‘Patience is key in a world of short-term gratification’: CJI D Y Chandrachud tells law graduates at NLSIU convocation

“Unlike my generation, you all have leveraged technology to be inquisitive, ask questions, and have them answered at the click of your finger. The urge to act with immediacy is natural. But it is equally unsustainable in the long run and sets unrealistic standards for you and for others to match up to,” he added.

Justice Chandrachud also stressed that a decision made in haste drains one’s mental health in the long run. “It is also unlikely to create long-term positive changes for your goals. Keeping this in mind is especially important for lawyers. Your profession will demand your attention. In meeting these demands you must remember that you are here for the long haul. No matter how much the forced sense of urgency, you must approach life with patience,” he said.

Quoting American novelist Sylvia Plath’s famous line ‘I am, I am, I am’, Justice Chandrachud explained how one must face and what one must do during difficult times. “When you face a tough decision just do what I do – to paraphrase Sylvia Plath – ‘I take a deep breath and listen to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.’ The decisions you face, particularly the difficult ones, will require strength… In moments of uncertainty, when you face tough choices, remember to pause and listen to your inner voice. Your instincts are a reflection of your training and experience,” he said.

This year, 1,079 students graduated from the various academic programmes of NLSIU. These include two from the PhD Programme; 52 from the Master of Public Policy Programme; 90 from the Master of Laws Programme; 85 from the Bachelor of Arts and Laws (Honours) Programme, and 850 students from the Online and Hybrid Education Programmes.