Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon’ble Chief Minister,
Shri P.V. Abdul Wahab, Member of Parliament, Chairman, Keraleeyam
Padmashri Prof N. R. Madhava Menon,
Prof. Dr. S. Sivakumar, Member, Law Commission of India
Shri G. Rajamohan, Working Chairman, Keraleeyam,
Shri Sarosh P Abraham, Vice Chairman, Keraleeyam
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Madhyama Suhruthukale
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to address you all as Chief Guest at the Civic Reception called to felicitate Prof. S. Sivakumar, Full time Member, 21st Law Commission of India. It is certainly a matter of great joy and pride especially to people in Thiruvananthapuram that a person hailing from this district has received such an elevation. Let me, at the outset, congratulate Prof. Sivakumar on his new role and share your joy in his achievement.
As a person hailing from the judiciary, I have observed the activities of the Law Commission from time to time and I have immense regard for the involvement of the Commission in Law reforms and in examining the impact of Laws on social issues like poverty and inequality.
The terms of reference of the Law Commission includes Repeal or review of Laws which may be deemed unnecessary or irrelevant or not in tune with the existing economic and social climate. It also considers the references made by different Ministries and Expert groups on the need for amendments to Laws.
Most importantly, it reviews and improves the system of judicial administration in the country and brings modifications to eliminate delays in justice delivery and to simplify procedures. It can also suggest new legislations that may be needed to implement the Directive Principles and the objectives set in the Preamble of our Constitution. Therefore, the tenure as a member of the Law Commission for a term of three years, is in fact, the golden opportunity to offer a great service to the people of this nation.
Currently, one of the matters being considered by the Law Commission is related to the enactment of the Uniform Civil Code. We can imagine the magnitude of the deliberations in this regard. This, I must say, would be a real challenge.
I know Prof. S. Sivakumar for the past 10 years, from his days as a Professor in the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi. As most of you would know, it is the most prestigious Legal Research Institute in the country, functioning directly under the Chief Justice of India, who officiates as its President.
I had to closely associate with the Indian Law Institute in various capacities. As Chief Justice, I was its President. Earlier, I had been Chairman of Academic Council, and other Committees. I remember Prof. Sivakumar's service as Member-Coordinator of Supreme Court Restatement of Law Project Committee constituted by Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in the year 2009 where-in I was the Chairman of the Committeeon Legislative Privilege. We could bring three Restatements in 2011 on Legislative Privilege, Contempt of Court and Public Interest Litigationwhich received high appreciation from the bar and the bench.
I have also seen Prof. S. Sivakumar working untiringly for National Legal Services Authorities (NALSA) and various committees. The Chief Justice of India had also nominated him asMember-Chief Co-ordinator for National Committee for Para Legal Training and Legal Aid Activities, for which I was the Chairman. His assistance in this regard always revealed his social commitment.
What I found quite noteworthy in Prof. Sivakumar was his willingness to take up responsibilities. He had discharged the responsibility as Officiating Director of Indian Law Institute in 2009 and Director in Charge of the Institute from 2011 to 2013, quite well, proving his flair for academics and legal research.
As a person specialized in press and media laws, he co-ordinated and assisted the Supreme Court for organizing programmes for Journalists on REPORTING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS BY MEDIA AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. The training benefited several journalists in reporting court proceedings.
I feel that Prof. Sivakumar's experience in handling media laws and media relations should be put to use in the present standoff between media persons and lawyers in Kerala. With media undergoing several changes in style and operation, society needs to look at its role in relation to other significant democratic institutions in a more constructive way. This can begin with the relations with the Judiciary, since every action of the judiciary is linked to the welfare of the people and society at large. As a comparatively younger member of the Law Commission, and especially as a person well versed in Media Laws, he can suggest better and happier ways of interaction between the Legal and journalistic fraternity.
I compliment Keraleeyamfor organizing this function in a befitting manner. I understand that this organization has been active in the promotion of Kerala culture and in rehabilitation of the terminally ill.
I also take this opportunity to wish Prof. Sivakumar the professional excellence and a keener sense of social commitment to suggest appropriate legal reformations during his tenure as Member, Law commission.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
