Active contribution through social work is the bedrock of citizenship: Justice BV Nagarathna at NLU Delhi Convocation

The National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) celebrated its 11th convocation on September 14, 2024. The convocation ceremony conferred degrees to 155 students across the Ph.D, LL.M, and B.A,LL.B (Hons.) programs. .The event witnessed the presence of Supreme Court judge, Justice BV Nagarathna who delivered the convocation address; Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and Chancellor of NLU Delhi, Justice Manmohan; Delhi High Court judge, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh and the Minister of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, Atishi Marlena Singh..In her address, Justice Nagarathna emphasized the importance of 'constructive citizenship', a concept promoted by freedom fighter Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. Justice Nagarathna said that bonds between people built on personal or local relationships, including active contributions to society through social work, should form the bedrock of citizenship. Recounting Dr. BR Ambedkar’s closing speech in the Constituent Assembly, Justice Nagarathna said that the seminal contributions lawyers could make as constructive citizens was the propagation of constitutional methods to bring about social change. The Constitution was neither the product nor the exclusive domain of "Lutyens Delhi" but included the unheard perspective of every crossroad of this country, said Justice Nagarathna. She also highlighted the lack of gender diversity among High Court judges, enrolled lawyers, and law firms. She observed that women are often forced out of the legal profession due to demands on them in personal and professional spheres. She said that they represent missed opportunities, unheard voices and lost perspectives within our legal systems. .Vice-Chancellor Professor GS Bajpai gave an account of the impressive academic achievements of students and faculty, and the expanded education equity measures and internationalization efforts.Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Manmohan concluded the ceremony by conferring the degrees to the 155 students across the streams.In addition, 29 medals and 5 cash prizes were presented to the outstanding achievers. Labdhi Golechha from the BA LLB (Hons.) won six gold medals and two cash prizes across different subjects and was also declared the Best Student of the Year.