Personal relationships outlast professional applause: Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant to lawyers

Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court recently said that true fulfilment in the legal profession cannot come from professional achievements alone but must be rooted in relationships, community and compassion..He underlined that happiness at home shapes happiness outside and that personal relationships outlast professional applause.Addressing graduates at the combined convocation ceremony of Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) in Visakhapatnam, Justice Kant emphasised that the practice of law could often feel adversarial and isolating but lawyers must resist the temptation to put personal ties aside.He said fulfilment lies not in isolation but in the strength of relationships and community.“Fulfilment in this profession is not found in isolation - instead, it flourishes in community and connection,”.The judge compared life to a Grand Prix race, telling students that family and friends serve as a “pit crew” providing support and strength in difficult times. “The laughter, comfort, and love waiting for you after a tough day in court gives you the strength to face whatever comes next. Never underestimate the value of that pit stop,” he said.Justice Kant also urged the graduating students to embrace uncertainty and be open to reinvention, noting that passion is not always discovered at once but nurtured through experience..He reflected on his own early career choices, recalling how he once withdrew from a judicial services interview on the advice of a High Court judge and later pursued a Master’s degree while already serving on the Bench.“It was these uncertain moments - the ones faced with trepidation - that proved to be stepping stones. Had I not embraced those changes and actively sought them at various times, I might not be standing before you today,” he said.Speaking on the evolving nature of purpose, Justice Kant advised students not to fear changing directions in life and law, as growth rarely follows a straight line.“Permit yourself to evolve and adapt, for the simple reason that growth rarely proceeds in a straight line,” he said..Justice Kant told graduates that success in law and life is measured not only in intellectual strength but in compassion, kindness and the ability to sustain bonds that give meaning to professional achievement.“Dare to be different. Dare to be kind. Dare to find happiness, both inside and outside your professional life,” he said..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.