JOIN USGeeta Madhavan’s class is usually packed to capacity: just as it was when I was a student, hanging onto her every word.
She was my first initiation into law - and continues to be the same for many, many young aspirants. But here’s what’s different about her. Geeta, the country’s first woman PhD in Law on International Terrorism, likes to teach as well as take on the giants – think nations fighting it out over land; think terrorism and attempts to punish it with legalese; think laws governing the high seas… When she had decided to focus her research on international terrorism way back in the late 1980s, everyone had been surprised; after all, this wasn’t something that India was contending with at the time. Two decades later, she is one of the select few lawyers who have an in-depth understanding of terrorism, maritime laws, extradition, human rights and refugees rehabilitation.
Off-beat education
Geeta always loved history; she grew up reading about the two World Wars and their aftermath. That paved the way for a keen interest in international law. “After completing my undergraduate studies in English Literature, I opted to do law as my ambition was to pursue a career in the foreign service. It was a dream nurtured by my father right from my school days. However, while pursuing my LLB degree in Bangalore I was completely hooked to studying law; international law in particular.
Eventually, although I did sit for the Civil Services exam, I also became an advocate and set up my practice at the Madras High Court. At the same time, I signed up for an masters degree in International Law at Madras University. It was while I was working on my dissertation topic, international drug trafficking and control, that I came across the topic of terrorism,” she reveals, during a free-wheeling chat.
“It was happening in places far away from India but I wanted to know more and so I went on reading about it. I clearly remember that it was only after the assassination of Rajeev Gandhi in 1991 that we started giving greater importance to international terrorism. This tragedy marked the entry of international terror in the country. The little work done on the subject and the meagre material available on it motivated me to delve deeper and I decided to do my doctorate in it,” she elaborates.
Having chosen what most considered an “off-beat path”, Geeta’s choice left many surprised, “Several people advised me to do a PhD on something that would be monetarily beneficial but my heart was set on pursuing this significant issue.”
Awards and accolades
Her detailed research and writings were very well-received. In 1997, she was conferred with an award from The Hague Academy of International Law for her advanced doctoral research. “I was the only Asian to have got this honour that year and one among three in the world. After years of hard work, even as I ran a home, looked after my little son and taught as a guest faculty at Madras University, I received my PhD in 2000,” she recalls with a smile.
In fact, after the devastating 9/11 terror attacks her opinion as an expert on international terrorism was sought by several international TV channels and news outlets. “Since then, I have been travelling, writing on terrorism and its various aspects. Later, I established a very successful think tank in Chennai as well,” she shares.
In time, India’s unique geographical position and its strategic importance in the Indian Ocean region also drew Geeta to explore the maritime threats before the country. With our long and vulnerable coastline, I felt a shift in terrorism from the seas was inevitable. Unfortunately, these fears came true with the 26/11 assault. Today, I’m always on the job as terrorism has become virulent; hardly any nation has been left untouched,” she points out.
A book of poems
Apart from conducting her own research, Geeta is committed to passing on her knowledge and encouraging young people to take up a career in law. She painstakingly trains young people, giving them copious reading materials besides holding long-drawn interactive sessions – things that she had found lacking when she was in their place.
Her packed schedule doesn’t keep her away from her interests, “I write poetry and enjoy blogging whenever I can!” Incidentally, these days, she is putting together her collection of poems besides a book on terrorism, both of which are slated to be published by the end of this year.
Ask Geeta if she has any words of advice for those who may aspire to follow in her footsteps, and she keeps it simple. “Find your niche. And once you have that figured out, focus on it with all your heart. There is no point doing anything that does not give you happiness.”