Exactly two weeks after getting a new campus the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) held its third Annual Convocation at the new campus in Atalika Avenue, Koba, Gandhinagar on January 21, 2012. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest for the ceremony and Justice Anil R. Dave of the Supreme Court presided over the ceremony. Also present was the Minister of State for Law & Justice, Pradeepsinh Jadeja who was the Guest of Honour.

The function was flagged off at 4:00 p.m. with the reciting of the GNLU song. Following this the Director of GNLU, Bimal N. Patel rendered the welcome address and presented the GNLU’s Annual Report wherein he recounted the various achievements of GNLU in the past year.

Degrees were conferred to the hundred and fifty-six students who formed the Undergradaute Class of 2011 including those who had pursued B.A. LL.B.(Hons.), B.Com. LL.B. (Hons.), B.Sc. LL.B.(Hons.). Degrees were also conferred to two Post Graduate students and four Diploma students. Garud Mandhata of LL.M. batch bagged 2 Gold medals. Sushant Chandra of B.A. LL.B.(Hons.) course stood out, winning 7 gold medals in different subjects. Sushant also won the Best Alumni Award for Academics while Best Alumni award for Contribution to GNLU was shared by Debdatta Dobe and Sanjay Khan. Debdatta Dobe, also won the Best Overall Performance Award in five years, along with 4 other gold Medals in different law subjects.

In his address, Justice Dave told the graduating students that they were about to enter an extremely important phase of their lives and that they should always continue to pursue the quest for knowledge. One must be a student forever, opined Justice Dave, for learned people are respected everywhere.

Chief Minister Modi (pictured right below) told the students that they had the potential to succeed in whatever field they choose. He spoke on the crucial role that lawyers have played in India right from the British period. He also said the moments that a student spends in his college life can be the best part of his life where there will always be someone to guide him.

The Report on GNLU's partnership with the Gujarat High Court, the State District Courts and PSUs such as GIDC and GUVNL was also announced at the Convocation. The Convocation ceremony concluded with the recital of the National Anthem, followed by the alumni meet.

(Inputs and photos courtesy Nikhil Varshney)