The Central University organised a one-day national colloquium on “legal education in post-modern India” at the new campus of the University at Sunabeda.
The programme was presided over by Prof Jayadev Pati while the Registrar of the University Prof AK Mishra gave welcome address. In his opening remarks, he stressed on the role of lawyer in shaping the future of the society. Prof Mishra opined that in the era of globalisation, legal profession in India has to cater to the needs of a new brand of legal consumers. legal education is not a means for social control but an instrument of social change, he opined.
Utkal University law Professor PK Sarkar spoke at length about the current status of legal education in India, which needs a reorientation in the light of international changes that are taking place in the sphere of law. “In the 21st century, new concepts of law have emerged and the need of the hour is to include and teach it under the new law course curricular. Most important is quality legal education. India lost the cases of turmeric and Basmati rice to the US due to the absence any prominent legal experts. Now, we won the ginger case at the international level due to the expert lawyers only,” Sarkar told.
Jeypore Bar Council president BP Patro analysed the history of legal education in India as well as at the international level. He stressed on the need of making rural people aware of the law education, which will be helpful in making a healthy society.
Prof Pati stressed the need for legal education in tribal areas like Koraput which will enable the people have awareness on legal matters.
He said that though education is necessary, legal education is more necessary. More money is spent on general education than on legal education, he said.
Dr Kapila Khemundu proposed the vote of thanks. The colloquium was attended by prominent legal experts, educationists, researchers and students. Two brainstorming sessions were conducted during the colloquium where experts spoke extensively on the issue of legal education in post-modern India.