Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today assured the management of Army Institute of Law (AIL) to extend all possible support and cooperation to make the country’s prestigious law institute as deemed university at the earliest. Addressing the fourth convocation of Army Institute of Law here, Badal said that with the proposal mooted by the management of AIL to grant status of deemed university to this institution would go a long way in establishing AIL as one of the best institution in the field of legal education. He congratulated the students especially who got their degrees on the successful completion of Law and wished them a bright future. He exhorted them to play a pro-active role as upholders of law and justice in society and reminded them of their prime and foremost duty to “bring justice to the downtrodden, the under-privileged and the poor sections of the society. He asked them to be ready to face challenges and shoulder new responsibilities as you have entered in the new phase of their life. Badal said he was confident that all these years of training have equipped them well to not only achieve their goals but also face the challenges head-on. It was a matter of great pride and honour that the student s of this institute have joined judicial services in Punjab, as also in Army, Banks, Corporate houses and law firms in metros like Delhi and Mumbai, added Badal. The Chief Minister said that that his association with this institution has been right since its inception and he felt that Army institute of Law was a value addition to the legal education of Punjab and commands an excellent standing in the field of law education. He called upon the students to perform their respective roles and duties with utmost dedication, sincerity and professional commitment. Conceding to the request of the management of AIL for starting LL.M classes from the next academic session, the Chief Minister asked them to send a detailed proposal to him so that he could take up this matter with the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala with this institute was affiliated for seeking their approval in this regard. The management urged the Chief Minister that AIL was keen to begin LL.M on the same pattern and procedure being now followed in case of LL.B course. Later, a few students handling institute’s online magazine interviewed Chief Minister to elicit his view point on the scope and prospects of legal profession in the current scenario.
Earlier, the Principal of the Institute, Dr. Tejinder Kaur welcomed the dignitaries and applauded the achievements of students in various fields. As many as 100 students were awarded degrees. The Chief Minister award for being overall topper in Business Law Group was won by Minna (May 2012), Shbhra (May 2011) & Shubhneet (May 2012) in legal practice group it was bagged by Manik Mittal (May 2012), Harmandeep (May 2011) & Sahil Puri (May 2012) batch. Chief of Army Staff Trophy was bagged by Abhilasha for 2005-10 batch, Meghna for 2001-11 batch and shuhneet for 2007-12 batch. A cash award was given to Himanshu and Megha of AIL respectively for standing first and second in Punjab Judicial Services Examination. Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Chief of Staff HQ Western Command and patron of AIL Lt. Gen. AS Chabbewal, Chairman Maj. Gen. SK Manchanda and Dean Colleges Development Council Punjabi University Patiala Dr. JA Khan.