Meet Our New SBA Co-Presidents! | AY 2022-23

We congratulate our new Co-presidents of the Student Bar Association for the Academic Year 2022-23 – Girija Bhosale, fifth year BA LLB (Hons) student, and Manthan D, fourth year BA LLB (Hons) student.

The SBA Elections 2022 which were held in August 2022 witnessed some enthusiastic campaigns by the student body to support the contesting candidates, as well as voting in large numbers. The process was completed under the supervision of the Electoral Board with coordination support from the outgoing SBA President. A total of 703 votes were cast based on which the two Co-Presidents were elected. Girija also fulfils the requirements for the post reserved for a woman or a person from a gender minority as per the SBA Constitution.

Following the election results, NLSIU Vice Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy said: “We thank the outgoing SBA leadership including Darsan Guruvayurappan and Anshul Vats for their outstanding service to the University in AY 2021-22. We look forward to working closely with the SBA to reinvigorate the NLS student experience and University life in the year ahead.

We spoke to the new co-presidents and asked them to share their thoughts and vision for the SBA ahead. Here is what they had to say:

Girija Bhosale

“It is a privilege and a great responsibility to lead and represent the student body of the National Law School. The University is currently undergoing a transition phase as it grows and extends its learning opportunities to even more students across various programmes. The student body shares the responsibility of adapting itself to the transition and design newer structures reflecting diversity and inclusion.

In many ways, the NLSIU student community reflects the larger society, drawing students of diverse socio-economic backgrounds across the country. As the university opens up the doors of real and equal opportunity to its students, the student body must reflect the same. I aim to facilitate the development of a wholesome student culture which provides ample opportunities for the all-around development of students, and preserves the values and virtues of the institution such as equity, inclusivity, fraternity and academic integrity.”

Manthan D

“The NLS I walked into as a bright-eyed but intimidated first year was an exclusionary island of excellence. A place where many of us had to find our place on this island. Through my bid for the post of SBA Co-President, I sought to represent an NLS where every student can proudly assert their place in this community and get a fighting chance to excel in their own ways.

With law school having set sail on full steam into the future, the massive expansion plans require us as a Student Body to look inward and fortify the bonds of community such that they can withstand into this burgeoning future. If we disconnect at this juncture, I am afraid we might not be able to regain or recreate this sense of belonging for each and every stakeholder of the NLS fraternity. Hence, I would define my term as SBA Co-President by ensuring that I strengthen every aspect of inclusive community life and student welfare at Law School.”