The Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce Madhya Pradesh commemorated its third-year
anniversary with an event marking the fourth anniversary of E-mediation Writings, illuminating the theme of 'Empowering India with a Mediation Mindset on June 02 at Bhopal.
The event garnered participation from luminaries such as Hon’ble Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai Patel, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice JK Maheshwari, Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and
Chairperson of Armed Forces Tribunal, Justice Rajendra Menon, as well as esteemed judges from various high courts.
The proceedings commenced with a gracious welcome by National Member of WICCI Adv Neena Khare. In his inaugural address, Chief Guest and Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai Patel, highlighted the pivotal role of mediation in the judicial landscape, emphasizing the imperative for youth engagement in advocating its merits.
Governor Patel particularly urged for focused efforts in tribally dominated areas to ensure
equitable access to dispute resolution mechanisms, especially for economically and socially marginalized communities.
During a special address, Guest of Honour, Justice JK Maheshwari, who also serves as the Visitor to Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur, delved into the rich tapestry of Indian cultural heritage, drawing parallels from ancient texts like the Ramcharitramanas and Mahabharata to illuminate the historical precedence of mediation.
Justice Maheshwari accentuated the significance of mediation in resolving familial disputes with impartiality and equanimity.
In his presidential address, Rajendra Menon, emphasised on the integration of professional mediation courses within educational institutions, elaborated the need for robust training infrastructure to nurture skilled mediators. Justice Menon implored Dharmashastra National Law University to spearhead similar initiatives to cultivate a generation adept in the art of mediation encouraging younger lawyers to take a step towards this path by skilling
themselves in and working in the area of mediation advocacy. Furthermore, he highlighted the mandatory guideline issued by the Bar Council of India on May 20, 2024, making mediation a compulsory subject. This guideline, initially communicated in 2020, includes a detailed syllabus and references for implementation by legal education centres. Justice Menon called upon institutions to adhere to the guideline and expressed hope for widespread adoption within a year.
The event culminated with the ceremonial launch of the E-Mediation Writing calendar by the EMW team, heralding a new chapter in the Chamber’s ongoing mission to foster a culture of constructive dispute resolution.
The inaugural panel discussion session centred around the transition from Mediation Advocacy: Competition to Collaboration, cahired over by the esteemed Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla, Judge, High Court of M.P. His discourse emphasized the pragmatic application of mediation methodologies. Joining the discussion as panellists were Shri Justice Vishal Dhagat, Judge, High Court of M.P and Justice Purushaindra
Kaurav, Judge, Delhi High Court. Justice Dhagat emphasised upon the mediative approach to arrive at a solution in a collaborative, consensus-building manner involving far more than just the practice of law. Justice Kaurav, drawing from Munshi Premchand’s writings, eloquently illustrated neutral dispute resolution techniques embedded within rural narratives. He further elaborated on the mediation practices followed since the medieval times.
