Asian Law College inaugurated its new batch of 5-year B.A.LL.B. & 3-year LL.B. on Thursday, 7th October 2021. The inauguration kick-started a grand three-day Orientation Programme scheduled from Thursday, 7th October 2021 to Saturday, 9th October 2021.
The eminent guests for the inauguration ceremony who graced the ALC Orientation Programme 2021 with their august presence included Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament, Former Union Cabinet Minister, Minister of Law & Justice in India, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology as Chief Guest and Dr. Lalit Bhasin, Managing Partner-Bhasin & Co., President-The Bar Association of India, President-Society of Indian Law Firms, President-India Law Foundation, Chairman-CII National Committee on Dispute Resolution, Chairman-CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators)-India Chapter, and Chairman-PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Committee on Corporate Affairs as the Guest of Honour.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the presence of Asian Education Group’s leadership and Asian Law College’s academic team, which included Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chairman-Asian Education Group (AEG); Mr. Akshay Marwah, CEO-Asian Education Group (AEG); Mr. Mohit Marwah, Managing Director-Asian Education Group (AEG); Dr. Lalitya Vir Srivastava, Director-Asian Education Group (AEG); Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Director-Asian Education Group (AEG); Mr. Gurdeep Singh Raina Director-Asian Education Group (AEG); and Mr. Ashish Bhardawaj, Head-Asian Law College (ALC) who hosted the event on behalf of the institute.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chairman-Asian Education Group (AEG) began with an invocation prayer to Lord Ganesh on behalf of all the new batch students that said, “Hey Lord, I’m showering flowers on Your Feet and looking for more capacity and capability to complete this new job I’m starting today. Hey Lord, I pray to Thee that I should be able to complete this job comfortably without any hindrances and obstacles. I need new energy from You!”
He then welcomed all the new students on board of Asian Law College and enlivened the ambience with his inspiring speech laced with some stirring Hindi couplets and motivated the students by stating that “two things were much more beautiful than what you can see with your naked eyes – your THINKING and your FEELINGS … and the best part is that both the things are there right within you!” He also beautifully expounded the word EDUCATION as Enthusiasm, Dedication, Utilization of given resources, Communication/Commitment, Ambition, (Mental) Toughness, Information/Innovation, Overall personality, and being a Nationalist.
Dr. Marwah also recounted the remarkable journey of Asian Education Group from 50 students, 5 courses and 1 campus in the year 1993 to today’s 5 campuses, 5000 students and more than 55 courses and the latest milestone – viz. the recent launch of AAFT University at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India! He said that “the journey has been very interesting” and thanked all members of the Asian Education Group for their hard work and dedication.
This was followed by the address of the Chief Guest of the ceremony, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament, Former Union Cabinet Minister, Minister of Law & Justice in India, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology.
Delivering his much awaited address, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, at first, confessed that “it was indeed nice to be here” and observed that it was a “good campus” and acknowledged that he was “deeply impressed with the cleanliness and general ambience of the institute”. Proceeding with his address, the distinguished guest described himself as “a man with many hats … beginning with being a lawyer.”
Shri Prasad then took up to answer a very pertinent question, “Why study of Law is important?” To quote his words, he said, “India is a democracy and the rule of law is a paramount aspect of its functioning. Hence, a pool of lawyers is always required.” He further stated that the “study of law has become very important during the last few years” and he was “happy to see so many students opting for this course at Asian Law College”. He importantly advised the students with the words: “Clear your understanding of the subject while at your college and have a clear career path in law … which is very very personally satisfying.” Bringing up reverential references to stalwarts like India’s first President, Shri Rajendra Prasad, Mr. C. R. Das and Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi – who all were primarily lawyers by education and calling – Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said to the students, “Sky is the limit the day you become a lawyer!”
Talking about why the Constitution is important, Shri Prasad said, “People have become really important, and their protection and empowerment is what our Constitution ensures in large measure.” He also cautioned the students with the words: “Law is giving you new fields and challenges today, and technology is going to metamorphosize your world. This is the age of Technology, Information and Communication … and it is India’s moment where Technology is playing a very important role. So, learn and be prepared accordingly!”
Before he concluded, the erudite eminent guest Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad shared two more pearls of wisdom with the students: “(i) When you study law, be conversant with the cultural heritage of the country for correct understanding of cases and situations.” (Here, he showed to the students a new book on the Constitution of India that carried pictorial illustrations taken from religious books like Ramayan, etc.) And, “(ii) Be successful and become a big lawyer, but always keep your heart open for the poor and underprivileged.
What followed next was the Guest of Honour address by Dr. Lalit Bhasin, Managing Partner-Bhasin & Co., President-The Bar Association of India, President-Society of Indian Law Firms, President-India Law Foundation, Chairman-CII National Committee on Dispute Resolution, Chairman-CIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators)-India Chapter, and Chairman-PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Committee on Corporate Affairs.
Dr. Lalit Bhasin began his address by admitting that “It was a profound experience listening to Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad who is not only a national leader of great eminence, but also a best example of what we can achieve after becoming a lawyer. Sky is the limit for lawyer, but their contributions should be also for the country as well.”
Thereafter, Dr. Bhasin talked at length about the state-of-affairs of the legal profession in the modern times. He said, “There are many choices for students of law today, especially in the light of several specializations in law that have come up for consideration. But, that is the decision you have to make. Apart from this, there is the choice of practicing lawyer and in-house counsel. And again, becoming a law teacher is a noble thought!”
Dr. Bhasin then shared some of his priceless advice to the ALC law students related to the demands of the legal profession which would make the students stand in good stead in their careers ahead. To quote his words, he said, “Power of expression, both oral and written, is a critical requirement in the legal profession and therefore you must go all out to hone them up as much as possible. Again, time-management is another key skill that is abundantly required. Remember, law is a very jealous profession; it demands full attention and full commitment.” He also commented upon “Ladies as lawyers” as a “tough position” and paid tributes to those who had made a mark for themselves in this domain. To the girl students who had enrolled for this degree programme, he said that they should “be geared for a hard but a long inning” and encouraged them with the words, “You have the ability to do that!”
Dr. Bhasin further stated that “Indian legal profession is second to none in this world and foreign nations want to consult Indian lawyers as a matter of choice.” Citing his own example of how he has been a Special Senior Advisor to the American Bar Association, he announced that “in times to come there will be ample scope in the future and it will be your effort, your vision and your commitment that will ensure success for you.”
As a parting thought – and echoing Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad’s insistence on ‘Social Responsibility’ of the lawyers – Dr. Bhasin said, “As a lawyer, strive for ‘Justice for Everyone’ … rather those who cannot afford to pay for expert consultancy. Aim for ‘Giving It Back To Society’. Help the poor, needy, disabled, children. Create those windows to help them out of their miseries.”
Dr. Lalit Bhasin closed his address by extending his “best wishes to all ladies & men” and extended his “heartiest congratulations to Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chairman-Asian Education Group (AEG) for bringing business and law together!”
The event then saw a Poster Release Ceremony of “ALC Judicial Academy 2021 Commencement of In-House Classroom to Courtroom” session.
Following a warm felicitation of the honourable Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, Mr. Ashish Bhardawaj, Head-Asian Law College (ALC) delivered the customary ‘Vote of Thanks’ and then administered the Oath Taking Ceremony for the new batch of ALC students. This officially brought the morning session of the inaugural ceremony of ALC Orientation 2021 to an end.
The post-lunch session saw Ms Laxmi Agarwal – Director-Chhanv Foundation, a TV Host, Acid Attack Survivor, and Campaigner-Rights of Acid Attack Survivor – take centrestage of the function and deliver a powerful motivational session around her well-known story of pain and struggle.
With this, the ‘Orientation Day’ ceremony for Asian Law College’s new batch of 5-year B.A.LL.B. & 3-year LL.B. students came to a dignified end.