The lawyers who thronged the Bar lounge in the basement of the Supreme Court today were in for a special evening..They were not only privy to the felicitation of two doyens at the Bar – Ram Jethmalani and K Parasaran – but also captivating speeches by the two nonagenarians..The function was organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to celebrate Jethmalani completing 75 years at the Bar and Parasaran turning 90 years old. Though initially scheduled to be held in the Supreme Court lawns, the function had to be shifted to the Bar lounge due to rains..The function was attended by Supreme Court judges including Chief Justice TS Thakur and a host of Senior Advocates. SCBA Secretary Gaurav Bhatia and Vice President Ajit Kumar Sinha were also present..The ceremony began with speeches by SCBA Vice President Ajit Kumar Sinha and Senior Advocate Ashok Desai..Subsequently, both Parasaran and Jethmalani enchanted the audience with their talks..Parasaran’s speech was largely about Jethmalani, whom he described as the best lawyer in India on Evidence Act..“It is a privilege to share the stage with Jethmalani. I have never come across a lawyer in the country with such knowledge about Evidence Act”, said Parasaran..Jethmalani was his usual self, trudging to the dais with the inimitable grin. His speech captivated the audience in the lounge, which had by then become choc- a-bloc with lawyers..He spoke about how he entered the profession despite his father discouraging him..“My grandfather was a very successful lawyer but my father was equally unsuccessful”, he said before narrating the story of Shoshanna and Daniel which inspired him to take up law..He also had some words of praise for the judiciary and the Supreme Court, which he termed as singularly responsible for the survival of Indian democracy..“Despite the odd pitfalls, of all the public institutions in the country, our judges are the best. If democracy has survived in India, it is because of the judiciary, Supreme Court”, he said amidst loud applause..He ended his speech on a lighter note. Referring to the speech by Senior Advocate Ashok Desai, he said that,.“Thankfully Ashok Desai did not reveal the secret of my youth. It has been quite colourful and I am not ashamed of it.”.CJI Thakur then addressed the audience. He urged the SCBA to conduct periodic lectures by the two lawyers.“If you give them a particular subject and ask them to speak on it, you will get to know the depth of their knowledge. It will also benefit the Bar immensely. That would be the true felicitation to these two lawyers”, he said..His comparison of the two contrasting personalities sent the audience into raptures..“What Jethmalani enjoys in the evening, Parasaran avoids all day. While Parasaran starts his morning with prayers and would even have his car go around temple when coming to court, Jethmalani enjoys all the beautiful things in life. After retirement I am considering adopting a bit of both”, he said amidst peals of laughter..Read the full interviews of Ram Jethmalani and K Parasaran.
The lawyers who thronged the Bar lounge in the basement of the Supreme Court today were in for a special evening..They were not only privy to the felicitation of two doyens at the Bar – Ram Jethmalani and K Parasaran – but also captivating speeches by the two nonagenarians..The function was organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to celebrate Jethmalani completing 75 years at the Bar and Parasaran turning 90 years old. Though initially scheduled to be held in the Supreme Court lawns, the function had to be shifted to the Bar lounge due to rains..The function was attended by Supreme Court judges including Chief Justice TS Thakur and a host of Senior Advocates. SCBA Secretary Gaurav Bhatia and Vice President Ajit Kumar Sinha were also present..The ceremony began with speeches by SCBA Vice President Ajit Kumar Sinha and Senior Advocate Ashok Desai..Subsequently, both Parasaran and Jethmalani enchanted the audience with their talks..Parasaran’s speech was largely about Jethmalani, whom he described as the best lawyer in India on Evidence Act..“It is a privilege to share the stage with Jethmalani. I have never come across a lawyer in the country with such knowledge about Evidence Act”, said Parasaran..Jethmalani was his usual self, trudging to the dais with the inimitable grin. His speech captivated the audience in the lounge, which had by then become choc- a-bloc with lawyers..He spoke about how he entered the profession despite his father discouraging him..“My grandfather was a very successful lawyer but my father was equally unsuccessful”, he said before narrating the story of Shoshanna and Daniel which inspired him to take up law..He also had some words of praise for the judiciary and the Supreme Court, which he termed as singularly responsible for the survival of Indian democracy..“Despite the odd pitfalls, of all the public institutions in the country, our judges are the best. If democracy has survived in India, it is because of the judiciary, Supreme Court”, he said amidst loud applause..He ended his speech on a lighter note. Referring to the speech by Senior Advocate Ashok Desai, he said that,.“Thankfully Ashok Desai did not reveal the secret of my youth. It has been quite colourful and I am not ashamed of it.”.CJI Thakur then addressed the audience. He urged the SCBA to conduct periodic lectures by the two lawyers.“If you give them a particular subject and ask them to speak on it, you will get to know the depth of their knowledge. It will also benefit the Bar immensely. That would be the true felicitation to these two lawyers”, he said..His comparison of the two contrasting personalities sent the audience into raptures..“What Jethmalani enjoys in the evening, Parasaran avoids all day. While Parasaran starts his morning with prayers and would even have his car go around temple when coming to court, Jethmalani enjoys all the beautiful things in life. After retirement I am considering adopting a bit of both”, he said amidst peals of laughter..Read the full interviews of Ram Jethmalani and K Parasaran.
