Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has recalled his tenure of two years with contentment and satisfaction.
Addressing the convocation ceremony of JSW School of Law in Bhutan on Tuesday, the CJI said that in the past two years, he has woken up every morning with a commitment to give the job his fullest and gone to bed with the satisfaction that he served his country with utmost dedication.
Justice Chandrachud took up the highest position in the Indian judiciary on November 9, 2022. The 50th Chief Justice of India is scheduled to demit office on November 10, 2024.
Speaking about the anxieties that often accompanied such a prominent role, the CJI said he constantly grappled with thoughts on his legacy and how history would judge his contributions.
Though the answers to most of these questions laid beyond his control, he said he found solace in knowing that he consistently gave his best, regardless of the outcome.
The CJI highlighted the value of self-reflection and personal growth, advising the graduates to focus on the journey rather than the destination, and pursue purpose over ambition.
He further spoke over cultural preservation, encouraging the students to recognise and honour the traditional values that have been foundational to societies like India and Bhutan.
Noting that cultural values did not conflict with democratic ideals but rather enhanced them, he observed that people should come out of the misconceived perception that traditional values of communities were antithetical to modern democratic ideas such as liberty, equality, and dissent.
The CJI mentioned the ideas of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, stating that India’s historical legacy of public debate, intellectual pluralism and community-based dispute resolution have enriched and strengthened the modern governance.
He hailed Bhutan’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, noting that the country’s constitution enshrined the principle of environmental stewardship as a fundamental duty.
The JSW School of Law’s forthcoming LLM program in Climate Change and Environment Law was set to play a pivotal role in training environmentally conscious lawyers in the region, he added.
The CJI said there was no better place to study climate change and environmental law than a carbon-negative country that has lived and breathed the values of sustainability and environmentalism since its inception.
He underscored the urgent need for India to adopt similar commitments as it faced a climate crisis exacerbated by rapid economic growth.
The CJI urged the students to wield the law as a tool for positive change, beyond the narrow confines of litigation.
He further reflected on iconic global struggles, such as the fight against apartheid and the civil rights movement, stressing on the role of passionate, principled individuals in challenging injustice.
He said the law possessed immense potential as a vehicle for transformative societal change, encouraging the students to remember the idealism of their youth and harness it in the service of others.
The CJI quoted renowned author Toni Morrison, saying “If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else”.
Bhutan princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and Bhutan’s Chief Justice Lyonpo Chogyal Dago Rigdzin, along with other dignitaries and students attended the event.