As he nears retirement in a month, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud expressed his concerns and reflections regarding his time in office. Speaking at the 3rd convocation ceremony of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law in Bhutan, he candidly shared his thoughts about the past and future, pondering questions like: Did I accomplish everything I intended? How will history evaluate my tenure? Could I have made different choices? What legacy will I leave for the next generation of judges and legal professionals?
Embracing Vulnerability
“Pardon me for being a little vulnerable. I will be demitting office as the Chief Justice of India in November this year, after having served my country for two years. As my tenure is coming to an end, my mind has been heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past. I find myself pondering over questions such as: Did I achieve everything I set out to do? How will history judge my tenure? Could I have done things differently? What legacy will I leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals?”
He acknowledged that the answers to many of these questions lie beyond his control and that he might never find answers to some of them. However, he stated that he has dedicated himself to his role over the past two years, waking up every day with the intent to serve his country. “It is in this that I seek solace,” he added.
Transforming the Judiciary
During his nearly two-year tenure, Chief Justice Chandrachud has focused on transforming the Indian judicial system, making it more accessible to citizens, primarily through the use of technology. His time in office has been marked by significant reforms in judicial, institutional, and administrative frameworks, as well as delivering landmark rulings that uphold personal liberty, women’s rights, human rights, gender equality, the rights of the disabled, and environmental protection.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Like many of you, I also grew up as a child with an unrelenting passion to make a difference in the world around me. Driven by this insatiable zeal, I often pushed myself to extremes, habitually working long hours and carrying a heavy burden, as if the world’s problems rested solely on my shoulders. However, over the years, I have come to realize that our ability to contribute to our community is deeply rooted in our self-perception and capacity for self-care.”
The Importance of Well-Being
CJI Chandrachud emphasized the importance of prioritizing well-being and enjoying the journey rather than being fixated solely on the destination. He advised the graduates to occasionally reassess their paths and ask themselves, “Am I running towards a destination, or am I running towards myself?” He underscored the need for leaders driven by purpose, not just ambition.
Wisdom from Kipling
Towards the end of his address, the Chief Justice shared inspiring lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If, encapsulating his message:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son! [or daughter!]”
Addressing Climate Concerns
CJI Chandrachud also highlighted the urgent need for environmentally conscious legal professionals amid India’s unprecedented climate crisis and unchecked economic growth. He emphasized that the traditional values of Indian and Bhutanese communities should not be seen as opposing modern democratic ideals like liberty, equality, and dissent. Instead, these values can complement and enhance contemporary constitutional principles.
He noted that India’s Constitution supports local governance through village panchayats and gram sabhas, intertwining these traditional mechanisms with modern political thought. The Chief Justice asserted that this tradition is crucial for fostering public debate in India’s democracy.
Bhutan’s Commitment to Environment
The Chief Justice praised Bhutan’s commitment to environmental stewardship, emphasizing that the Constitution of Bhutan designates every citizen as a trustee of the kingdom’s natural resources. He expressed admiration for the cultural and intellectual richness that Bhutan contributes, stating that the success of its legal institution would mark a significant milestone for both local and global legal communities.
“I am inspired by the blend of modern, technologically advanced legal education with deep-rooted cultural and ethical values. The immense focus on clinical education, which not only imparts technical skills but also inculcates ethical values and teaches students to appreciate traditional methods of dispute resolution, is a fascinating experiment,” he remarked.
