Journey from a Lawyer to a Social Activist and a Researcher

 

My journey in education has been one of a roller coaster ride. Never was I ever interested in doing a regular 3-year degree course but was always astounded by a professional degree. I wanted to excel in a specialized skill where I could be of some help to society at large. 

I always dreamt of helping those in need and as a child, I decided I wanted to be a doctor. I took science in high school and passed out with flying colors. However, the road to being a doctor wasn’t in my destiny even though I gave multiple entrances. I failed to get admission to a good college for MBBS for lack of funds and not so good a rank. 

With trying my hand at multiple things like applying for English honors at Delhi University, to a bachelor’s in zoology or botany at Christ College, Bangalore, and aspiring to take admission in NIFT for fashion designing I drastically felt lost. It was like I was getting signs that none of these are aligned with my purpose i.e. to serve humanity. 

One day a very close friend of mine asked me a very pertinent question, why I did not give a shot at studying law as I had always been a justice seeker? I was already late in submitting various forms, however, one hope to apply for entrance for taking admission to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University made my hopes high. It is one of the oldest universities and is a well-renowned university in Delhi. At that time the GGSIPU was located at Kashmiri gate, a historical heart of Delhi, and recently has been moved to Dwarka. The campus is huge with lush gardens and a serene view. A perfect environment for students to study amidst nature and in peace.

There were at that point in time 3 colleges affiliated with GGSIPU for the BALLB honors course namely, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, University law College and Amity University. Once, you clear the entrance based on the rank the student gets notified for a counseling session to choose the college of your choice. 

I studied on my own after buying the Universal Law Book and prepared for my entrance from that book in a span of 1 month. Luckily, I got a rank of 224 on my entrance exam. I could have chosen any of the above-mentioned 3 colleges however, I chose Vivekananda Institute of Professional studies. I googled about the colleges and also inquired from people I know from the colleges and checked their websites. Out of all the colleges, VIPS suited my requirement with respect to location, fees, study structure, and the website which was attractive. And it turned out to be the same, with respect to faculty and study material VIPS stands out from the 3. The students are not overburdened with assignments however, regular assessments and teacher-student guidance, along with opportunities for extracurricular activities like sports, freshers’ day, moot courts, student exchange programs, special cultural programs, and a great supportive administration staff with a fantabulous canteen being the hallmark ensured that I took the best decision of my life. The learning was based more on the practical application of laws and interpreting them in a meaningful way. The fees were also affordable. They have a beautiful campus and great teachers in Rohini, Delhi. 

My course was a 5-year integrated course, BALLB(h), I started in 2006 and graduated in 2011. I met great teachers who helped me shape my life and rather than just studying the laws. I understood them very well. Today I am working as a social activist, researcher, and writer and work for human rights. My journey as a lawyer and a researcher has helped me make a great difference to the underprivileged, for instance, I won the PIL for banishing open defecation and opening toilets in semi-urban and peri-urban areas. I have continuously fought for the underprivileged and have also supported students by teaching them the law the same way my teachers taught me. And my journey to benefit mankind started 12 years back. However, I will continue my journey till the end of time and try to change as many policies as I can, identify gaps, and encourage interventions to bridge the urban-rural divide. Thus, I am really grateful for doing this degree as it has made me understand laws applicable and necessary for the underprivileged as well as make amendments as and when required. Last but not the least, if you study law you definitely get a great hold on your language, as each and every word is very important in interpreting the LAW!!

About the Author

Namita is an originator and initiator,  She is an Independent Consultant who has graduated in law and is succinct in ideation, she has imbibed knowledge from diverse sectors like social development, human rights, content creation, media, law, animal rights, arts, etc. Pursuing the ambition to be an entrepreneur, Namita has gained experience in Administration, Creative writing and thinking, implementation of ideas into action, Technical writing, Legal counseling and research, Social Research, Communication, and Managerial Tasks. She has worked with NGOs, Legal firms, and National and International Organizations. Namita's analytical mindset and flair for writing have rewarded her with recognition and appreciation.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha.