Dr. G. Mohan Gopal Director National Law School of India University

Why would a young person entering University choose to study law?

The initial motivation to choose a legal career - or any other career for that matter - is often as mysterious as it is personal. The reasons are sometimes profound; sometimes trivial; and, sometimes, the choice is no more than a stroke of fate. Some regret their initial choices; others, like me, find that the law becomes an all consuming, never-ending passion.

In choosing a legal career, you are choosing a career of public service. An effective legal system that protects freedom, human dignity and equal opportunity, safeguards peace and harmony, catalyzes economic development and promotes social, economic and political justice, is vital for the future of our country. It is the responsibility of lawyers - as judges, law practitioners, government officials and other legal functionaries - to translate this vision to reality. Over half a century after independence we also have the huge challenge of building a new, truly Indian jurisprudence and legal system based on conceptual foundations and institutional frame-works that arise from the diverse and pluralist traditions of our country.

One should not choose law if your goal merely is to become rich, powerful or famous. You will no doubt have the opportunity to be rich as a lawyer. The law can also give you power and fame. However, there are many other professions that can bring you far greater wealth, power and fame than the law ever can. Nor should you study law because you are merely looking for a comfortable lifestyle - while the law can give you a good lifestyle, the law is a jealous mistress that will mercilessly take most of your time and energy!

It is important to remember, therefore, that when you choose to study law you are not just choosing a career - you are joining a public mission Those choosing to study law must therefore, at a minimum, have a fervent and passionate interest in public service, justice for the downtrodden, the search for truth and in the prevalence of peace.

Why would a young person wanting to study law choose the National Law School? Quite simply because if offers the best quality legal education available in India! But NLS is not for everyone. Choose the Law School if you can commit to its essential mission of using "law and legal processes as efficient instruments of social development", and developing in its students "a sense of responsibility of serve society" (quotes from the statute establishing the NLSIU). Choose the Law School if you can commit to a culture of hard work and the pursuit of excellence in everything you do - academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular - and to the highest standards of personal ethics, morality and discipline (see the section that describes the University's Principles of conduct and Core Values). Building character and values is a core objective of the Law School. We have a wide and demanding range of academic activities beyond the classroom - law reform roundtables, seminars, workshops, projects, legal aid and outreach programs and other clinical and skill oriented programs, seminars and research activities as well as a range of cultural activities. We work six days a week, and often on Sundays as well, and live a "24/7" life! We aspire to demanding academic standards.

As part of our New Vision for Legal Education in the Emerging Global Scenario, we are also exploring and developing new approaches to legal education. "The important thing", said Einstein once, "is not to stop questioning". We agree.

I hope that you will make the right choice and that, thirty years from now you, will be able to look back - as I do - with satisfaction at your choice. The Law School is an exciting and vibrant place with many new initiatives and much energy. Should you choose the National Law School, I have no doubt that you will greatly enjoy your time at the Law School.