CJI alarmed at increased number of youth falling prey to drugs

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

Expressed serious concern over youngsters getting addicted to drugs, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Sunday urged them to disassociate themselves from substance abuse.

Addressing the 18th annual Convocation of the NALSAR University, Hyderabad, CJI Ramana said, “Much water has flowed in rivers Krishna and Godavari since my graduation four decades ago. We have seen unthinkable advances in every sphere of our lives and learning. Unfortunately, new vices have also made their way into the lives of youth.”

The CJI said, “I am alarmed at the reports of increased number of youth falling prey to intoxicants. I would urge the youth of today, to disassociate themselves from substance abuse. Your mental and physical health is in your hands. A vibrant nation is built upon the health and energy of its youth.”

Maintaining that students cannot afford to be disillusioned, the CJI said, ‘It’s imperative for you to be a part of current debates. Do not stop at just raising questions. Also ask yourself what the remedy can be. Being the future of the nation, you must have a clear vision.

“Being the guardians of freedom, justice, equality and ethics, you cannot allow narrow and partisan views to dominate the nation’s thought. Students are known for their readiness to fight for all the right causes because their thoughts are pure and honest,” Justice Ramana told the law students.

Asking them to be in the forefront to question injustice, he said, “We need leaders for tomorrow to rise from these grounds.”

The CJI said, “I find that very few students who graduate from National Law Schools are interested in joining litigation or taking up public causes, let alone practice at the district level.”

Noting that “there is a fascination to only practice before the Supreme Court and

High Court while completely ignoring the importance of trial courts,” he said, “To succeed at trial advocacy, one requires a separate skill set, wherein the requirement of presence of mind and intellectual inputs is immense.

“Moreover, considering the highest pendency before the trial courts, there is both a demand and the need for specialized lawyers. I urge you all to consider gaining experience at trial court level before moving on to practice at higher forums such as High Courts and the Supreme Court,” the CJI said.