WE SHALL OVERCOME

This is the ninth and concluding post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It ends on the note 'हम होंगे कामयाब'.

Vizianagram Hall, Science Faculty, Allahabad University - Photo courtesy a friend   

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm at Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।। 

FALL FROM GRACE

This is the eighth post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about what went wrong with the Allahabad University.

Senate Hall, University of Allahabad

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm At Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

CAN PARLIAMENT ABOLISH CONSTITUTION

This is the seventh post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the sixth notch of the key to unlock the door to the glorious future - encourage discussion and push the students to the unknown territory. 

The first building of the Law Faculty was constructed in 1910 and now houses the English Department. However, our third year classes were held in this building only.

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm At Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।। 

DON'T WORRY, IT WILL COOL DOWN

Prof Shyam Lal Srivastava

This is the sixth post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the fifth notch of the key for the the glorious future - understand the difficulties and problems of the students and help them; it is an asset for the institution. Here is an example of the same how our teachers helped us.

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm At Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

THE UNFORGETTABLE TEACHER - PROF. RD PATHAK

Dr. RD Pathak (01.10.1936 - 10.02.2003) 

This is the fifth post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the fourth notch in the key to open door for glorious future: consider students more important that your time - a common phenomenon among the teachers in those times. 

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm at Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

CHRIST BIRTH IN STABLE - COURTESY STATISTICIAN

This is the fourth post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the third notch of the key to unlock the door to the glorious future - Talk about interesting books other than the text books on the subject. 

Science Faculty - Allahabad University

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm at Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। Christ Birth In Stable - Courtesy Statistician।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Dr. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

GOD DOES NOT EXIST

This is the third post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the second notch of the key to unlock the door to the glorious future - Make your subject interesting. 

Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma in his traditional dress - Dhoti- Kurta in an international conference at the Allahabad University. He was one of the finest teachers in the University. He modernised the syllabus of the mathematics department of the University - making it toughest, and finest in the country.

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm at Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। Christ Birth In Stable - Courtesy Statistician।। The Unforgettable Teacher - prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

STUDENTS' ENTHUSIASM AT ALLAHABAD - UNPARALLELED

This is the second post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the first notch of the key to unlock the door to glorious future - Invite eminent academicians to the campus. 

Vizianagram Hall - As was then when I attended the lectures or studied

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm At Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। Christ Birth In Stable - Courtesy Statistician।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

HAPPY DAYS GONE BY - Introduction

In order to revive the Allahabad University, the Vice Chancellor of the Allahabad University has taken unprecedented step to fill up the vacancies. Three hundred appointments have been made. Screening and interviews for the remaining posts are going on. She has also organised an 'Induction program of the faculty members at the University of Allahabad' to inspire the newly appointed teachers by talking about the great teachers of the past.

I was requested to speak  about our old teachers. I had thought of speaking at length but cut short the speech to accommodate the time available. I will be publishing my talk in parts. Here is the first part of the unabridged version.

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm at Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। Christ Birth In Stable - Courtesy Statistician।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

WELL READ PERSON - BEST PREPARED FOR LAW

Felix Franfurter J. - Courtesy Wikipedia

This is the seventh and the last post of the series ‘Command Over Language is an Asset’. It talks about: advice of Felix Frankfurter J. to a young boy, when the boy had asked him how to prepare to become a good lawyer; the secret of KL Misra’s success; and explains the same, with the help of one the finest  science fiction story ever written - ‘Profession’ by Isaac Asimov. 

Command Over Language Is An Asset

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।। Ruling May Not Choke My Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।।

RULING MAY NOT CHOKE MY INTELLIGENCE

This is the sixth post of the series ‘Command Over Language is an Asset’. It recommands watching the best advocates to learn the art - with some experiences of my own.

Nani Palkhivala - picture courtesy Palkhivala Exhibition June 2023 Bombay

Command Over Language Is An Asset

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।। Ruling May Not My Choke Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।।

HAS RHETORIC ANY PLACE IN COURT?

This is the fifth post in the series ‘Command Over Language is an Asset’.

This painting depicting a lecture in a knight academy, illustrates rhetoric. It was painted by Pieter Isaacsz or Reinhold Timm for Rosenborg Castle as part of a series of seven paintings depicting the seven independent arts.  Picture Courtesy Wikipedia

Command Over Language Is An Asset

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।।  Has Rhetoric Any Place In Court।। Ruling May Not Choke My Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।।

PRESENT EVOLVES OUT OF THE PAST

This is fourth post in the series ‘Command Over Language is an Asset’. It talks about my experience with great personality - Kanhaiya Lal Misra.  

Kanhaiya Lal Misra speaking during centenary celebrations of the Allahabad High Court

Command Over Language Is An Asset

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।। Has Rhetoric Any Place In Court?।। Ruling May Not Choke My Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।। 

MISFORTUNE OF BEING OPPOSED BY KL MISRA

This is third post the series ‘Command Over Language is an Asset’. It talks about the case filed by  the acting editor of Blitz in the Bombay High Court for damages against Speaker of the UP Assembly and what happened when Kanhaiya Lal Misra appeared in the case. 

Statue of Goddess of Justice - Themis at Bombay High Court

Command Over Language Is An Asset

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।। Has Rhetoric Any Place In Court?।। Ruling May Not Choke My Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।।

ADVOCATE GENERAL TAUGHT ENGLISH TO ME

Kanhaiya Lal Misra (31.08.1903 – 14.10.1975)

Summary: This is second part of the series 'Command Over Language Is An Asset' told through life of Kanhaiya Lal Misra. 

In this and next post, we will briefly talk about life sketch of Kanhaiya Lal Misra and what I heard about him in the corridors of the Allahabad High Court. 

In other tributes to KL Misra, different words for the same incident are used. However, they are equally, if not more praise worthy than my description. 

I have described them as I have heard in the corridors of the Allahabad High Court.

Command Over Language Is An Asset 

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General Taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।।  Has Rhetoric Any Place In Court?।। Ruling May Not Choke My Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।।

ONE SENTENCE CHANGED THE FATE

Summary: Command over language is an asset for a legal practitioner. It is explained, over seven part series, through life of Kanhaiya Lal Misra (31.08.1903 – 14.10.1975) - one of the greatest advocates of our country, who reined supreme in 1950s and 1960s. 

In the first part, two incidents related to him are narrated: one is by my father VKS Chaudhary and the other is by Vibhav Bhushan Mishra, both senior advocates and later adorned the post of Advocate General.

Command Over Language Is An Asset

One Sentence Changed The Fate।। Advocate General taught English To Me।। Misfortune of Being Opposed by KL Misra ।। Present Evolves Out Of The Past।। Has Rhetoric Any Place In Court?।। Ruling May Not Choke My Intelligence।। Well Read Person - Best Prepared For Law।।

SAME SEX MARRIAGE

Ardh-Narishwar courtesy - Wikipedia

What The Court Can And Should Do

Summary: This article argues in favour of same sex alliances and explains what may be done by the Constitutional bench in the cases, where judgement has been reserved. 

Sealed Cover Culture – Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

KC Agarwal J.

Summary: This post is about injustice caused by ‘Sealed Cover Culture’ at early stage of my career'; how I tried to remedy it, when I was a judge; and what is correct law in this regard.

How Should a Judge Be

Like the judge Bharti is.

A common theme in judicial academies across our country. This post is about this famous tale and how I heard it for the first time.

Another such popular fable is of King Solomon from Abrahamic ethos. It has been narrated here and here. 

Bharti presiding over the debate between Mandan Mishra and Adi Shankaracharya - Painting courtesey Smt. Indira Singh w/o Late Lt. Gen Vijai Singh, Retd. Vice Chief of Indian Army

India, Where Are You Heading To

Summary: This post is review of the book ‘I Was Judge's Orderly' written by  Ninder Ghugianvi and translated by Paramjit Singh Ramana (Publisher: National Book Trust).

The book has been translated into Hindi,Urdu, Bangla, Kannada, Telgu, Malyalam, Sindhi, Maithili and Bhojpuri.

LORDSHIP or LADYSHIP: Case for Gender Neutrality

Summary: This post is about adopting a gender neutral form of address in higher courts - explained by an anecdote from autobiography of John Paul Stevens J.