann-Samar
|occupation = Lawyer
|nationality = Indian
|spouse = Yogesh Pratap Singh
| children = Aditya Pratap & Isha Singh
| website = [http://www.abhasingh.in www.abhasingh.in]
}}
Abha Singh is an Indian activist and advocate currently practicing in the High Court of Judicature at Bombay. Her activism has focused on women's rights, gender equality, and justice.
She runs an NGO by the name Rann-Samar that provides free legal assistance to women and slum dwellers who claim to have been unfairly persecuted by local authorities and builders for land that is rightfully theirs.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
Education
Singh attended Loreto Convent, Lucknow and graduated from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow. She completed an M.Phil on Child Rights from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and her LL.B. from Mumbai University. In 1994 she cleared the UPSC examination and joined the Indian Postal Service.{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/abha-singh-director-of-postal-services-for-maharashtra-and-goa-resigns-5534634259_1.html|title=Abha Singh, Director of Postal Services for Maharashtra & Goa resigns|access-date=2017-08-01}}
Career
Singh started her career as a customs appraiser at Bombay Custom House in 1991 and remained there till 1994. Next, she joined the Indian Postal Service and later started her practice as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court.
= Indian Postal Service =
Singh joined the Indian Postal Service in 1995. During her stint as Director of Postal Services in Uttar Pradesh, she pioneered the usage of solar panels to power post offices to improve service to remote villages.
= Law =
Singh has been a part of many cases which also includes social cases in India. Some of the cases that she had participated in as a lawyer are -
- 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 assertions.{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pci-chief-justice-markandey-katju-slammed-for-writing-to-governor-to-pardon-sanjay-dutt-india-today/1/259488.html|title=Advocate Abha Singh slams Katju for seeking pardon for Sanjay Dutt|access-date=2017-08-01}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abha-singh-urges-governor-not-to-pardon-sanjay/article4551863.ece|title=Abha Singh urges Governor not to pardon Sanjay|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-08-01|language=en}}
- She was responsible for highlighting Zaibunissa Kazi’s case.{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-rpi-activists-protest-outside-yerawada-jail-over-sanjay-dutt-s-release-on-parole-for-a-month-1931089|title=RPI activists protest outside Yerawada Jail over Sanjay Dutt's release on parole for a month {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2013-12-07|work=dna|access-date=2017-08-01|language=en-US}}
- When the BMC gave the notice to demolish the “Puncham Pyao” water fountain opposite Bombay Gymkhana she successfully fought for them and got a stay from the Court.
- Accused AIB for organizing AIB Knockout for spreading obscenity.{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/living/aib-roast-police-register-fir-against-actors-complainants-lawyer-says-show-was-pre-scripted-2096563.html|title=AIB roast: Police register FIR against actors, complainant's lawyer says the show was 'pre-scripted'|date=2015-02-13|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-08-01|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/videos/advocate-abha-singh-opens-up-about-aib-roast/621627|title=Advocate Abha Singh opens up about 'AIB Roast'|work=Midday}}
- She has been pursuing the Salman Khan Hit-and-Run case and is an active legal participant in the case.{{Cite news |date=2017-01-28 |title=Blackbuck poaching case: Why is Salman Khan keeping quiet if falsely implicated? Activist hits out at actor |language=en-US |work=dna |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-Blackbuck-poaching-case-Why-is-Salman-Khan-keeping-quiet-if-falsely-implicated-Activist-hits-out-at-actor-2296979 |access-date=2017-08-01}}{{Cite news |title='I enjoyed Dabangg' |language=en |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/i-enjoyed-dabangg/article7214115.ece |access-date=2017-08-01}}
= Author =
Abha Singh launched her book Stree – Dasha aur Disha which promotes women's empowerment by highlighting real-time cases and their legal recourse, and aims to educate women about their rights.{{Cite news |last=Tahseen |first=Ismat |date=16 January 2019 |title=Celebs come together at Abha Singh's book launch |work=TOI |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/celebs-come-together-at-abha-singhs-book-launch/articleshow/67556770.cms}} Gul Panag, Bhagyashree and other celebrities praised her on launching the book.{{Cite news |last=Murdeshwar |first=Sachin |date=10 January 2019 |title=Celebrities & Politicians praised Firebrand lawyer Abha Singh on launching Stree – Dasha aur Disha |work=apnnews.com |url=https://www.apnnews.com/celebrities-politicians-praised-firebrand-lawyer-abha-singh-on-launching-stree-dasha-aur-disha/}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/videos/gul-panang-bhagyashree-other-celebs-praised-lawyer-abha-singh-on-launching-her-book-57652.html|title=Gul Panang, Bhagyashree & other celebs praised lawyer Abha Singh on launching her Book|work=filmibeat|access-date=2019-01-23|archive-date=2019-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419161944/https://www.filmibeat.com/videos/gul-panang-bhagyashree-other-celebs-praised-lawyer-abha-singh-on-launching-her-book-57652.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/videos/parties-events/abha-singh-book-launch-stree-dasha-aur-disha-with-gul-panag-poonam-dhillon-bhagyashree-part-2-2/|title=Abha Singh Book launch Stree-Dasha Aur Disha with Gul Panag, Poonam Dhillon & Bhagyashree|work=bollywood hungama}}{{Cite news|url=http://afternoondc.in/city-news/abha-singh-launches-stree-dasha-aur-disha/article_239256|title=Abha Singh launches 'Stree - Dasha aur Disha'|work=The Afternoon Despatch & Courier}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/videos/poonam-and-bhagyashree-speak-for-women-empowerment-at-a-book-launch.html|title=Poonam And Bhagyashree Speak For Women Empowerment At A Book Launch|work=Deccan Chronicle}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
= Activism =
In 2018 she cohosted a seminar on LGBT rights, adultery, and the pothole menace in the city of Mumbai alongside advocate Aditya Pratap.{{Cite news |last=Mattoo |first=Seema |date=27 July 2018 |title=Mumbaikars take a pledge to be the change |work=TOI |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/mumbaikars-take-a-pledge-to-be-the-change/articleshow/65163234.cms}}
She has advocated for menstrual leave for women.{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/period-leave-or-not-heres-what-women-have-to-say/301033|title=Period Leave Or Not? Here's What Women Have To Say|work=outlookindia}}
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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.indianfoodexpress.in/2019/01/sexual-harassment-in-corporates-abha-singh-actress-madhoo-shah-the-rannsamar-foundation.html|title=Sexual Harassment in Corporates – Abha Singh – Actress Madhoo Shah – The Rannsamar Foundation|work=indianfoodexpress.in}}
Singh partnered with Akancha Srivastava on a campaign against cyber-stalking. Called Akancha Against Harassment, the campaign seeks to bring 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.afternoondc.in/dairy/abha-singhs-campaign-against-cyber-stalking/article_240569|title=Abha Singh's campaign against cyber-stalking|work=afternoondc.in}}
Singh offers legal aid to women with her radio show 'Dhun badal ke toh dekho', cohosted with Vidya Balan.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sakaltimes.com/art-culture/%E2%80%98dhunn-badalke-toh-dekho%E2%80%99-say-vidya-balan-and-abha-singh-32135|title='Dhunn Badalke Toh Dekho', say Vidya Balan and Abha Singh|work=sakal times}}{{Cite news|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-to-offer-free-legal-aid-to-women-with-her-radio-show/articleshow/68068741.cms|title=Vidya Balan to offer free legal aid to women with her radio|work=Mumbai Mirror}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodbubble.com/bollywood-gossips/vidya-balan-provide-free-legal-aid-women-radio-show/|title=Vidya Balan to provide free legal aid to women? Deets inside|work=bollywoodbubble.com}}
Abha Singh gave a 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 of their rights.{{Cite news |last=Jain |first=Mukti |date=27 February 2019 |title=Will and succession seminar for Amdavadi women on March 1 |work=TOI |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/will-and-succession-seminar-for-amdavadi-women-on-march-1/articleshow/68188618.cms |access-date=15 January 2023}}
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.{{Cite news |title=Maharashtra: Activists welcome Supreme Court verdict on dance bars, hailed the order as 'progressive' |work=dnaindia |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-maharashtra-activists-welcome-supreme-court-verdict-on-dance-bars-hailed-order-as-progressive-2709057}}{{Cite news |title=Activists laud verdict; Maharashtra government cautious |work=deccanchronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180119/activists-laud-verdict-maharashtra-government-cautious.html}} She also said the state government was responsible for some of these women "facing penury" without being provided an alternate means of employment.{{Cite news |date=17 January 2019 |title=Activists call SC verdict on Maharashtra dance bars a 'great victory', express hope of ex-performers returning to profession |work=firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/activists-call-sc-verdict-on-maharashtra-dance-bars-a-great-victory-express-hope-of-ex-performers-returning-to-profession-5914641.html |access-date=15 January 2023}}{{Cite news |date=13 August 2018 |title=Speak up Mumbai: After Supreme Court's censure should dance bars start in the city again? |work=dnaindia |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-speak-up-mumbai-after-supreme-court-s-censure-should-dance-bars-start-in-the-city-again-2649094}}{{Cite news |date=17 January 2019 |title=Dance bars: NCP accuses Maharashtra government of 'nexus' with bar owners after SC judgement |work=Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/latest/909829/dance-bars-ncp-accuses-maharashtra-government-of-nexus-with-bar-owners-after-sc-judgement |access-date=15 January 2023}}
Singh believes that women need to be educated for the development of the country. Such is her passion for women’s rights that even on her vacation, Abha Singh and her daughter have gone to Riyadh to study the situation of women there.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-dna-women-s-marathon-from-riyadh-to-running-1660841|title='DNA' women's marathon: From Riyadh to running|work=DNA India}}
Abha Singh walked the ramp for fashion designer Shaina NC’s Fashion Show to raise funds for Cancer Patients Aid Association in Mumbai. Sonam Kapoor, Pretty Zinta, Karan Johar, and Shweta Bachchan Nanda, among others, walked the ramp to create awareness.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/abha-singh-walks-the-ramp-for-cancer-awareness/articleshow/68752875.cms|title=Abha Singh walks the ramp for Cancer Awareness|work=TOI}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.hellomumbainews.com/entertainment/fashion-show-for-cancer-patients-abha-singh-walks-the-ramp/|title=Fashion Show For Cancer Patients, Abha Singh Walks The Ramp|work=hellomumbainews.com}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.afternoondc.in/dairy/abha-singh-zooms-into-action/article_243775|title=Abha Singh zooms into action|work=afternoondc.in}}
Speeches
In May 2017, Singh spoke at TEDx Oxbridge. Entitled "Why laws in place do not empower women?"{{Cite news|url=https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/23702|title=TEDxOxbridge|work=TEDx}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlTEEpbzVes|title=Why laws in place do not empower women? Abha Singh TEDxOxbridge|work=TEDx, YouTube}}
Singh was a keynote speaker at the Global Forum of the XIN Philanthropy Conference 2018 in New Delhi hosted by the Alibaba Foundation.{{Cite news |title=Alibaba Foundation hosts the Global Forum of the XIN Philanthropy Conference 2018 in New Delhi |work=spoindia.org |url=https://spoindia.org/alibaba-foundation-hosts-the-global-forum-of-the-xin-philanthropy-conference-2018-in-new-delhi/}}{{Cite news |title=Abha Singh is busier than ever |work=afternoondc.in |url=http://www.afternoondc.in/dairy/abha-singh-is-busier-than-ever/article_231311}}
Singh delivered a talk on the #MeToo Movement and its effect on Indian corporate culture at India Dialogues, Columbia University, New York {{Cite news |date=27 April 2020 |title=Abha Singh delivers a talk at India Dialogues at Columbia University, New York, on the #MeToo Movement |work=indiaeducationdiary.in |url=http://indiaeducationdiary.in/abha-singh-delivers-talk-india-dialogues-columbia-university-new-york-metoo-movement/}}{{Cite news |date=4 December 2018 |title=Eminent policymakers, economists, activists in US discuss issues being faced in India |work=business-standard.com |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/eminent-policymakers-economists-activists-in-us-discuss-issues-being-faced-in-india-118120400525_1.html}}
Singh spoke at She/Talks Mumbai, an event organised by SheThePeople.TV in association with the Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai.{{Cite news |title=We Are All Change Makers: Abha Singh At She/Talks Mumbai |work=shethepeople.tv |url=https://www.shethepeople.tv/news/shweta-ganesh-kumar-times-of-amma}}
Personal life
Singh's father was a gallantry award-winning police officer.{{According to whom|date=May 2022}} 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.
She is married to Yogesh Pratap Singh, who was formerly an officer in the Indian Police Service and currently serves as a lawyer in Bombay High Court.
Rann-Samar Foundation
Singh runs an NGO named Rann-Samar, which helps people who cannot afford legal assistance from professional lawyers. The foundation has helped construct toilets in rural areas and organizes beautician courses for women convicts in Lucknow Jail.
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.
Awards
- Tata Consultancy Services and Taj Group Women Achievers Award in April 2008.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mayapuri.com/that-i-am-born-a-woman-is-my-biggest-award-sushmita-sen/abha-singh-and-leah-tata-at-the-i-am-woman-awards-to-celebrate-the-inspiration-of-women-an-educationist-karan-gupta-initiative/|title=Abha Singh and Leah Tata at the I Am Woman Awards to celebrate the inspiration of women, an Educationist Karan Gupta initiative|work=mayapuri.com}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Shatabdi Varsh Samman by Bank of Baroda for outstanding contribution to society through dissemination of knowledge in July 2008.
- Government Citizen Karmaveer Puraskaar by the Confederation of NGOs, New Delhi.
- 2007 Lead India finalist
- Mumbai Mayors award on International Women's Day in March 2011.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/city-sees-an-award-ceremony-that-celebrates-the-inspiration-of-women/articleshow/63971074.cms|title=Mumbai hosts an award ceremony that celebrates the inspiration of women|work=Times of India}}
- I Am Woman Award in 2018{{Cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/weblite/news/parties-and-events/celebs-grace-woman-awards/|title=Celebs grace I Am Woman awards|work=bollywood hungama}}{{Cite news|url=https://youthincmag.com/i-am-woman-honouring-extraordinary-and-inspirational-woman|title='I Am Woman', Honouring Extraordinary And Inspirational Women|work=youthincmag.com}}