The Journalists: Dr. Aditya Tomar & Dr. Sumitra Singh, Amity Law School Noida

The Journalists is a deeper look at the journals published by law schools around the country.

In this edition, we take a look at the team behind the Amity International Journal on Law and Social Sciences and the Amity International Journal on Law and Allied Areas published by Amity Law School, Noida.

Campus Ambassador Ashwin Gupta conducts this interview with two members of the editorial board: Dr. Aditya Tomar and Dr. Sumitra Singh.

How did you get the idea of starting the journal and what is the benefit of publishing your paper in this journal?

Prof Dr. Aditya Tomar:

Amity Law School has contributed towards the growth and development of its children ever since its inception. Our motto is clear, at the end of the day, students should be at the gaining end of the bargain.

The idea behind this journal is to bring law students on the same platform to answer their intriguing questions which go beyond general knowledge. Needless to say, the mind of law students and their desire to know more, beyond their curriculum was the major inspiration behind this journal.

To answer your second question specifically, Managed by the members of our faculty, AIJS is a journal which is published annually and our goal is simple, "to serve as an important legal forum for any relevant issue today".

Basically, our attempt is to provide an appropriate research reference for students, jurists, teachers, scholars, academicians.

I am going to emphasize more on the part that this journal deals with laws which are yet evolving in the country by focusing on various contemporary developments in the legal field, which makes it different from other journals in the country..

How do you perceive the future of student-run magazines in India?

Dr. Sumitra Singh: I believe student run magazines are the way forward. The youth builds the nation and this is our way of contributing. It is the flair that you pick up as part of educational institutes that guide your way forward.

It is essential that the students have the freedom to express their opinions and expectations. The youth today is going to inherit the big publications tomorrow. It’s essential they have enough practice and experience.

Because of the pandemic, we have recently started paying more attention to the social media aspect of the society. What is your take on using social media to broaden our audience?

Dr. Sumitra Singh: I believe that with the progression of time and considering the change of implementation of programs due to the pandemic, the society should focus more on broadening the audience on social media markets. The vision for the society is to increase the awareness of literature and law and target an audience that is seeking to increase their knowledge of both of those fields.

Keeping this in mind, partnering with other magazines might help strengthen our reach in the virtual world. In terms of changes that the society may go through in order to broaden its vision, a strategy must be implemented with new ideas being their catalyst. Changes may also in the form of the display of new forms of writing, using the platform to promote new concepts. Everyone who is part of the society should have a role to play and a certain responsibility towards the society.

Needless to say COVID posed a direct challenge in front of the education system. What is Amity Law School’s story? Do you have a message for the faculty?

Prof. Dr. Aditya Tomar: Life always begins with one step outside your comfort zone. The ALSN has always strived for the best irrespective of circumstances. When the pandemic struck, we were prepared for the worst.

Our students were spared academic losses due to our effective planning. Our online classes have been impeccable, and we have successfully remodelled our pedagogy to suit off-campus teaching.

The faculty has been extremely supportive throughout the journey. They have the pillars through which I have drawn strength to build this platform and publish the journal. The entire idea behind this journal is the endeavor of strengthening and facilitating legal ease for law in India.

Keeping the pandemic in mind, I am extremely proud that our faculty has promoted this idea and helped me understand the depth of the message this journal provides to all those in the legal community. Kudos to our teachers!

What is the theme of both of your published magazines? How do they project the ideals of The Elysian?

Dr. Sumitra Singh: The Elysian has been able to publish two successful magazines. The first edition comprised the beautiful works of students all over the city and some from our University as well. It introduced our conveners, literary editor and all the other people who made a contribution to make the magazine get to take the form it is today. It includes a few legal articles, prose and poetry from all the wonderful minds of today's generation.

Legaltaire was the second magazine published by The Elysian. It broadly presented a comparison between law and literature. It is a challenge being a literature club amongst the prominent clubs related to law. So, The Elysian brought in the idea of showcasing the parallel between law and literature, along with some out-of-the box legal perspective on the current legal issues.

Both the magazines portray the ideas of growth and modern perspective amongst the youth. They clearly put forth a platform for the voice of the youth, which is indeed the ideal of The Elysian.

Do you think it is necessary for students to study both literature and law to develop an understanding of the society?

Dr. Sumitra Singh: No, it is not necessary for students to do so. Literature and law are similar fields in many ways. One of them being that both are based on the basic understanding of right and wrong and human nature.

Literature develops itself from concept of what humans would do, while law develops it on the basis of ethics and humanity. Both of these fields require a basic understanding of humans much more than a scientific depth.

Lastly, How is ALS going to incorporate the journal into the curriculum?

Prof. Dr. Aditya Tomar: We draft our journal in a way to make it the quintessential handbook of all law students. It is informative and enriching. A law student’s top-most priority must be to keep themselves abreast and updated, our journal facilitates this. It encompasses a range of commentaries, articles and research papers by top-notch jurists and budding legal stalwarts alike.

This journal will aid the basic understanding of the legal aspects for all the law students of ALS. We aim to provide this journal as a reference to grasp the legal concepts in a more efficient way.

Lastly, I would emphasize this as law students, it is important to write research papers and engage in moot courts, so this journal will bring perspectives of well-known legal intellectuals to help them make their work better.