SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE 19th ANNUAL CONVOCATION OF THE NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL OF INDIA UNIVERSITY

Bangalore, Karnataka, 7th August 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to be present here today on the occasion of the Convocation of the National Law School of India University at Bangalore. This institution, along with the other National Law Schools established in India, since 1988 has significantly changed the landscape of legal education in the country. I hope that all students of these institutions will strive to serve society, and to make legal processes efficient instruments of social development, the primary objectives laid down in the Statute that established the National Law Schools.

Good quality legal education prepares you to meet your future with assurance, knowledge and responsibility. Its goal is to train skilled professionals who understand that securing justice for the people in accordance with the laws of the land, is essential for instilling a sense of confidence in the rule of law. In a large country such as India, which has immense diversity, this also requires developing a sensitive approach to the many different practices and customs. There however, should be no doubt that the ultimate purpose of legal education is to make lives better, societies more just and civilized, and the nation more progressive.

When I see young prospective lawyers before me, it takes me back to the 1960's when I joined the Government Law College in Mumbai. Much has changed in the fifty years, but I am sure the excitement you feel as you enter your new profession, is the same as many have experienced in their lives, as they embarked on new journeys. I am sure that the graduating students, who are entering the domain of legal practice, will apply knowledge they have acquired here, to the best of their ability to their work. I wish you the very best. You shall be entering different streams of the legal field. Some of you may enter legal practice and become members of the Bar. Those of you, who do so, may practice individually or as part of a law firm, yet others may want to become lawyers in the government system. You may become judges at various levels of the legal pyramid. Therefore, there is much that you can look forward to, as also many challenges that you shall face. An aspect that should engage you as lawyers throughout your careers should be on the question of how justice can become more accessible to all. Today, the cost of litigation is sometimes beyond the means of large sections of society. So long as that is the case, and not everyone can have access to justice, we cannot truly say that all can knock on the doors of law to seek justice for their grievances. Each one of you must think and try to seek an answer to this.

While the path of each member of today's graduating class may be different from here onwards, the principles which you, as legal experts represent must always remain the same. These values should be just like the North Star in the sky, always present at that very same spot year after year, and always there to help one find their bearing. You must be true to the principles of your profession and you should, in no event, underestimate the importance of morals and ethics in everyday life. Strong adherence to ethics forms the backbone of stable social structures. Disputes are inevitable, but litigation is not. The resolution of disputes can be done in diverse ways. Lawyers, as trustees of justice, can suggest simplified options to their clients, so that justice is neither denied nor delayed. As Abraham Lincoln stated, "Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough." As lawyers, you shall be engaged in securing justice for your clients, or as judges finding justice for the litigants who come before you, but do make your lives meaningful for others.

As a lawyer you will be expected to obtain favourable verdicts in cases you represent, which you must try to the best of your ability. But that is not the only thing which makes a good lawyer. It is not the amount of money or fame that makes a good lawyer. Neither is a good lawyer, one who has the most high profile clients. All these factors could be important for an individual, but always remember that those who shall seek your services will come to you with hope and a belief that you shall give them honest advice, and will make honest efforts to present their matter. Therefore, seek to develop the highest degree of honesty and integrity. If you have these qualities, then you shall be remembered long after your days. As Gandhiji would say, "a true lawyer is one who places truth and justice in the first place."

Those who will choose to become judicial officers should be upright individuals, beyond the scope of any external influence. As members of the judiciary, you shall be subjected to the highest and most exacting standards of ethics. Do not fail yourself in that test. Your true worth will be, if you can be completely objective about issues on which justice is sought, just like the symbol of justice - blindfolded with the scale of law balanced.

While some principles in life remain unchanged over long spans of time, other realities of life such as technology and its application continue to rapidly change with the passage of time. As lawyers you must be able to cope with change in technology and its application to your profession. We are living in times, when tremendous changes are taking place in the world. Legal systems have to cope with the impact of the 21st Century, 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 these 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. I am confident that the faculty of this law school shall vigorously keep pace with change.

Therefore, for the Law School the challenge is to stay ahead, especially in the context of globalization, and to remain a centre of excellence. Research and knowledge has increased manifold. Issues are getting complex and matters more complicated. Globalization has thrown up many challenges, and the legal profession has to cater to the increasing demands for skilled legal professionals, who can effectively function in the emerging legal order. The goal should be to have standards in this institution which are internationally acceptable.

I convey my best wishes to the Vice-Chancellor, faculty members and students and graduating students. My special wishes once again to the graduating students, as they leave this institution, to apply the knowledge and skills learnt here, to the professional world of law. I wish them all the best.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!