Sharap Pencho Bhutia is a law graduate from Sikkim Government Law College, Lower Burtuk, Gangtok, completing his degree in 2024. His decision to pursue law was shaped by his upbringing in a rural village where he repeatedly witnessed people struggling because they were unaware of their rights or how to seek legal support.
Growing up, he observed situations where community members felt helpless in the face of unfair treatment simply because they lacked legal knowledge or confidence. These experiences created a strong sense of responsibility and motivated him to study law so he could support people in similar situations.
Several experiences shaped his academic journey, including school-level exposure to social studies and fairness-based discussions, as well as later participation in moot court competitions and internships. A key milestone in his development was completing Para Legal Volunteer (PLV) training, which strengthened his communication skills and helped him engage with people seeking legal understanding and assistance.
Sharap’s path has included challenges such as limited access to guidance and learning resources during his early education. Balancing personal responsibilities with academic demands required persistence and self-direction. Despite these difficulties, he remained focused on his goals and sees those challenges as building blocks of resilience and independence.
Through the fellowship, he hopes to strengthen his advocacy skills, build confidence in communication, and deepen his understanding of litigation practice. He aims to contribute toward legal awareness, especially among individuals from rural or under-resourced backgrounds.
In the long term, Sharap envisions guiding students from similar backgrounds, supporting their aspirations, and helping create greater access to legal understanding and justice within rural communities.
