Day 82. Legacy -19

I had authored a book –Living and Leaving Gracefully, way back in 2008 that carried a perceptive foreword from  Dr. T C Nair( then Member, SEBI). I am, therefore, always keen to locate instances of graceful behaviour, more so from persons of power.

One such very eminent case came to my notice by sheer accident. I got a WhatsApp forward early last week  reading—"In the court of justice, both the parties know the truth, it is the judge who is on  trial.”(Justice J R Midha of Delhi High Court on his farewell speech). This quote intrigued me to delve deeper.

Then I came across the full farewell function on YouTube. (See link given below). I suggest you to watch it, ASAP. It will be an invaluable investment of 1.29 hours of your life. If you cannot spend that much time, see from 1.00 to 1.28  hrs.(just 28 mts.) where the speech of the Lordship is given.( Further It will not be possible to do full justice to the function in this brief write up, hence the above suggestion).

Speaker after speaker showered rich encomiums on the retiring judge. That is normal in such functions. But what is interesting to note is the wonderful human qualities of the retiring judge highlighted by the speakers. They include-

1.     First and foremost, his pleasant/soft demeanour

2.     Amount of thought that goes into his each judgement

3.     Concern/compassion for the victim of the cases

4.     Passion to “unearth the truth” in the matter

5.     Spiritual/meditative outlook that drove him

6.     Humility par excellence

7.     Smiling face

8.     Polite to one and all, never losing cool/patience at any time

9.     Philosophical and humanitarian approach

10. Concern for animals, especially stray dogs

11. Humble/ simple in dealings

12. Work for common good

13. Believing in the existence of a higher reality

14. Acting based on the quote “To  thine  own self be true’

15. Non- confrontationist outlook … list goes on.

The farewell speech by the Lordship was full of humility, wisdom and a sense of satisfaction that he could contribute in the cause of truth and justice. His judgements  have become landmark references for future- thereby leaving rich legacies . His insistence -guidelines- that accidental victims should be compensated early, has now come as a ruling/Law that in Delhi such victims are paid within 90 to120 days, which used to take 5 to 10 years before!!! ( That is real contribution to humanity at large).

He strived to see that such payments are made early like in UK and Canada. In one case he cited due to these steps, payment was made on the 13 day  of the accident !( Can we  even dream of such a situation happening anywhere in the country?)

Those are landmark judgements  for the country which will serve the victims all over the country if implemented with vigour. His judgements on caring for stray dogs was repeatedly mentioned by speakers. He also stated that in his retired life he intends to devote more time to his 4 pet dogs—as also  stated by Ratan Tata on one occasion, which the Judge also cited. His prayer to the God is indeed heart touching .. he prayed that  God should now help him to reach his spiritual goal in this life itself.

He ended with 2 to 3 quotes, one was… “I expect to pass through this world but once; if, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to my fellow being, let me do it now; let me not defer, nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”. Stephen Grellet.   ( This I had also cited in my book- Making a Difference-2005).

• All in all, listening to  this  farewell function on the net enriched me immensely, that joy I am sharing by reproducing my thoughts gathered form it.

Be happy. Be safe.

        ॐ तत् सत्

      8 AM

      NB:

1) All retiring persons should be able to leave with that grace and satisfaction as depicted in the above.2) We need more such noble persons in all fields 3)YouTube link of the function-https://youtu.be/ShF-OQuIMCc