Three nuns and a former registrar of the Supreme Court of India were among the law graduates who were enrolled as lawyers here on Sunday.
Sr. Shelfi Davis of the Franciscian Clarist Congregation of the Ernakulam Province, Sr. K.V. Janet of Alapuzha and Sr. K.M. Sherly of Kalpetta were the nuns who were enrolled as lawyers. T. Sivadas was the former Registrar of the apex court who decided to pursue a career as a lawyer. Ambika, daughter of K.T. Sankaran, a judge of the High Court of Kerala and the chief guest of the enrolment ceremony held on Sunday, received the enrolment certificate from her father.
In his address, Mr. Sankaran urged the young lawyers to strive hard for regaining the lost glory of the profession. There was a time when lawyers commanded respect from the society. Lawyers played a key role in the Independence movement and the drafting of the constitution and related areas in the post-independence period. The society respected the lawyers for their social contributions, he said.
However, it’s not the case with the present day society and lawyers. The Bar needs to undertake measures for repairing the damage and to regain the respect of the society. Efforts for regaining the nobility of the profession should also be undertaken. The lawyers also have the responsibility to serve the people and the needy sections of the society, Mr. Sankaran said.
The role of the lawyers does not end with arguing the case of their clients in court rooms. They also have a responsibility to promote and support law reforms in the country. In India, only lawyers have the permission to practise law and appear before any court or tribunal or any other forum where a case is decided. The lawyers are considered as privileged members of the society, he said.
Over 200 law graduates entered the profession at the enrolment ceremony.
K. Jayarajan, chairman of the Bar Council of Kerala, presided. He also administrated the oath to the law graduates.
Mr. Sankaran distributed the certificates to the lawyers. K.N. Anilkumar of the Enrolment Committee of the Council and M. Ramankutty, another member of the committee, proposed a vote of thanks.
