I was keen on joining active politics but destiny had other plans: CJI NV Ramana

Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said on Saturday that he was keen on joining politics during his days as a lawyer but destiny set him on a career path to become a judge..The CJI reminisced his journey from the Bar to the Bench, highlighting how accepting judgeship would mean one has to make many sacrifices."I was born in a village into an agricultural family and English was introduced in 7th class. After Bsc, My father encouraged me to study law. Then I practiced at magistrate court in Vijayawada. Once again encouraged by my father, I moved to Hyderabad to practice before the Andhra Pradesh High Court. By that time, I had received offer for judgeship. I was practicing in Taluka court to Supreme Court. I was also appointed Additional Advocate General of Andhra Pradesh. I was keen on joining active politics. But destiny had planned otherwise," he recounted his journey.The decision to give up something for which I had worked so hard was not easy at all, he added..He was delivering the inaugural ‘Justice SB Sinha Memorial Lecture’ on the topic “Life of a Judge”, organised by National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi..Regarding the difficulties faced by judges, he said one major fallout was that a judge would have to give up his social connections built over the years."The journey from bar to bench is often not natural. Over the years, I had built career and life around the people. I knew while moving from bar to bench one has to give up the social connections," he said..When false narratives are created about the supposed easy life led by judges, it is difficult to swallow.CJI NV Ramana.He also lamented how false narratives are peddled that judges lead "easy lives". "When false narratives are created about the supposed easy life led by judges, it is difficult to swallow," he said.In this regard, he explained the amount of hard work a judge has to put in. "A person who has no connection with the profession cannot even imagine the number of hours that go into preparation. We spend many hours reading the paper-books and making notes for matters listed the next day. Preparation for the next day begins soon after the court rises, and will go on beyond midnight on most days. We continue to work even during weekends and court holidays to do research and author pending judgments. In this process, we miss out on many joys of our lives. Sometimes, we miss out on important family events," he said. At times, I wonder if my grandchildren would recognise me at all after failing to see them for days together, he added..[Read live coverage of the even below]