SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL , AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL OF DELHI UNIVERSITY

New Delhi, 3rd September 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to inaugurate the National Law School of Delhi University. It is heartening to note that the twelve National Law Schools already established in the country since 1988, have changed the landscape of legal education, producing some of the finest legal professionals. I am confident that the National Law School in the capital city will also become a centre of excellence in the country.

I am particularly happy speaking to young law students. It reminds me of the time when I joined Government Law College in Mumbai in the early sixties. Though much has changed since then, I am sure that the excitement of joining a professional educational institute remains the same.

The vital significance of quality legal education cannot be overemphasized. Its goal is no less than that of making a multifaceted and skilled professional, a responsible member of society, contributing to nation building. The width and enormity of the goal of quality legal education can be gauged by the fact that we live in a society that is diverse, mobile and dynamic, requiring a wide understanding of many issues, laws and customs.

In Law Schools, students get to learn about the legal structure of the country, its legal system, laws and, most importantly, legal ethics. Knowledge about what the rules are, who will enforce the rules and who will resolve the disputes is imparted. The skills and attitudes learnt are useful tools in professional lives. However, it must never be forgotten that the entire purpose of education is to make lives better, societies more just and the nation more progressive.

Plato, the Greek philosopher, said that justice in the life and the conduct of the State is possible only if it first resides in the hearts and the souls of its citizens. This approach calls on each individual to adopt a fair and just attitude. In India, since ancient times, justice has always been equated with Truth and Dharma. According to our dictum where there is dharma, there is victory. Every new entrant to the Law School, should get a deep understanding of these basic tenets of the philosophy of law so that later in their professional life they adopt the Dharma of Truth and Welfare of all.

Historically, legal luminaries have always played a major role in the affairs of nations. In India, they have been at the forefront of providing leadership to the freedom struggle and winning independence for us. Our great national leaders - Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal Nehru, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Netaji Bose - all had legal backgrounds. Similarly, in our Constituent Assembly, members of the legal profession contributed to finalizing the principles and structure of our Constitution, which lays down the functions of the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary as well as assures to all its citizens, political, social and economic justice.

Ever since Independence, our collective effort has been to make our Judicial System more responsive and modern. We have covered many a milestone along this path. Several outmoded Acts have been amended or repealed and the processes have been reformed to allow for alternative methods of grievance redressal. However, in a country with the size and magnitude of India, providing access to justice for all remains a challenge, particularly in respect of the marginalized sections of our society. Free legal aid is guaranteed but our efforts to enhance deliverability of justice have to continue.

May I add that public perception of legal institutions is crucial in making people believe that the enforcement of their rights is possible and that they will, indeed, get relief. This is dependent on the functioning of the stakeholders of our legal system, which includes lawyers, judges, legal practitioners, academic institutions, teachers and scholars. Whatever the role in the legal profession, there is great responsibility that has to be carried. Advocates are a load bearing pillar of the judicial system with important duties to perform for ensuring the protection of law, avoidance of injustice and fighting atrocities as well as promoting law abiding, peaceful and civilized societies. They must follow a strict code of ethics. Judges have to bring all their skills into account while delivering justice. Both the Bar and the Bench, as equal partners in the administration of justice, must contribute to enhancing the prestige of the judicial system.

The basic postulate that justice should not only be done but it must also be seen to be done, is a constant reminder of the high standards that must be maintained in delivering justice. Belonging to the legal fraternity, I have great respect for the legal field. We have produced some of the most brilliant lawyers and judges who have helped in the interpretation of law and its implication in diverse fields. On the public image of the legal fraternity, the eminent jurist, Shri Justice Chagla had said, and I quote, "The legal profession is a great calling and it is a learned and noble profession. Remember always that it is a profession. It is not a trade or business. The distinction between the two is deep and fundamental ... service to society and your fellow men has to be the dominant motive underlying your work." Unquote. The future lies with the youth of the country and I have great hopes that they will fulfill their responsibilities to the institution of the Court, which forms the edifice of the legal structure.

We are living in challenging times when tremendous changes are taking place in the world. Legal systems have to cope with the impact of 21st century technologies in the fields of Information Technology, bio-technology, medicine and intellectual property. Business and commerce now operate in an international environment. Legal education must equip law professionals to meet the new challenges and dimensions of functioning in a globally integrated world. Expertise in international law and knowledge about legal systems in other countries is still lacking in our country. Law courses must take international and comparative law perspectives in the syllabi along with necessary understanding of domestic law.

As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Indian job market for the legal profession will undoubtedly continue to soar. Career choices matter and sooner or later students will undoubtedly cogitate on what the future holds. I believe that many new lawyers are getting attracted by the higher returns in the corporate world. There is certainly nothing wrong to have a career in a corporate set-up but court experience is also something that you should not miss.

Many of you will, I am sure, become members of the Bar, taking up one of the highest callings of humanity. It is in a court that the arguing skills are tested and the mind is sharpened. It is here that you can also contribute to society by taking up socially important matters and those of the weaker sections. My advice to you would be to aim to be counsellors in the true sense of the word. Act boldly. Pursue truth. Defend freedom. And above all, seek justice. Lawyers are trustees of justice for us all. Disputes are inevitable but litigation is not. The resolution of disputes can be done in diverse ways. Litigants can be offered simplified options so that justice is neither delayed nor denied. Apart from the formal Court structure in India, a number of alternate dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration, conciliation, judicial settlement and mediation have been established. Students should study these methodologies of disputes settlement. Introduction of an inter-disciplinary approach to legal education need not be over emphasized. Many law colleges have imaginatively revisited their curriculum contents and this exercise has to be followed by those who are yet to reshape their curriculum so as to impart to it the requisite dynamism.

Our young lawyers possess keen minds, they are eager to move ahead. Sometimes overeagerness can result in piquant situations. This reminds me of an anecdote, which you may have heard, about a young lawyer who had just started his own legal practice and was anxious to impress potential clients. When the first visitor to his office came through the door, he immediately picked up his phone and spoke into it saying, that he was very busy and would only take up new matters as an exception. Thinking he had adequately impressed the man who had just walked in, the young lawyer asked what he could do for him. The man replied nothing - I am here only to repair your phone.

The initial years of the profession can be challenging but you must persevere. From the Bar, other career options open. We also cannot be oblivious of the fact that the Bar serves as the seedbed for the judiciary. Lawyers of eminence, erudition, vision and integrity adorn the Bench in due course.

Five years hence many of you will be passing out of the hallowed portals of the National Law College. Always remember what Mahatma Gandhi said, "A true lawyer is one who places truth and service in the first place." I am quoting Gandhiji with the objective of motivating you to devote part of your time and energy to securing legal services for the poor and the disadvantaged. The spirit of public service should continue to burn bright.

The first batch of students of the National Law School will be the torch bearers for the future generations of students. This institution should be able to look towards your achievements as legal professionals with pride.

I conclude by conveying my good wishes to the Chancellor, faculty members and students of the National Law School of Delhi University. I pay rich compliments to the Late Justice T.P.S. Chawla and his wife for their magnificent contribution to the development of the National Law School of Delhi University.

Thank You.

Jai Hind

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