1) Sir, please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello Viewers, I am just a student of law and by a student, I mean a person who is learning law every day.
I was born and brought up in Ranchi Jharkhand and did my schooling from St Anthony School, Ranchi subsequently 12th from DAV Hehal, Ranchi, and thereafter shifted to Pune to study law.
I passed out from Symbiosis Law College in 2004 and have also completed my masters. I've been practicing in Jharkhand High Court and other courts/tribunals for the past more than 15 years and have been appointed as amicus in a number of matters. Recently I've been given the responsibility of Additional Advocate General of Jharkhand and with all of your good wishes, I hope to have a good impact in this society.
2) Please tell us about your law school experience.
What important lessons does one learn in law school which helps him/her in professional career?
Like any student, the importance of studies is to be experienced. Symbiosis gave us not only all bookish knowledge but also a good range of exposures. We had interactions with legal luminaries honorable judges and regular seminars were conducted. We have to strike a balance between what is is correct for the present and what is important for the future. One should specifically take on moot court activities if possible from the first or second year itself and at least go through Supreme Court judgements on a weekly basis this is one of the most important things which I have learned doing my college days.
3) Please tell us about your internship experiences and what type of internships one is required to do if he/she wants to excel in litigation?
Internship many times comes with a choice many times there is no choice. Whether you do an internship under the corporate sector, law firm, or an advocate make sure you dedicate yourself. I did my internship under the corporates, law firms, and advocates and tried to make a balance between my college life as also the internship.
You need to make sure you give your best. It's not for your organisation but for your future you.
4) How significant are moots for a law student who wants to step in the field of litigation and how different moots are from actual courtroom practices?
As stated above Moot Court activities are one of the essential requirements which any student of law should participate in from the initial days of his college life. A devoted participation will give you a thorough insight of the court room melodrama, brief preparation, research work, making arguments, etc. Obviously, this is just a Moot Court, so there's a vast difference between Moot Court and the actual Court Room.
One needs to experience it to understand that hypothetical situations are different from real situations and the need to respond instantly.
5) From completing your B.S.L. LL.B. in 2004 to becoming the youngest Additional Advocate General of Jharkhand is a big success.
Please enlighten us about this journey of yours?
Every journey has its own ups and downs. I remember the college days my friends were partying and I was routinely logged in the library. Even after joining the bar, I ensured to reach court at 10.15 and leave at 4:30. I spent the most time in the library or inside the courtroom trying to grasp about the matters, learning from the experiences/arguments of senior advocates and judges. The point is you need to slog at the right time and believe me there is a crowd at the initial level but once you keep climbing there are vacant spaces at the top.
6) Please tell us something about the Additional Advocate General of a state.
What are your job responsibilities as an Additional Advocate General of Jharkhand?
The post of Additional Advocate General is literally the second topmost Law officer post in the State Government. The higher the post the responsibility keeps mounting. For all these years I have been fighting litigations against the State Government. Now I need to balance the interest of the common man as also the State Government. Obviously, we are a welfare state so the interest of people is of paramount importance. Any judicial pronouncement has to be there keeping in mind that it has various ramifications and hence as a law officer of the State Government as also an Officer of the Court, it is my duty to assist the court in rendering a good judgement.
It is always believed that the government machineries are slow. During my present interactions with government departments in the past nearly three months, I found that they are not slow, but they have to comply with procedural requirements. With the correct attitude and zeal to work, the procedures get accomplished and work done.
7) As it is said, the life of a lawyer is like a Chinese Bamboo Plant, wherein the initial years very little growth is visible. But after a considerable period of time of around 7-10 years growth is exponential and the sky is the limit.
How similar or different was your experience as a lawyer?
Definitely comparing oneself to Chinese bamboo plant may be thought of but this is not correct. Chinese bamboo plants don't have deep roots but in the legal profession, you have to have deep roots of legal acumen. The sky is the limit and as you start climbing the crowd gets withering away. Keep your head down and keep doing the work.
8) What are the skills which are required to excel in the career as a lawyer in India?
For a good lawyer, you need to have dedication, knowledge, good caliber to grasp, and high responsiveness. One should always have good research work. A good lawyer should know the importance of promptness in work and should adhere to it.
9) Thank you for talking with us.
Please conclude this interview with a message you would like to convey to law students who will be putting their foot in litigation.
It's always my pleasure to interact with the learners of law and myself being a learner I know the pain which one goes through at the initial days. If you intend to make your mark you need to focus and keep performing.
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