Celebrating 25 Years! | Batch of 1998 | BA LLB (Hons)
August 12, 2023
This weekend, NLSIU is excited to host a campus reunion for the batch of 1998 as they celebrate 25 years of their graduation from law school!
On August 12, 2023, our alumni from the 1998 batch will be spending the day on campus reconnecting with batchmates, faculty, and other members of the NLS community and will include a lunch as well as a campus walk.
Here’s a note penned by the batch on this occasion to the faculty of the law school:
“Dear Teachers,
It was 1993. We, as the 6th batch of NLS, had just seen your first batch through. We can’t say that we were your best, nor can we say that we were your worst. We were much younger then and so were you. We didn’t have to be on GLC premises. We saw fee increases, OCBs (off campus bungalow), and then new hostels, the new football field, staff cars rolling into ponds, 7.30 deadlines, and Socratic methods. We started Legala and Strawberry Fields, we used the internet for the first time in our 5th year, you caught us passing chits, you read our awful handwriting and taught us to find the law in books. You held our hands, (perhaps a little too) firmly in our most formative years. You made us what we are, although we cannot hold you entirely responsible for the way we turned out!”
The batch has also recently donated Rs. 15 lakh as a contribution to the Student Activity Centre that will be developed on campus. Siboney Sagar, NLA BA LLB 1998, said: “It is a privilege to bring to the students of law, facilities for artistic expression and collaboration in the arts. As students of law, which is a lifelong pursuit, we hope the audio visual room and other facilities give students great opportunities to enjoy music and find their expression.”
Down Memory Lane
Recalling his time at NLS, Prof. Jayagovind said: “I remember we started off in a ramshackled building and hardly any infrastructure at the time. An educational institution becomes great if its students continue on their mission to acquire knowledge. There were such bright students in these batches and I would wonder what motivated these students at the time. The staff and students too worked together very well.”
Reflecting on his own journey at NLS as an Assistant Professor, an Associate Professor, and later as the Vice-Chancellor of this University, Prof. Jayagovind said: “It is a great feeling to see several of our students from the batch leading law firms, or advising governments today. It is also an exhilarating feeling that Sudhir, a student from this very same batch that I taught, later took over as the VC of the University. The scenario has changed where I now sit on the other side of the desk. Congratulations to everyone!.”
Thanking everyone who made the event possible, Prof. Babu Mathew recalled the words of NLSIU’s founder-director Prof. Madhava Menon. “The Central College campus where NLS was first located, had very little material things to inspire us. Prof. Menon was an administrator and led by example with his hard work. We have survived because of the values that he had inculcated. I am happy that we have now gone back to the old values,” he said.
Following a round of introductions with the alumni, Prof. V Elizabeth recalled her time with the batch: “It is wonderful to be meeting former students and seeing how well you all are doing. And whoever thought someone from your batch would be the first alumni VC of NLS! You are the second batch I taught; and taught a course that I designed. You made my life difficult – you took so many liberties during my sessions that I eventually had to become a firmer teacher! I also recall all of us going for a movie together (1942 – A Love Story), although I don’t know how much of history you picked up from it! I remember Prof. Menon also had trusted me to take care of the women students on campus.” Reflecting on the journey of NLS so far, she said: “NLS has completed 35 years. And change is good – especially if the change contributes to the growth of the University.”
Alumni Reflections
Aishwarya, NLS BA LLB 1998: “The decision to have our reunion in Bangalore and at the Law School was mainly because of it being our 25th year and Sudhir, our classmate, being the University’s Vice Chancellor now. I am glad this turned out to be a good call. As a batch, we hope to be more involved with our alma mater going forward. The Music Room is a small endeavour towards this. This for me is mainly in memory of our friend Rahul Cherian.”
Alice George, NLS BA LLB 1998: “As a batch, the 1998 batch has benefited immensely from the music and cultural milieu of law school and it’s permissive environment. Our batch pioneered the Locomotion music concert which has now morphed into strawberry field. It was with this in mind that the members of batch of 1998 are delighted to contribute towards the music and theatre arena of law school. We really hope the future batches of law school benefit from the multi dimensional experience of the study of law that this new space for music and theatre will provide. Small gesture from members of the batch of 98 towards our law school.”
Protima Pandey, NLS BA LLB 1998: “When I look back at the treasure trove of knowledge, talent, and tools I got at my time in NLS, I cannot imagine any other professional path for me and for that I’m indebted to NLS. Returning to the campus, I knew instantly that if life rewinded 25 years back, I’d do the same all over again. For giving us the lessons to learn to fly, but letting us choose where to go, from teaching us how to harness our inner advocate but not prescribing what to advocate for, and for giving us the foundation to build and standing alongside us as we grow, I am proud of the legacy of NLS and thank the institution for making me into the professional I am today.”
Moments from the Reunion
We look forward to hosting more such milestone gatherings for other batches and programmes in the years ahead!