Thank you so much, sir, for your kind words. Moving towards another prestigious category, that is the SKOCH Challenger Award, and this year, with much honor and pride, we present this award to Justice U. U. Lalit, former Chief Justice of India.

I request, uh, Justice U. U. Lalit ji to kindly join us on the stage. It’s an absolute honor. I request Mr. Sameer Kochhar to present the SKOCH Challenger Award to Justice U. U. Lalit, a legal luminary with a distinguished career that has left an indelible mark on the Indian judiciary.

His judicial legacy includes landmark judgments, notably the ruling on the practice of instant triple talaq as void, illegal, and unconstitutional in 2017. Justice Lalit’s exceptional career, unwavering dedication to justice, and significant contributions have left an enduring impact on the Indian legal system.

Let’s have a huge round of applause once again, ladies and gentlemen, for Justice U. U. Lalit.

Former Chief Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Justice Chittatosh Mukherjee, who had joined us through virtual mode till a few minutes back, my esteemed colleague Justice Indira Banerjee, former judge of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sameer Kochhar—the man behind this entire movement and the award ceremonies—Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, former Additional Solicitor General, senior advocate, and a great parliamentarian, all the other esteemed members of the Bar, Justice Najmi Waziri, Justice, uh, Mr. Lakshmi Kumaran, everybody who is present here—this is to you.

It’s quite a humbling experience and a humbling moment to be given an award like this. I have spent more than 40 years in the field of law—first few years as an advocate, then the last, say, more than eight years as a judge of the court. After having completed two innings, now I have embarked on the third inning at O. P. Jindal Global University as a visiting professor under Professor Raj Kumar. So this is where I continue to be having touch with this legal profession or field of law.

I must say that this legal profession has given me everything. Whatever one could aspire for, whatever one could desire, it has given me great satisfaction. So, on a personal note, you always have that sense of satisfaction. But you know, when your efforts are acknowledged, when your efforts are appreciated by your peers, by the persons who belong to this field, it gives an additional incentive. It’s like dushyant yoga or sanskara, so that’s what I feel today—that having been given this award, it’s like appreciation which I certainly cherish.

And this is what I must say. Thank you so much. Thank you, SKOCH Awards. Thank you, everyone who is present here. Thanks a lot.

Thank you so much, sir, for your kind words. I request you to kindly be on the stage, uh, for a photograph. So, uh, I request Justice U. U. Lalit, and at the same time Shri Abhishek Manu Singhvi, to kindly join us once again on the stage so that we can have a group photograph with you.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s capture this beautiful and memorable moment all together.

Participants at the India Law Forum - Intersection of Law & Life