From the Ghats to the Courtroom

"I’m from the holy city of Mathura, where tradition permeates every area and faith flows with the Yamuna. I grew up surrounded by the comfort of familiarity and the rhythm of prayers, surrounded by timeless stories and deeply held convictions. But despite the city’s rich heritage, I cultivated an ambition of advocating for change and influencing justice. I became a lawyer as a result of that goal, and I attended a university in a distant place with no ties to my history.

It wasn’t an easy transition to leave Mathura and venture into the unknown. It was a risky move. I choose this university because I understood what I wanted to do and I thought this institution could help me get there, not because I knew a lot about it. It was a brave choice, motivated by optimism and a vision that was well outside of my comfort zone. I anticipated demanding lectures, difficult case studies, and a fierce competition before I arrived. But I discovered something deeper. I felt the weight of the law here, in addition to learning it. It caused me to think, feel, and wonder. I’ve witnessed how regulations affect people’s lives and how theory meets reality. During this process, I have begun to improve not only as a student but also as a person.

It’s not simple being in the Faculty of Law. The deadlines, the arguments, the reading, and the performance pressure are all unrelenting. The challenge was exacerbated by being separated from Mathura, the cultural birthplace, and by the absence of familiar faces. However, each obstacle strengthened resilience. I learned things outside of the classroom from every setback, every victory, and every late night spent getting ready for a moot court. I have changed as a result of this adventure.

From a timid idealist who once stood atop Mathura’s Ghats to a person who can now stand, talk, and argue with passion and clarity. This school has helped me become more like the person I always wanted to be, not a different person.

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