From Courtrooms to Classrooms: The Legal Crusade of Dr. Soumi Chatterjee

When Law Becomes a Conversation, Not a Commandment

In a country where legal knowledge often feels locked behind heavy law books, complex jargon, and courtroom doors, Dr. Soumi Chatterjee is reimagining how we talk about law—and more importantly, who gets to talk about it.

“I’ve always believed law shouldn’t intimidate—it should empower,” says Dr. Chatterjee, founder of Vidhi Vaarta, a virtual forum that is not just educating people about legal rights, but inspiring them to take action.

Launched in 2024, Vidhi Vaarta (which translates to “Legal Conversations”) isn’t just a startup; it’s a social impact initiative designed to tackle one of India’s most overlooked challenges: the lack of legal awareness among students and the general public.

In a short span, the platform has hosted international conferences, offered virtual internships, and run competitions and educational boot camps, all in an effort to make legal education less about textbooks and more about real-world engagement.

Meet the Founder: The Scholar, Advocate, and Changemaker

Dr. Soumi Chatterjee is not your typical founder. Her resume is a tapestry of academic distinction, legal advocacy, and social vision. A Doctorate in Law, she has studied at prestigious institutions like Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law and Amity University, and has worked in elite legal circles including the Delhi High Court, the Supreme Court of India, and TATA Teleservices Ltd. as Assistant Legal Manager.

Her Ph.D. research—“A Socio-Legal Study on the Misuse of Anti-Dowry Laws by Women Against Their Husbands and In-Laws”—reflects her fearless approach to tackling controversial and nuanced legal issues. Her authored book “Dowry: Laws and Its Misuse in India” and editorial work further amplify her voice as a researcher and legal commentator.

But behind the accolades is someone deeply passionate about education, inclusion, and community awareness. “I wanted to take law out of ivory towers and bring it to the people,” she explains.

The Birth of Vidhi Vaarta: A Movement in the Making

The idea for Vidhi Vaarta didn’t strike overnight. It was born out of years of observing a glaring gap between legal systems and those it’s meant to serve.

“There were two things I kept noticing: Students, especially from private universities, lacked motivation and opportunities. And the general public remained unaware of their basic legal rights,” she recalls.

She envisioned a platform that would educate, engage, and empower—not just future lawyers, but everyday citizens navigating everything from marriage laws to tenant rights. That vision became Vidhi Vaarta, a forum for “conversations that matter.”

Under the umbrella of her broader educational initiative, the SRTD Group (Where Education Meets Adventure), Dr. Chatterjee extended Vidhi Vaarta as a digital space where seminars, webinars, workshops, expert talks, certificate courses, and internships could converge into a community of changemakers.

Challenges in the Court of Public Opinion

Of course, creating a meaningful impact in the legal education space isn’t easy—especially when your audience ranges from law students to laypeople.

“Building our name in the academic circuit was slow,” she admits. “Networking was difficult, and students from private universities often didn’t engage the way we hoped.”

There were deeper structural challenges too. Legal education in India, while vast in curriculum, often misses out on practical exposure. And public legal literacy remains dangerously low.

“Trying to gather people from different backgrounds and educate them about their rights is incredibly difficult,” she says. “But it’s also necessary.”

To counter these barriers, Dr. Chatterjee focused on experiential learning—using competitions, internships, and boot camps to foster engagement. She also leaned on collaboration, bringing in educators, researchers, and guest speakers from across the country.

A Global Milestone: International Conference 2025

For every startup, there’s a moment when everything changes. For Vidhi Vaarta, that moment came in 2025 with its first International Conference.

“The event exceeded all expectations,” she says. “It was more than just a milestone; it was a validation of our efforts.”

The conference drew students, legal professionals, and educators from around the world, sparking not just dialogue but genuine networking and collaboration. For the Vidhi Vaarta team, it cemented their credibility and inspired them to aim even higher.

Work Accomplished under Vidhi Vaarta

• International Conference on ‘Religion and Law in Transnational Diaspora’ held on 26–27th April 2025
• National Seminar on ‘Gender Equality and Rights of Men’ to be held on 24th August 2025
• More than two article writing competitions on topics such as ‘Men’s Rights,’ ‘Medical Negligence,’ and ‘Language, Culture and Law’
• Weekly free virtual expert talks by legal professionals, academicians, industrial experts, and more

Work Under The ConvoSane Show
 A virtual podcast series set to launch in June 2025. It will feature weekly episodes covering diverse and thought-provoking topics including female fertility, how to build a startup, living a better life through spirituality, and even the science of parapsychology.

Under Gang of Travellers
 SRTD’s travel-based learning initiative has already organized:

• An adventure trip to Jim Corbett National Park
• A pilgrimage journey to Tungnath Mahadev Yatra
• A leisure retreat to Deoriatal Lake
  And more trips designed to combine exploration with personal growth

Beyond Legal: The SRTD Ecosystem

While Vidhi Vaarta is the legal arm of her vision, it’s just one part of the broader SRTD Group, a multifaceted educational ecosystem that thrives on innovation.

At SRTD, the motto is clear: “Education Meets Adventure.” The group doesn’t just talk about learning—it lives it. Whether it’s legal seminars or traveling with purpose through Gang of Travellers (G.O.T), the idea is to embrace learning through experience.

“We believe knowledge is a living, evolving stream,” Dr. Chatterjee shares. “Our goal is to make people brave enough to share their ideas, challenge norms, and contribute to a better world.”

The Team Behind the Vision

While Dr. Soumi Chatterjee is the visionary driving the SRTD Group, it’s the collaborative effort of a dedicated team that fuels its success across all ventures—Vidhi Vaarta, The ConvoSane Show, and Gang of Travellers. Each team member brings unique strengths and perspectives, ensuring the mission is executed with precision and passion.

• Divyanshu Nautiyal
  Head – Legal Advisory Board
   A cornerstone of the legal thought leadership at SRTD, Mr. Nautiyal heads the Legal Advisory Board, providing critical oversight and guidance across all verticals, including Vidhi Vaarta, The ConvoSane Show, and Gang of Travellers.
• Raashid Ali
  Co-Founder / Director / Legal Advisor
   As a Co-Founder and Director, Mr. Ali plays a pivotal role in strategic direction and legal structuring for the entire SRTD ecosystem. His advisory role ensures compliance, innovation, and impact across initiatives.
• Taasir Ali
  Co-Founder / Content Creator / Head – Editing Team
   A creative force behind the scenes, Mr. Taasir Ali shapes the storytelling and visual identity of the SRTD Group’s projects. His leadership of the content and editing team is crucial in delivering high-quality, engaging narratives across all platforms.

Together, this powerhouse team is transforming how legal education, storytelling, and experiential learning intersect—building a community-driven, knowledge-centric movement that’s as diverse as it is impactful.

What’s Next? Vision 2030 for Vidhi Vaarta

Looking to the future, Dr. Chatterjee has a crystal-clear roadmap: expansion, engagement, and impact.

“In the next five years, we want to reach every corner of the country. We plan to scale our competitions, add more certificate programs, and deepen our internship models,” she says.

But it’s not just about growth—it’s about sustainability and quality. “We want to make sure that every student who interacts with Vidhi Vaarta comes out more confident, more competent, and more curious.”

Lessons from the Journey: Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For other entrepreneurs—especially those in the educational or social impact sectors—Dr. Chatterjee’s story offers profound insights:

1. Let Purpose Drive You: “Vidhi Vaarta wasn’t a business plan; it was a calling.”
2. Patience Pays: “Academic fields are slow. Impact doesn’t show overnight. Stick with it.”
3. Build the Right Network: “It’s not just what you know—it’s who believes in your mission.”
4. Stay Rooted in Reality: “Work with real problems. When your work touches lives, it matters.”

And most importantly: “Be brave enough to start. Even if it’s messy. Even if no one understands at first. Just start.”

Final Thoughts: Law as a Tool, Not a Threat

In a world that often sees law as punishment or power, Dr. Chatterjee is reframing it as a tool for empowerment and equity. Through Vidhi Vaarta, she’s creating a space where law is no longer feared, but understood, discussed, and acted upon.

Whether it’s a university student unsure of their career path or a homemaker unaware of her legal rights, Vidhi Vaarta is giving people a voice—and the tools to use it.

Connect With Vidhi Vaarta: Be Part of the Change

Dr. Soumi Chatterjee and her team are building something powerful—and inclusive. If you're passionate about education, law, or community transformation, now is the time to engage.

Here’s how you can be part of this movement:

• ???? Official Website: http://srtd.co.in/
• ???? LinkedIn: Vidhi Vaarta
• ???? Instagram: @vidhi_vaarta
• ???? Email: c88@gmail.com

Whether you’re a student, educator, researcher, or simply someone who believes in justice—Vidhi Vaarta welcomes you.

Because when law becomes a conversation, the entire nation listens.