Justice Nagarathna shared an inspiring story about two lawyers one who became the President of India and the other who became the Chief Justice. She told this story during her speech at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. The story showed how lawyers can make a big difference in the country. Justice Nagarathna highlighted the value of hard work and honesty in the legal profession.
Bengaluru: Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna became emotional as she paid tribute to her parents, recalling her mother’s constant support for her father, former Chief Justice ES Venkataramiah.
Justice Nagarathna spoke at a gathering at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, which was hosting a lecture to Observe the Century milestone of Chief Justice Venkataramiah, who taught at the institution after his retirement.
Justice PS Narasimha, another Supreme Court judge, delivered the memorial lecture.
During her address, Justice Nagarathna expressed gratitude for the life lessons she learned from her father’s diverse persona.
She remarked,
“I have always remained a student of law under his guidance. I have observed in him a strength of personality, which has only fortified my personal belief that fighting a good cause is most rewarding.”
She noted her father’s love for literature and culture, which broadened her exposure to various subjects.
With emotion, Justice Nagarathna recalled her mother’s role in supporting her father, stating,
“My mother, Smt Padma, was quick to appreciate what my father’s true calling was. She left no stone unturned in enabling him to realize his dreams. Importantly, she knew what it took to remain a conscientious and hard-working judge and always supported him. She was known for her pragmatism and patience.”
After sharing these sentiments, she invited Justice Narasimha to deliver the lecture, visibly wiping her eyes as she returned to her seat on stage.
Justice Nagarathna also shared her father’s poignant words upon his elevation to the bench,
“A judge is always on trial, and I hope to be acquitted honorably at the end of my tenure.”
She recounted an interesting incident involving two lawyers who met on a train, one of whom would later become the President of India, while the other became Chief Justice.
She explained,
“In December 1946, the All India Lawyers’ Conference was held in Nagpur. Since there was no direct train between Bangalore and Nagpur, one had to travel to Chennai to catch the Grand Trunk Express. In the railway compartment, a few lawyers from Bangalore and Madras became friendly due to their shared interests,”
Read Also:“FUTURE CHIEF JUSTICE- The Dazzling Legal Odyssey of Justice B. V. Nagarathna”
Justice Nagarathna concluded,
“Forty-three years later, in June 1989, those two gentlemen met again at the Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan one as President of India, Shri R. Venkataraman, who was to swear in the other, Justice ES Venkataramiah, as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. When my father mentioned this to President R. Venkataraman after the oath ceremony, he too recalled the train journey to Nagpur,”
Justice Nagarathna’s words inspire young lawyers, highlighting the power of persistence and dedication in the journey towards justice.
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