Hailed as the “people’s judge”, the jampacked auditorium at the SC’s extension block stood testimony to Former CJI Ramana popularity. He received a standing ovation before and after his speech from thousands who had gathered at the auditorium.
In a farewell function organised by Supreme Court Bar Association outgoing (CJI) NV Ramana conveyed his gratitude with his warm words to everyone. He was very happy to meet all his friends and family who have been with him over the years. He thanked everyone for coming together and pouring their blessings on him and his family.
In his speech, he talked about his family and said, “His journey has been made possible with the countless sacrifices made by his dear parents Shri Ganapati Rao and mother Smt. Sarojini Devi. His wife Sivamara stood by him like a rock through thick and thin. She has been an equal partner to all his struggles and successes.” He also mentioned his daughters.
NV Ramana’s life journey began in the remote village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, which lacked electricity, roads and basic amenities. He saw electricity for the first time when he was 12 years old.
Around the same time, he was learning the alphabet in English. He traveled to school on muddy roads, across fields and across streams. He thanked his first gurus, that is his parents and various public school teachers.
At the young age of 17, he was able to lead a union with about 10,000 workers. At the same time, he was able to lead students, farmers and employees.
As a first-generation lawyer, he has faced many challenges in his life and discovered that hard work is the only shortcut to success.
NV Ramana also stated that “he wants every advocate to remember that sometimes life scares you, and beats you up, but there is a day when you realize that you are not just a survivor, you are a warrior. You are tougher than anything that is thrown your way.”
NV Ramana quoted Martin Luther King’s statement that “the ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”.
He said, “As a judge, he has always believed that the ultimate purpose of justice is to bring justice to the common man.”
In his earlier speech he has explained how difficult the life of a judge is, health will also be ruined. He said, Only judges and lawyers understand this aspect of a judge’s life.
Justice Ramana talked about people Expectations from a judge. He said, “Expectations are very high when it comes to being a judge. In a cricket match, a player must hit 6 with any ball he play. After all, everyone loves hitting his six and winning awards for themselves and their teams. However, only the player knows how to handle each ball.”
NV Ramana was happy to inform and thankful to his collegium judges and consulting judges, in the last 16 months they had appointed 11 judges to the Apex Court and 224 judges for the various High Courts.
Due to their efforts they could make significant progress in appointing more female judges and promoting diversity. Judicial issues cannot be considered in isolation. The judiciary is independent in deciding cases but remains dependent on the government for finances and appointments.
He thanked Media for their co-operation. He said, “The media are very cooperative in disseminating information about the judiciary. They share the same burden of dispelling myths and notions and he also thanked all the journalists for their diligent, efficient and prompt coverage of the Supreme Court hearings.”
NV Ramana expressed his views about leaving the office with feelings of supreme satisfaction. He said, “If you judge me as a judge, I might be judged as an ordinary judge. I can be judged as a person who has faithfully followed the rules of the game and has not entered the prohibited area.”
