Thread by @barandbench

Chief Justice of India Shri Justice N V Ramana to inaugurate the Odisha State Legal Services Authority’s new building shortly.

The event is being streamed live on the Orissa High Court's Youtube Channel:

Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana inaugurates the Odisha State Legal Services Authority’s new building.

Supreme Court Judges, Justices UU Lalit and Vineet Saran, and Orissa High Court Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar also present.

Some more images from the inaugural event.

CJI NV Ramana is expected to address the gathering shortly on the occasion of the inauguration of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority’s new building, Aain Seva Bhawan.

Orissa High Court Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar gives welcome address thanks CJI Ramana: Your very presence is a great source of encouragement and it will infuse new energy and enthusiasm among all working to improve the Odissa judiciary.

Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar: I must say a few words about the Chief Justice (Ramana) in the 5 months that he took over. There is a new energy infused... we talk of the foundations being very strong. It is as if the foundation has got even stronger.

CJ Dr S Muralidhar: It's palpable, the changes we are seeing. These are changes for the better. This has been received very positively among people ... definitely in the judiciary, there is a renewed energy that we must work better and we will realise the vision that you have.

CJ Dr S Muralidhar: About Justice Lalit, if we can describe him in two words, it is 'poise' and 'equanimity.'

CJ Dr S Muralidhar: About Justice Vineet Saran, I need not say anything at all. He is a former Chief Justice of this Court, much loved, much respected, both by Bench and Bar and the people of Odisha. The good work he had done is very warmly recollected by everyone.

CJ Dr S Muralidhar: It is an honour to have amidst us such stalwarts of the judiciary who are people with vision and purpose.

CJ Dr S Muralidhar also requests other Orissa High Court Judges, including Justices Pujahri and Justice Dash to step up and come to the front.

CJ: "They have all worked tirelessly, not only for this day, but generally to improve the performance of the Orissa Judiciary."

CJ Dr S Muralidhar: I have myself been very fortunate to have been sent here as Chief Justice. I expected that I would have to work very hard to rally people. But to my pleasant surprise, I found a lot of positive energy, including in the District Judiciary.

CJ Muralidhar: I am also finding that the profile of the judiciary is changing. We have more women officers at all levels. That itself is a very, very positive sign.

Justice Vineet Saran: A very good afternoon. It is like a homecoming for me. Every time I come to Orissa, I feel I am back home.

Justice Vineet Saran: I am delighted to be invited to this dedication of the Ain Sewa Bhavan to the people of Odisha. Odisha is the land of Lord Jagannath. It holds a special place in my heart and I am blessed to have served here for 2 and 1/2 years as Chief Justice.

Justice Saran: I have a special attachment to this project where Aain Bhawan was constructed as the land for this was acquired during my tenure as Chief Justice.

Justice Saran: I am confident by this dedication of Aain Seva Bhawan to people of Odisha, the authorities would reignite its resolve to continue with the arduous journey of empowering the underprivileged by providing effective legal representation, legal literacy and awareness

Justice UU Lalit: It's a privilege to be here. We could witness three monuments of excellence. 1. The Orissa State Legal Services Authority Building. 2. The record room - frankly speaking, I have never seen such a beautiful way of maintaining records ...

Justice Lalit: Pardon my expression, but I have seen many courts where the records are maintained in a very pitiable condition. What could be achieved and what could be the order of the day is seen in the way you are maintaining your records. That's a fantastic achievement.

Justice Lalit: The last monument is, of course, the Aain Bhawan. Legal services are completing 25 years of existence. What a fitting tribute that you have a new building for the Orissa SLSA which will be the benchmark in the future.

Justice Lalit: I have known Dr Justice Muralidhar for last more than 30 years. If you want to know this man, you should read his doctoral thesis, which was submitted to Delhi University. A fantastic achievement.

Justice Lalit: I always liked one expression he (Justice Dr. Muralidhar) which he uses - "'Legal aid' for the poor doesn't mean 'poor legal aid.'" That's what we want to achieve in Legal Services Authority.

Justice Lalit: We are embarking on a new journey now, after completing 25 years. There were teething problems, these were rudimentary years. Now the flame has to reach every nook and corner, every village in the country.

Justice Lalit: That's why I said it is a fitting tribute that such a beautiful building has come up in Orissa. Mind you, even NALSA does not have that kind of beautiful building.

Justice Lalit: Leave aside these, it is definitely the work and the work culture which is astounding. We saw that work culture, it was definitely on exhibition ...

Justice Lalit: ... and we could see the earnestness in the eyes of the youngsters working in record rooms. They were not machines. They were humans guided by a mission in life.

Justice Lalit: Apart from buildings and every other infrastructure, it is that spirit in human beings which if inculcated will take you places. This is what I have seen here. I must congratulate everyone associated with this work. Good luck. Jai Jagannath

CJI Ramana speaks: When brother Justice Murali - I will call him Murali, please don't misunderstand, it is because of his close association with me - when he invited, I couldn't say no.

CJI Ramana: After coming here, I saw a lot of great things, achievements, hard work, leadership qualities and more than anything, commitment and dedication to the cause and people of Odisha. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful Chief Justice working in a mission mode

CJI Ramana: Today, I am overwhelmed to be here, in this ancient land, whose history dates back to more than 2,000 years. The land whose culture and heritage influenced civilisations beyond the vast bay of Bengal...

CJI Ramana: ... the land where the religions amalgamated into the way of life, the land of archeology treasures, of majestic art and craft ...

CJI Ramana recites Odia poetry, adds: I am making an attempt in saying Odia, please excuse me if I am making a mistake in pronouncing.

CJI Ramana: The State of Odisha is known for its rich legal history. I was told that the Cuttack Bar Association is one of the oldest Bar Associations in the country, dating back to 1859.

CJI Ramana: I am extremely happy to inaugurate the building of the SLSA. The cause and activities of legal services are very close to my heart.

CJI Ramana: I need not reiterate the provisions of the Constitution. However, I must reiterate the guarantee of equal justice from the core beliefs of the framers of our Constitution.

CJI Ramana: Our Constitutional aspirations will never be achieved until the most vulnerable sections can enforce their rights.

CJI Ramana: But the challenges of accessing justice get magnified in States which pose significant hurdles like regional and economic disparity.

CJI Ramana: Particularly, in the State of Odisha, in the last census, around 83.3% of people are living in rural areas and are often excluded from the formal justice delivery system.

CJI Ramana: The role of legal services institutions assumes great importance.

CJI Ramana: The Indian judicial system is faced with twin challenges. First is that of the Indianisation of the Justice delivery system, which I mentioned in an earlier speech also.

- Read more on earlier speech: -

barandbench.com/news/legal-sys…

CJI Ramana: I take this opportunity to further elaborate on this. Even after 74 years of independence, traditional and agrarian societies that have been following customary ways of life still feel hesitant to approach the courts.

CJI Ramana: The practices, procedures, language, and everything of our courts feel alien to them.

CJI Ramana: Between the complex language of the Acts and the process of justice delivery, the common man seems to lose control over the fate of his grievances.

CJI Ramana: Often, in this trajectory, the justice seeker feels like an outsider to the system.

CJI Ramana: Although a harsh reality, often, our legal system fails to take into consideration the social realities and implications.

CJI Ramana: Sadly, our system is designed in such a way that by the time all the facts and law are churned in the court of law, much gets lost in the process.

CJI Ramana: People might be bringing their problems to the court, but what remains at the end of the day is yet another ... (unclear). These are the issues I want to address through Indianisation.

CJI Ramana: ... the top priority is unless the legal framework is drastically altered to make the justice delivery mechanism people-friendly, we will not be able to achieve this goal.

CJI Ramana: It is the general understanding of the people that it is the Court's responsibility to make laws. This notion has to be dispelled. This is the role where other organs of the State assume great significance - the Legislative, the Executive

CJI Ramana: The legislature needs to revisit the laws and reform them to suit the needs of time and people. I emphasise, our laws must match with our practical realities.

CJI Ramana: The executive has to match these efforts by way of simplifying the corresponding rules. Most importantly, the executive and the legislature should function in unison in realising the Constitutional aspirations

CJI Ramana: Generally, judiciary would not be compelled to step in as lawmaker and would only be left with duty of applying and interpreting the same. At the end of the day, it is the harmonious functioning of the 3 organs of state that can remove procedural barriers to justice

CJI Ramana: The second challenge is enabling the people to decode the justice delivery system by raising awareness. The concept of access to justice in India is much broader than simply providing lawyers to present in Court

CJI Ramana speaks of the role of Legal Services Authorities in empowering the vulnerable classes by giving legal aid

CJI Ramana: Legal Services Authorities have a great responsibility upon themselves to boost ADR mechanisms such as lok adalat, mediation and conciliation so as to render justice which is more inclusive, participatory and definitely faster.

CJI Ramana: Therefore, the Legal Services have become an integral part of the judicial administration. Lack of infrastructure and funds result in reduction of activities carried out by these institutions.

CJI Ramana: If we want to retain the faith of our people, we need to strengthen not only the judicial infrastructure but also need boost our outreach programmes as well

CJI Ramana: Considering the gravity of the challenge, we have decided to launch a country-wide, robust legal awareness mission in the coming week. I expect your cooperation and support.

CJI Ramana: I have been informed that around 1062 panel lawyers are empanelled with the Legal Services Authorities in Odisha, to provide necessary legal services. Approximately 3000 paralegal volunteers are tirelessly working throughout the pandemic to further goals of justice

CJI Ramana: Around 36,500 cases have settled through National and State Lok Adalats. These numbers are encouraging. With the addition of this new building, spread over 77,708 sq ft, with expenditure of Rs 9.14 Crores, the legal aid movement in Odisha will gain new momentum

CJI Ramana on Justice Saran, who is the Executive Chairman of NALSA: He believes in hands-on monitoring. He physically attends all the events, he personally visits jail. All of this shows his
concern to the cause of justice.

CJI Ramana: I am told that people of this State fondly remember my brother, Justice Vineet Saran as their Chief. He was actively involved in the legal services movement in Odisha. It was during his tenure that steps were initiated regarding this building project.

CJI Ramana: I would like to congratulate the Chief Justice of Odisha High Court, Justice S. Muralidhar, Patron-in-Chief of SLSA. The people of Odisha are very fortunate to have such an active and welfare-oriented judge as their Chief Justice.

CJI Ramana: Justice Muralidhar has always championed the cause of the marginalized and underprivileged.

CJI Ramana thanks Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Executive Chairman SLSA, and Justice CR Dash, Chairman, SLSA.

CJI Ramana: The power and strength of any justice-delivery system is derived from the faith of the people in it. The Bar and Bench need to work in conjunction to affirm the faith that a citizen has in the justice delivery system. We are mere custodians.

CJI Ramana again recites in Odia, quoting Utkala Mani Gopa Bandhu Das.

CJI Ramana concludes address.

The Event has concluded after the concluding address given by Justice SK Mishra, Orissa High Court.