'Words and Worlds' Essay Contest RGNUL-RE-MARKINGS Collaboration - Nibir K. Ghosh

 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Nibir K. Ghosh

While being invited by Dr. Navleen Multani to speak to the students of Rajiv Gandhi National Law University Punjab, Patiala on “Why Literature Matters in the Study and Practice of Law,” at a Symposium organized by the English Department of the University in association with RE-MARKINGS, I little imagined what an unforgettable experience it would turn out to be. The passion with which the students responded to the event was truly admirable considering the fact that they had little contact with literature till then. Their enthusiastic response triggered off the idea of the essay writing contest that brought to the fore their innate potential to give expression to the innermost feeling that had hitherto remained dormant. As an instance, I reproduce here a few lines from the essay of one participant:

Law, at the vantage point of a literary treasurer, is not at all restricted to authorities, bureaucracy, constitution, acts and punishments. It extends its flanks actually to the profound depths of the laws of the realms of one’s conscience; conscience that guides a man to glory and untold fortunes or to the infernos and darkest of abysses according to what a man thinks, wishes and acts. To be expressed in simple terms, the law perceptible as the constitution today is actually the tip of the iceberg; an iceberg that has conscience, the sense of right and wrong, internal justice that pacifies the soul and morality supporting it.

These impressions brought home to me what I had always believed in about the tremendous potential of young minds to absorb whatever they consider of value to them. In spite of numerous distractions to keep them ‘fruitfully’ engaged, if they could remain alert and glued to their computer screen for hours and listen as well as note with precision what they heard, and consequently, give lucid expression to what they truly felt about the relationship between literature and life, it is ample evidence of their willingness to believe that change always comes from within oneself.

On account of our own closed mindsets toward the younger generation, we are usually reluctant to give them any credit for interest, initiative or innovation in giving form and shape to the ideals of life and living. As educationists we often show our inclination for ‘holistic education’ and ‘thinking out of the box’ kind of cliches but never create the opportunity for a young mind to discover what lies deeply within his/her own self. We say we intend to encourage them to think ‘out of the box’ but we do not hesitate to make them remain submerged in and surrounded by so many piles and piles of boxes, filled with garbage and bookish nonsense, that leaves them with hardly any space for individual thought and initiative.

The emphasis of the participating students on “opportunities to ask questions and talk about real life examples” and their keenness to explore “the profound depths of the realms of one’s conscience” makes it evident that they are more serious about their role as responsible citizens than the self-proclaimed guardians of society.

It is no ordinary feat that over a hundred students submitted short essays on “Words and Worlds” in response to the announcement made by Re-Markings (co-sponsor to the event) to publish the best entries in the March 2022 issue of Re-Markings. I congratulate all the participants as well as the prize winners and hope that many among them will distinguish themselves as custodians of human values with the power of words to change worlds.

My grateful thanks to Prof. G. S. Bajpai, VC RGNUL, for felicitating the winners, to Dr. Navleen Multani for dreaming of an event of such significance Dr. Tanya Mander for her support, and to all participants who helped transform their teacher’s dream into reality.