CJI Surya Kant Advises Law Graduates to Embrace 'Unapologetic Pauses' at WBNUJS Convocation
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant delivered a powerful message to graduating students at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) in Kolkata. He urged them to take "unapologetic pauses" to sustain themselves in the demanding legal profession. The convocation ceremony took place on Sunday at the Dhono Dhanyo auditorium.
Navigating High-Pressure Legal Careers
CJI Surya Kant emphasized the increasing pressures that young lawyers will face as they progress in their careers. He stated that expectations will rise and timelines will tighten. Decisions will carry greater consequences in such an environment. The capacity to halt, study the mind, and regain perspective becomes indispensable according to the Chief Justice.
He reminded the graduates that many of them are no longer conventional students. They have already stepped into courtrooms, chambers, offices, and various institutions. Yet they returned to the university not merely to receive degrees but to relive this beautiful phase of their lives.
WBNUJS Convocation Celebrates Five Batches
The university conducted its convocation for five batches after a gap of five years. A total of 1,050 degrees were awarded during the ceremony. This included 140 medal recipients who received special recognition for their academic achievements. The previous convocation was held in 2022 for the 2020 graduating batch.
Training Social Engineers, Not Legal Mechanics
WBNUJS Vice Chancellor Nandimath Omprakash V outlined the university's vision during the event. He stressed that law schools must train social engineers rather than mere legal mechanics. The goal is to create legal professionals with a strong social conscience and a genuine commitment to justice.
The VC explained that the university needed to send its warriors with a strong commitment to wage war. Their mission is to raise the bar for democratic values and inclusiveness in society. He acknowledged that WBNUJS had been in the news for some overstated aberrations in the past. The institution needed to quickly mend its ways and march forward with focus to realize its true potential.
University Achievements and Future Directions
Vice Chancellor Nandimath highlighted several key achievements of WBNUJS during his address:
- The university secured fourth position in the NIRF rankings
- It received an A+ grade from NAAC
- WBNUJS achieved second place in research and professional practice
- The institution maintains strong faculty publishing records
He affirmed that the university would continue its bold academic experiments as intended by its statute and founding fathers. This commitment remains strong despite past challenges.
Lawyers as Agents of Economic Development
Ranbir Singh, former Vice Chancellor of NALSAR Hyderabad and NLU Delhi, also addressed the gathering. He emphasized that lawyers must play a very proactive role in today's time. They should function as progressive and development lawyers to achieve the economic development of the country.
Singh pointed out a critical challenge facing the legal profession. More people remain below the poverty line despite the constitutional mandate of equality and equal opportunity. Lawyers need to find solutions to this pressing issue according to the former Vice Chancellor.
The convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone for WBNUJS and its graduates. It brought together legal luminaries, academic leaders, and promising young professionals to reflect on the future of the legal profession in India.
