Inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebrations of Karnataka Law Society (KLS) and Raja Lakhamgouda Law College in Belgavi on Saturday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that we live in an age of technology and of entrepreneurship.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. It is changing how we live and work. It is also changing aspirations of our young people and our educational institutions have to become compatible with this quest for innovation and excellence. They have to become compatible with the 21stcentury,” said Kovind while also alluding to some challenges.
"The time span for an innovation to take place and for its mass application in society is shortening very sharply. This will throw up numerous challenges for law in areas such as genetic engineering, bioethics and artificial intelligence, among others. The legal profession has to respond quickly," he said while expressing confidence that our leading legal minds will put their thoughts into such matters. Kovind also cited the economic growth rate and added that the country is "brimming with opportunities."
On the subject of law, Kovind cited Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar and said: "Law was not a career, it was a calling. Much more than a means to earn a livelihood, it’s a mechanism to assist the cause of justice, to help the poorest and most unfortunate among us and to build a society and nation defined by adherence to rules, norms and fairness. Advocates and judges are in the ultimate analysis, seekers of truth."
Kovind also brought up the rich history of Belagavi city by remembering Swami Vivekananda's visit to the town in 1892 and added that the idea of Swami's participation at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago occurred to him here. Kovind also reminded the crowd that Bal Gangadhar Tilak had inaugurated the Home Rule Leauge in Belagavi in 1916.
"Over the years, Belagavi has emerged as a symbol of our nation and a notable home for our military community, our economic assets and, of course, for our cultural and classical music traditions,' said Kovind.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said it was the government’s resolve to shift various departments to Belagavi, the heart and soul of North Karnataka.
“We would like to reiterate that our government is development-centric and our commitment towards the development of this region will be evident in the programmes we implement here,” said the 58-year-old.
He also said Belagavi holds a special place in his heart.
"When I was chief minister during 2006-07, our government then held the legislative session for the first time in Belagavi, resulting in the construction of the magnificent Suvarna Vidhana Soudha," said Kumaraswamy.
Chief Justice of India Justice Dipak Misra said every member of the bar was an officer of the court and must guide judges.
Governor Vajubhai Vala, judges of the Supreme Court Justices Vineet Saran, Abdul Nazeer, Attorney General of India K K Venugopal, Member of Parliament Suresh Angadi and other dignitaries were present.
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