The IDIA movement recently celebrated its 5th Anniversary with a ‘legal education’ conference on 2nd October at the National Law University (NLU) Delhi and a fun filled awards ceremony on the evening of 3rd October, at the Delhi Flying Club, Safdarjung Airport.
Our first event, the 2nd Annual ‘Legal Education’ conference on ‘Gandhi and the IDIA of law: Creating CHAMPS’, was organized in association with the Chair of Professional Ethics, NLU Delhi. The theme was chosen keeping in mind the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. We were joined by various distinguished panelists consisting of current and former judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts, practicing lawyers, academicians, luminaries from the industry and social sector, along with IDIA scholars and volunteers, in discussing the following core attributes of a lawyer that we hope to inculcate in our IDIA scholars and volunteers, as well as tracing these attributes in the life and legal career of Gandhi:
1. Creativity
2. Holistic
3. Altruism
4. Antifragility
5. Maverick
6. Morality
7. Problem Solving
Justice Zakeria Yacoob (renowned jurist and former judge of the South African constitutional court) gave an inspirational and motivating keynote speech to commence the conference, in which he encouraged us to keep striving towards becoming better human beings. This was followed by five separate panel discussions, all of which proved to be extremely insightful and simulating in their own ways, as our distinguished speakers drew from their own experiences as well as their research on the life and legal career of Gandhi to shed light on various traits of the elusive, ideal law practitioner. One of the highlights of the day was the participation by some of the IDIA Champs (IDIA scholars and volunteers) in the panels as speakers; they shared their own stories and experiences of overcoming various adversities to fulfill their dreams. It was a stirring and eye-opening experience to learn and interact with the IDIA Champs, and indeed, with everyone from our glittering speakers list.
On the next day, we all gathered for our Second Annual Awards Ceremony, organized in association with Bang & Olufsen and Rainmaker. The evening began with a keynote address by Padma Shri Dr. N.R. Madhava Menon, who encouraged and inspired us with his kind words and insights. This was followed by equally heart-felt words of wisdom from some of our other guests on the dais, Justice Leila Seth, Justice Yacoob, Dr. M.P. Singh, Dr. Krishna Deva Rao and Dr. G.S. Bajpai. We then had our guests felicitate our top-performing scholars and student volunteers, as well as our biggest supporters and partners. To conclude the show, some of our IDIA scholars enthralled everyone with performances that showcased their talents in voice-modulation, dancing and poetry recitation. This was followed by dinner and refreshments, during which time our students and scholars mingled with our guests that included leading lawyers, judges, academics, and representatives from the industry and social sector.
The third day, October 4th, was reserved for various informal interactive and brainstorming sessions involving key stakeholders that have bound the growing IDIA family of volunteers, scholars and team leaders even closer together. They have also provided us with valuable lessons and information that will further strengthen and help IDIA evolve.
The IDIA movement has grown tremendously in the last five years and the overwhelming love and support received on these three days was truly inspiring. IDIA would like to thank its distinguished guests, supporters, IDIA scholars and students, team leaders and the wonderful volunteer team from NLU Delhi that made this event a huge success. We hope to keep the momentum and spirit of past few days going through the continued support of our volunteers, team leaders, scholars and supporters.
We look forward to the continued support of our well-wishers over the next several years, and hope to see you all again next year!!
For more information on the events, keep watching this space and follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/idialaw?fref=nf for content from IDIA’s 5th Anniversary celebrations.
We will come out with a report for the legal education conference, as well as a complete list of awardees from our awards ceremony, soon!
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Written by Vineet Bhalla, Assistant Director, IDIA