The chief justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai re-lived his school days as he visited his alma mater Holy Name High School on Friday. Motivating the current students, he pressed on the importance of hard work, dedication and sacrifice for success and expressed gratitude to his alma mater for teaching the values of equality and secularism.
In the bylanes of Wodehouse Rd in Colaba that houses two of the oldest convent schools of Mumbai, the Holy Name High School draped itself in a festive mood as it felicitated its most prominent alumni who climbed up the ranks to become the top judicial officer of the country. The school celebrated the most iconic day in its history since in 1939 as Gavai visited his alma mater for the first time since he passed out after completing his secondary education in 1976.
Attending a felicitation ceremony organised by the school to celebrate its alumni’s achievement, the CJI recalled his old days in the school and its impact on his life. He reflected that the school taught him the values of integrity, truthfulness, love, affection as well the principles of equality. He said that along with moral science, the school also taught him the principles of hard work which has immensely contributed to his journey of becoming the 52nd CJI.
“My father always believed in secularism and my mother would always push me to pray at the houses of worship for all religions. At school, I got to make friends from every community, including Catholics, Muslims, Parsis as well as the Kolis from Colaba Koliwada. The school has always served students from all stratas of the society, which taught me the principles of equality,” he said adding that he would do his best in his tenure to uphold the school’s name.
Gavai received a wholesome welcome from the students as they gathered across all the three floors of the school to catch a glimpse of their role model. They decorated the school, drew his portrait and performed dances to celebrate the day, which they believe was probably the only occasion that they had such a high ranking individual amidst them. The CJI also interacted with the students and answered the questions from some curious minds about his journey, profession and memorable school days.
Talking to The Free Press Journal, the school’s principal Sister Lawrencea said that the school’s records from the 1970s graded Gavai as a very good student. Congratulating him for his appointment as the CJI, she said, “It is a matter of immense joy and pride for our entire school to witness one of our very own to reach the highest echelon of Indian judiciary. His remarkable journey from the classrooms of Holy Name High School to the apex court of the nation serves as an inspiration to every student who walks through our gates. His dedication, integrity and unwavering commitment to justice reflects the values we hold here.”
