Success in law requires resilience, adaptability, guidance: Justice Hima Kohli at BITS Law Foundation Day

The legal profession offers an array of opportunities, but success in this arena requires resilience, observed former Supreme Court judge, retired Justice Hima Kohli recently while speaking at BITS Law School's second Foundation Day celebrations.

She also encouraged more women to join the legal profession, noting that over half of those who join the judicial services are now women.

She spoke on the evolving role of women in the legal profession. She emphasised the importance of early court exposure, perseverance in litigation, and the increasing opportunities for women in law.

“Women are now joining the judiciary at the first levels, not just at the higher judicial level, and in many states, they make up more than 50 per cent of the judicial service. The legal profession today offers a broader spectrum of opportunities, but success in this field requires resilience, adaptability, and the right guidance. Aspiring practitioners must gain a well-rounded experience before choosing a specialisation, remain open to learning, embrace challenges, and build a strong foundation to thrive in this profession," she said.

The second Foundation Day of BITS Law School, under the aegis of BITS Pilani, was celebrated at its Mumbai campus. The celebrations commenced with an inaugural address by the Dean, followed by Justice Kohli's address.

The two-day event brought several legal professionals, academics, and media figures, including Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari, and film director Anubhav Sinha, who discussed key socio-legal issues.

Day 1 concluded with an inaugural lecture on 'Pillars of Democracy' by President and Co-Founder of PRS Legislative Research, New Delhi, Dr MR Madhavan. The session featured insightful discussions, encouraging dialogue on strengthening democratic principles and addressing contemporary challenges.

Reflecting on the role of legal professionals and citizens in a democracy, Dr Madhavan stated,

“Parliament is where laws are made, but its true strength lies in accountability. The power of democracy does not rest with institutions alone, it depends on citizens who engage, question, and demand better. As future legal professionals, your role is not just to interpret laws but to ensure they serve the people, uphold justice, and strengthen democratic values. Governance is only as strong as the scrutiny it faces.”

On the second day, the event featured the second 'Rule of Law Lecture' by Senior Advocate and Executive Director of the Centre for Law & Policy Research, Jayna Kothari, where she explored the evolving intersections of law, policy, and social justice in India.

This was followed by Law and Entertainment: A Fireside Chat Series, featuring a panel discussion on the portrayal of gender and caste-based discrimination with film director Anubhav Sinha (Article 15, Thappad, Mulk, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack), screenwriter Mrunmayee Lagoo (writer of Thappad), and screenwriter Gaurav Solanki (co-writer of Article 15).

The discussion highlighted the power of storytelling in challenging deep-rooted societal biases and shaping public discourse around justice and equality.

Reflecting on the nobility of the legal profession and its role in shaping society, Founding Dean, BITS Law School Prof (Dr) Ashish Bhardwaj added,

“In law, as in life, true progress lies in our ability to question, adapt, and uphold justice with unwavering integrity. As we celebrate this day, let us remember that the pursuit of legal knowledge is not merely an academic endeavour but a profound responsibility to shape a more equitable and inclusive society. At BITSLAW, we are committed to fostering this vision through innovative legal education that prepares our students to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.”

About BITS Law

BITS Law School, Mumbai was set up under the aegis of BITS Pilani (backed by the Aditya Birla Group and recognised by the UGC as an Institution of Eminence). Its vision is geared towards becoming an inspirational benchmark for new-age, multidisciplinary legal education and research in India with creativity and empathy.

BITSLAW offers legal knowledge, practical training, and holistic education to produce legal professionals who will be passionate to create a more fair, just, and inclusive society.

It aims to instil among its students, an appreciation of the constitutional principles and the rule of law. BITS Law School is approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and offers two five-year integrated full-time residential programmes – BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons.)

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