Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Saturday, 4 August, asked budding lawyers and judges not to get swayed away by infighting and distractions that come their way and suggested them to deal with such situations courageously.
He was addressing law students at the sixth convocation of the National Law University in Delhi.
He said it was important for budding lawyers to familiarise themselves with the undercurrents of various social diversities and disparities that divide society.
The CJI said the "welfare of people is the supreme law" and hoped that the newcomers would move up the scale of their profession by taking deprived sections of society along.
"You are the crusaders for change in the drive towards equal rights, liberty and justice. You are going to be contributors to the process of imparting justice to the people at large. Always devote some time in your capacity as lawyers for the well being of the underprivilege...Welfare of the people is the supreme law,” he said.
"Scaling up in your profession by taking deprived sections of society along with you will give a sense of satisfaction... which will be a far more greater achievement," the CJI said.
"You should cultivate the quality of clarity of thought and intellectual vigour. These are primary qualities that budding lawyers must strive to attain," he said.
The CJI also said that while witnessing the conferment of awards during the convocation, he was "slightly perplexed by how the young minds have worked".
"If you look at history, John Keats died at the age of 26 and who can forget his poems. Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment at 26, Mahavir Jain approximately at 25 plus, Shankaracharya, who had written so much, died at 32. The great poet Lord Byron died at 36.
"So, age does not matter. The young can teach the old. I am prepared to be taught by the degree holders today," he said.
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