The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the first convocation of National Law University Delhi (NLUD) at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi today (June 15, 2013).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said Graduates from NLUD must constantly look for ways in which they can give back to their country. They must be ready and willing at all times to represent the powerless and help them obtain justice. He said "We need an army of smart, committed and idealistic people to give voice to the voiceless and produce tangible change in our society”. He expressed the hope that graduates would take up legal aid for the poor as a life long commitment and do their utmost to draw attention to the problems of the disempowered. However, he advised them not to do this demanding or expecting gratitude. He said "Do it as your duty – your contribution to a more equal world and a motherland you are proud of - an India which has made you what you are today”.
The President said lawyers have a duty to fight injustice wherever it exists. It is lawyers who must lead the change against criminality, poverty, domestic violence, caste‐discrimination and other forms of exploitation.
This release issued at 1325 hrs