Greetings and Welcome. We are about to embark on a voyage, on a five year association, on a road less travelled. The Upanishads advise us, “If you have an hour to cut a tree spend three quarters of that time sharpening your axe”. For most of the five years at law college, we intend to use a whetting stone.

We often wonder what prompts youngsters, who are novices in contemporary law in making career decisions. How do they decide which college to opt for or for that matter would be the winning combination?

We are told there are more than ten Law Colleges under Mumbai University offering the 5 Year integrated law programme. Some of you would probably be deliberating as to how this SVKM institution would be any different?

We take pride in sharing our deep seated desire with you which is that we like to chart our own journey of excellence. We do not want to follow the crowd, nor, do we wish to follow conventions. We would rather go our own way and break the mould! No bench marks for us; we believe in creating our own bench marks. Today, we welcome you, to join our quest.

A ship, it is said, is safe in a harbour. But ships are not meant to be anchored in harbours! We offer you a vibrant, dynamic and intellectual environment on the campus. A vibrant environment is what you can look forward to, on the eighth floor. The college strives at nurturing your potentials, unearthing your talents and providing ample opportunities for you to grow.

We would not hesitate to hold your hand and re-teach you the alphabet, just as we would not hesitate to pull you up when you have erred! In no small measure would you find affection and warmth on the campus. Soon it would be your daily dose of TLC. Life is what we make it, always has been and always will be. What the next fire years have in store for you, is for you is to explore, enjoy and enrich the self. The college is often a mere catalyst.

As we march together, let us not forget, that the marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of its rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. Life’s battle is not assigned to the stronger or faster man; but sooner or later the man who wins, is the one who thinks he can. So join us in the resolve to find a way or make a way when we call upon our colleagues to Raise the Bar.

Dr. Navasikha Duara