A copy of memoirs of former Chief Justice of India PN Bhagwati titled 'My Tryst with Justice' was presented to the President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today (December 12, 2012) by Chief Justice of India Shri Altamas Kabir at a function held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said the book would be a guiding light and an inspiration for not just law students, legal practitioners and judges but also every common person concerned about social justice in our country. The book would be a prized possession for every Indian who wants to make a difference to the world and who aspires for a world more just. The President said Justice P.N. Bhagwati is much more than a great jurist, an extraordinary judge and an ambassador of human rights across the world. He is a humanist whose heart aches for marginalized and forgotten millions.

The President said Justice Bhagwati is a pioneer of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India, promoter of the right to legal aid and emissary of Lok Adalats. He converted the courtroom into a site of people's struggle in humanizing law. Justice Bhagwati epitomizes how a judge can be instrumental in espousing the cause of justice to the millions of deprived Indians who are standing in the waiting room of history to become the subjects of justice.

External Affairs Minister Shri Salman Khursheed and Minister of Law and Justice Shri Ashwani Kumar also participated in the function.

This release issued at 1915 hrs