The Mass Oath ceremony for the newly enrolled advocates was organized here today in the premises of H.P. State High Court. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Chief Justice of the State High Court, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister congratulated the young advocates for joining the legal fraternity. He hoped that they would excel themselves in legal profession and would provide valuable services to the society. Shri Virbhadra Singh said the law was not merely an instrument of social control but also an instrument of social change. Legal education equips students for performing multiple role in the society. The law, legal education and development had become inter-related in modern developing societies which were struggling to develop into social welfare State.
He said that the Bar Council had made valuable contribution in spearheading the freedom movement. The members of the Council played pivotal role in strengthening the functioning of democratic set up thus enriching parliamentary debates. Besides, the contribution of lawyers in advancing the cause of human rights, civil liberty and advancement of constitutional democracy could hardly be overstated. He said the role of lawyers was now viewed in a much larger perspective and there was a deeper consciousness not only among the law teachers, judges and the lawyers but also among common people. Shri Virbhadra Singh congratulated the Bar Council for organizing the function. On the demand of the State Bar Association, he assured that government would provide all possible assistance to establish a National Law School in Shimla.Chief Minister also inaugurated the official website of the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh and expressed hope that it would be very useful to get information on legal matters.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice, Shri A.M. Khanwilkar said that the society had very high expectations from the members of legal fraternity who were expected to fight for the cause of truth and justice. The Members of the Bar occupy special place in general and they are the bedrock of the judicial system. There would be no rule of law if the judicial system was to be rendered ineffective, inefficient and non-performing. The casualness and indifference by the Members of the Bar in conducting matters on behalf of their clients would do serious disservice to the pristine glory of the legal profession.
Justice Khanwilkar expressed happiness over the performance of the members of H.P. High Court Bar Association and others as well who were not only conscious of their duties but also concerned about the interests of their clients and litigants. He said that with the launching of official website, the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh had registered its virtual presence world-over. He also welcomed the young lawyers for joining the mainstream of legal profession. Chairman, Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh Shri Shrawan Dogra administered the oath to 173 newly enrolled advocates.Vice Chairman of the Bar Council Shri Vikas Rathore presented the vote of thanks. Justice D.D. Sood, Justice Kuldeep Singh and Justice Rajiv Sharma, the Judges of H.P. High Court, Shri P.Mitra, Acting Chief Secretary, Shri Chirag Bhanu Singh, Principal Secretary, Law, Shri Ashwani Pathak, President, H.P. High Court Bar Association, Shri Prem Singh Negi, President, Shimla District Bar Association, Senior Advocates, Judicial Officers and students of Law Colleges were present on the occasion.