Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai celebrated its First Convocation Ceremony on 2 July, 2022 at the coveted Maharashtra Judicial Academy, Uttan. 202 students were awarded degrees on the day.
Justice DY Chandrachud, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Chancellor of the University, Justice BV Nagarathna, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Member of General Council of the University, Justice Dipankar Datta, Chief Justice, High Court of Bombay and Pro-Chancellor of the University, Justice Nitin Jamdar, Judge High Court of Bombay and Member of the General Council and Justice Bharati Dangre, Judge, High Court of Bombay, and Member, General Council and Executive Council of the University were present on the occasion along with other judges of the High Court, High Court registry officers, judicial officers, government officials and others.
Prof (Dr) Dilip Ukey, Vice Chancellor of the University, in his welcome address, called upon the students to fight for the social cause, fight against injustice and inculcate in themselves the values of humanism. He advised them to face life with a strong will and beautiful smile. He also highlighted the achievements of the university and the developments which have led to high preference and ranking of the university by the applicants nationally.
Justice Dipankar Datta emphasised on the academic profession and said that nothing can be more satisfying than to become a guru. The judge told the students that however academically brilliant they may be, never to carry an impression that they were omniscient.
The struggles in life which you face today will develop the strength you need tomorrow, he explained.
He cautioned to exercise their Article 19 (1) rights wisely and advised them to take this graduation as a launching pad to promote goodwill and national interest.
Justice DY Chandrachud congratulated the university for excelling as a centre for excellence within a short span of time. He advised that each one of us should inculcate and cultivate in ourselves, a sense of constitutional morality, starting from our home.
Fraternity is important for structuring our democracy to recognize and accept the plurality of people, he said. The judge stressed on living life imbibing constitutional values. Devoting one’s live to social justice and rights litigation is a remarkable way to promote the values of our constitution, he stated. He advised students to take up pro bono work and work for the marginalised, even if they were working high-paying jobs.
Justice Chandrachud also emphasised on gender sensitization and equal opportunity. He recommended that the students look at life beyond the information bubble; explore what was being fed to them and learn to live their own experiences and learn from others’ experiences.
He hoped that the students would come up with innumerable and creative ways to work the constitution.
This convocation was a long awaited convocation as it couldn’t be conducted for the past two years due to the pandemic.