Symbiosis Law School, Pune, together with the Symbiosis School of International Studies and Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, constituents of Symbiosis International University, organized the Common Commencement Programme 2016 to welcome the new batch of Under Graduate and Post Graduate students, on 6 th August, 2016 at SVC Auditorium, Viman Nagar, Pune.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Advocate Ram Jethmalani, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, SIU. Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director, Symbiosis, Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Dean, Faculty of Law, SIU, Prof. Shivali Lawale, Director SSIS, Pune and Prof. Anita Patankar, Director SSLA Pune also graced the occasion.
The programme redefined the essence and reaffirmed the warmth of the concept of “The world as one family.” It began with the auspicious lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, followed by the opening remarks by Dr. Shashikala Gurpur where she highlighted how students at Symbiosis are offered a rich menu of interdisciplinary courses, a privilege not many single discipline colleges can boast of. Another hallmark of the university is its community outreach programme impacting the society of Pune, in which Symbiosis Law School has been a frontrunner with tie ups with District Jail, Pune and District Court, overseeing one of the most efficient legal aid cell in the country. She closed her address by emphasising upon the importance of education reflecting the identity of democratic polity of India with students being future sentinels of justice.
Dr. Rajani Gupte, in her welcome address spoke about the ardent commitment of the Symbiosis community and the strong and diverse faculties offered by the university. She stated as to how interaction with these multi-disciplines would create a massive influence in their choices in future.
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar addressed the audience emphasizing on the wide ranging disciplines being taught to a multitude of students by the Symbiosis fraternity and the value they hold in the development of each student’s distinct personality. Mentioning that internationalisation is in the DNA of Symbiosis, she urged interaction amongst students from various parts of the world and laid importance on the ability to say no to things that would not make us proud of ourselves.
Dr. S. B. Mujumdar welcomed the new batch on behalf of the Symbiosis family, calling them the wealth of Symbiois. Urging students to take care of their health, time and studies, he asked students to spend few minutes of everyday imagining as ‘imagination is the mother of innovation’ and it is innovation that will make them successful.
The Chief Guest for the event, Adv. Ram Jethmalani, thereafter took to the stage, inspiring the audience and describing the importance of the role of economists, lawyers and politicians in the country. Imparting various lessons from his life history, he mentioned the importance of religious harmony. He asked budding lawyers to educate themselves in various disciplines as lawyers who only know law are masons not architects of the society and our country needs architects.
Exploring the dimensions of our democracy Adv Jethmalani added that secularism is the superiority of science and knowledge over ignorance. He further stressed on the gravity of religious differences and the threat they pose to a secular country and extolled the Constitution as the only guardian of secular interests. The pertinent peril of the ISIS did not escape his watchful observations, and he criticized the movement as a misinterpretation of the principles of Islam. He urged the students, to finally educate themselves and not be mere spectators in the society but speak up to idiosyncrasies and injustice. His words and wisdom thoughtfully echoed long after his speech.
The first session came to an end with the vote of thanks by Prof. Shivali Lawale, Director, SSIS.
Dr. Rajesh Shinde, briefed the audience of the health care facilities provided by Symbiosis Centre for Health Care (SCHC) and Ms. Shweta Sharma, apprised the audience of the University Sports Board and RWC services in our Campus and also at SIU for shaping the physical and mental health of students and other roles they play in the student life.
The programme also witnessed a panel discussion on substance abuse by Mr. Shrikant Navale, Inspector in-charge, Anti Narcotic Cell, Police Crime Branch, Pune city, Mr. Nihar Hasabnis, Associate, Muktangan Mitra, Mr. Praraprao Kolte, API Viman Nagar Police Station, Mr. Sali, API, Anti-Narcotics Cell, Pune City and Prof. Santosh Aghav, Faculty Member , Crisis Manage Committee, SLS, Pune.
Event of the day concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Bindu Ronald, Deputy Director SLS, Pune.
