The impulse to write about a branch of law was not a fleeting thought, but a spark that slowly fanned into a flame — I began with shorter articles but this desire went on to eventually birth my laborious yet fulfilling undertaking: a two-part treatise on the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Writing, much like advocacy, is an art and a skill to be honed. Yet, the desire to express one’s views often withers away for want of the right platform — a space where words find readers, and reflections find resonance.
In the legal profession, where visibility often intertwines with credibility, finding that right platform matters. Yet, I have come to learn that when the true purpose of writing is to express, the medium — whether digital or print — becomes secondary. Words, after all, have a way of finding their own audience.
This realization did not come easily. From my early days in the profession until now, I have seen that the road to publication can be just as demanding as the preparation for a case. Today, the legal fraternity in India is surrounded by a constellation of digital platforms — apps, journals, and fora — that instantly notify and amplify. Yet, not everyone stands on equal footing in this digital arena. Access, too, plays gatekeeper to ambition. But such barriers, I believe, should not dissuade one from the act of writing itself.
For a litigating lawyer, every day is spent toggling deadlines and duties. The challenges in seeing one’s hard work reflected in a judgment is no less than the struggle to bring one’s thoughts to acceptance in print.
There seems to exist a curious presumption that the busier a lawyer is, the fewer hours they can dedicate for pursuits of the mind, let alone other activities/hobbies which fuel one’s zest for hard work and a full life.
Yet, I have learned that one must make peace with such notions.
I, for One, have felt the sting of skepticism for devoting years to a commentary, or for daring to speak openly on matters of the profession and its many players.
Rejection, however bitter a pill to swallow, is only a test of resolve. The ability to pick up the pen again, to not let disapproval dampen your thoughts — that, to me, is victory enough. For someone not naturally gregarious or loquacious while networking, writing provides a real refuge — a sanctuary where one can breathe, reflect, and reconnoitre.
I believe that the call of the “silk” is more than a pursuit of prestige; it is a call to think, to engage, to guide, and to grow. And so, this humble space is my beginning — a platform not merely to express (ramble?) but to also connect. A place where thoughts about law, life, and learning may intermingle freely.
As I set foot into this corner of the digital world, I invite one and all — young minds, reflective readers, and curious peers — to join me in conversation and in the process, learn together. For in sharing our words, we might just rediscover the very purpose of the profession we hold dear.
