“India has a long way to go, if viewed from World Bank’s rule of law index perspective.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Well-rounded woman law teacher and knowledge worker with professional excellence and commitment to justice, redefining possibilities for women beyond social norms and defying discrimination as well roadblocks, relying on soul power.

How did your journey begin? Who were your mentors and role models?

A science graduate, I turned to law due to family property issues and as most got resolved out of court, went on to higher studies. Invited to teach by my alma mater SDM Law College, Mangalore, I built a profile as an excellent teacher and researcher during my five year tenure.

My role models and mentors include my late parents; Dr. Rita Noronha (social worker), late Mr. Janardana (first PRO, Syndicate Bank), late Prof. Madhava Menon who invited me to join his team at NLSUI, Bangalore; former Law Minister and Parliamentarian Dr. Veerappa Moily and in last 14 years, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, Symbiosis who nurtured a passion for leadership in higher education and innovation.

The spiritual life of Anandmayee Maa and the dedicated service of late Sindhutai Sapkal have also influenced me.

What are the pros and cons of academia as a career option?

Pros include a peaceful youthful life seeped in ideas and knowledge dissemination. Cons include no great pay, no pleasures,
petty politics and inbreeding in some institutional eco systems,
poor gender parity, managerial/leadership skill deficit.

What is the biggest challenge of the legal education industry? Has the pandemic brought in opportunities?

The biggest challenge in legal education sector (I respectfully avoid the word ‘industry’, as we transform people and not mass-produce goods) is quality variance, affordability, professional glass ceiling, faculty crunch, and bigger young demography with too many diversions.

The pandemic adversity has kicked in new possibilities such like online pedagogy, hybrid learning, self-learning among students, innovation in both teaching and learning, environmental concerns, stress reduction in some facets such as transport and infrastructure maintenance, future readiness and put compassion levels to test.

How can India reach a level where we become a part of the global education system?

The gap in quality indicators between India and advanced countries is narrowing. India has to encash on its young demography with a robust policy enabling transnational twining and joint degrees, international best practices, leading knowledge creation and tuning the education to global requirements.

How can the legal curriculum be made more relevant and effective in a technology-driven future?

It can be made more relevant by engaging all stakeholders of not only court-based system, but also drawing experts from various disciplines such as business, technology, media and literature; in curriculum development and review. It can be effective if related to real life, human suffering and social needs by doing systematic gap analysis and gap filling.

What is unique about Symbiosis Law School comparatively? Your futuristic vision for it?

It has an unmatched legacy. Founded by a teacher, it rests on the foundation of excellence, innovation and grand vision of whole world as one family. The human capital in the form of network and alumni, cutting edge curriculum, strictly merit-based admission, experienced faculty, quality culture, professionalism and transformation- laced ecosystem in research and learning for future-readiness, carefully nurtured global competencies, impacting nation and common people -speak for its uniqueness.

An untiring commitment to those who love us and being authentic in the brand as topmost private law school in India in last 20 years is also unique. With our top management team, we envision being among the best, not only in Asia, but the world in future.

How do you define the success of an academic institution? What makes or breaks it?

Success of an academic institution is in paying back to the society which has nurtured it, by constantly inventing ways of engaging positively. An institution is a crucible of ideas and values in practice, meeting point of thinkers where tomorrow is envisioned and rolled out. Any compromise or deviation breaks it.

Is law an ass? Should those who break law get benefit of rule of law? How can we deal with the backlog of cases?

Law is an ass if it is not rational in responding to popular aspirations or public opinion /interest. No unclean hand can avail or expect justice. Dealing with backlog can happen with more courts in target areas, fast track courts, more judicial appointments, better technological utilisation and systematic pre- litigation solutions.

How evolved has the legal ecosystem been and why is it a popular career choice?

Legal ecosystem is the bulwark of civilisation and development. India has a long way to go, if viewed from World Bank’s rule of law index perspective. With growing young demography, desperate need to respond to poor rule of law metrics, law, being a professional avenue with versatile career opportunities as demonstrated by lead law school alumni, is a popular choice.

What courses or initiatives have your created? How to foster diversity and inclusivity in your department and on campus?

We have pioneered all-round internationalisation and won FICCI’s national award in 2021, competing with technology in a difficult legal arena. Our unique courses are European Legal Studies since 2009; 1 year LLM with eight specialisations and BBA LLB Hon.

Dr. Gurpur in a round table discussion on ‘Delayed Justice to Prisoners in India’ along with Dr. Mujumdar, Srijan Pal Singh and others over zoom

Other initiatives include focus on Climate Change Law and Policy in Jean Monet Chair we won recently from European Commission and ongoing grants in Forced Migration, 21st century teaching skills among others.

Another major initiative is the SCALSAR Centre of Excellence in advanced legal studies since 2013, championing original research, law and policy intervention across India through various projects and publications. We analyse the impact of student care and encourage, besides ensuring women leadership at all levels. Learning disability is addressed by systematic measures.

How can you be an advocate for students?

One has to take the profession as service to next generation, and hence to humanity. The quality of education, and all-round student care such as mentoring, remedial approach, therapeutic approach to transgress limits, providing best development avenues, thus transforms them into leaders and responsible citizens.

What’s your definition of good teaching?

Good teaching is the one which inspires, stimulates thinking and challenges limits. It incorporates best practices, arouses interest and curiosity and inculcates addiction to learning.

Can you talk about any experience you’ve had managing conflicts between students and administrators?

I have had many experiences which are not prolonged as conflicts. It is seen as conflict by outsiders who do not know the full truth as we protect students. We believe that the students full truth as we protect students. We believe that the students tend to believe they are absolutely right, where as they have limited experience. So, many follies need to be forgiven, kept confidential, shown light to be corrected than holding such immature past against them as they blossom in the outside world.

In the case of students who violate discipline to attract the wrath of community or law and order, reformative than retributive justice works better.

What would your message be for young aspiring lawyers? What qualities should they possess?

Never compromise truth and justice. Never stop learning. Qualities required are language skills, articulation, people skills, strategic thinking, problem solving, reading, learning, commitment to profession, responsible

As a member of the 19th Law Commission of India and National Judicial Academic Council how useful do you find deliberations?

During Dr. Moily’s tenure, 19 th Law Commission undertook a review of impact of its work and mooted the idea of making it a statutory Commission like many other advanced nations. The deliberations were useful in reforming laws and inuencing the policy discourse which in turn, enter the academic/research realm.

As member of National Judicial Academic Council, I was a regular resource person, training judges of High Courts and lower tiers on laws relating to women, children, social justice, gender training, constitutional role of judiciary and judging in comparative context, international law, media role, etc. The engagement is ongoing with some international batches of judges, state judicial academies joining the list.

How do you feel being among the top 100 Legal Luminaries of India named by LexisNexis? Briefly touch on your awards, especially the Kittur Rani Chennamma Award.

Winning awards has been a habit. I was a topper all through. Recognition/award is acknowledgement of your hard work and a constant reminder to keep up to standards.

I feel humbled and dedicate all these to my son Nisthula, who sacrificed his own pleasures and time; to my parents who dared to free me from conventional woman’s role and limits; to friends and mentors who let me be; to Symbiosis for entrusting a leadership role in the most male-dominated arena of law.

Kittur Chennamma award (given by the Government of Karnataka in 2019, named after the valourous queen who fought the Empire) was for my contribution as advisor to Jaimala Committee report on female sex workers in 2016- 17, role in Karnataka State Women’s University in Vijayapura since 2003, and other ongoing engagement in women empowerment. I also got the SILF’s Legal Education Innovation Award in 2011.

Given your busy schedule, do you find time to pursue your hobbies?

I make time for reading, creative writing, nature walking, palmistry, reiki, migrant engagement, international network, yoga, gym and spiritual sadhana.