ABSTRACT
This chapter traces Asha Mukundan’s professional journey that began from direct work with children through civil society organisations, to policy-related work with the government, to entering the field of academics, and still being rooted to the field by starting a Resource Cell for Juvenile Justice (RCJJ), a Field Action Project (FAP) of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The RCJJ focuses on the issue of child rights, within the larger theme of access to justice for children interfacing with the juvenile justice system, with a special focus on the neglected group of children in conflict with law (CCL). All her research studies on this topic, and the programme of help desk started in a few observation homes, have been the first of the kind in India. A combination of field, research, and advocacy contributed to change and impact. The achievements also came with challenges like hostile working environment in some districts, demoralised staff, and lack of funds.
