MARGAO
Justice Mahesh Sonak of the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Saturday came out strongly against social media or mass media saying these had become weapons of mass distraction and that there were no concerted efforts yet to tackle them.
Delivering the inaugural lecture at the GRK Judiciary Talks, hosted by Govind Ramnath Kare College of Law, Margao, Justice Sonak said "today, we live in an age where we adore and glorify machines like computers and smartphones that think. But we are extremely suspicious or even wary of the human beings that attempt to think".
Saying the true purpose of education is not to fill one’s empty mind with facts and figures, he said education should aim to transform one’s closed mind into an open mind.
He said that the function of education is also enriching the character, developing intellectual integrity, a sense of values, and courage.
“Be on guard against becoming fanatics. A fanatic is a person who does not change her opinion, come what may, and does not allow you to change the topic. Usually, these are products of a very closed mind. A closed mind is not conductive to legal practice”.
Speaking further, he said “in law, we emphasize much on the principles of natural justice. One of the most important principles is that a person must be heard before any adverse order is made against her”.
Sonak also advised the legal fraternity and said that the duty of fairness to the Court and the Judicial system itself is the first duty that any lawyer owes to our judicial system. He advised lawyers never to suppress a relevant precedent in the belief that the other side or the judge may not know about it.
Justice Sonak also said the other hallmark of a student whose understanding has been enlightened is intellectual curiosity. “A well-formed mind is as rare as a well-lived life. Therefore, do not commit the error of going through your life merely by doing the routine chores day after day and year after year. Do not become mere passengers in this wonderful journey of life. Get interested in some hobby, take an interest in history or our country’s priceless heritage. Find out what gives you joy, and pursue that path”, he said.
He added: Style and fashion are fine. This is your age to indulge in style and fashion. Nobody would grudge you for indulging in them. But please remember that in the long run, style and fashion depend upon how you furnish your mind and thoughts. That is what gives a person poise, inner strength, and a sense of confidence to face the world.
Others present on the dais were Nitin Kunkolienkar, President of Vidya Vikas Mandal, Adv Pritam Morais, Vice President of Vidya Vikas Mandal and Dr Maria Goretti Simoes e Morais, Officiating Principal of G R Kare College of Law.
