“A Dream He Could Not Fulfil Himself”
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Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai got emotional while recalling his father’s struggles and sacrifices. With teary eyes, he said his father had “a dream he could not fulfil himself” but passed it on to him.
In an emotional moment, Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai opened up on Friday, sharing personal stories that showed a very different and human side of him.
Speaking with teary eyes and a choked voice, the Chief Justice spoke about the struggles his parents went through to raise him, and how deeply his father’s dreams shaped his own life.
He mentioned,
“I wanted to be an architect,”
The CJI said,
“But my father had different dreams for me. He always wanted me to become a lawyer, a dream he could not fulfil himself,”
Gavai, who took office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India last month, spoke at an event organized by the Nagpur district court bar association to celebrate his elevation to the highest judicial role in the country. However, it was his personal insights that struck a chord with the audience.
He became emotional while recounting the impact of his parents on his life.
Gavai noted,
“My father gave himself to the service of Ambedkar. He wanted to be an advocate himself but couldn’t fulfil that wish as he was arrested for being part of the freedom movement,”
He added,
“We were a joint family with many kids, and all the responsibility came on my mother and aunt,”
To honor his father’s aspirations, he set aside his dream of becoming an architect.
Gavai said,
“Later, when my name was recommended for the post of a judge in the high court, my father said if you remain a lawyer, you will only go after money, but if you become a judge then you will walk on the path laid down by Ambedkar and do good for society,”
His father had also believed that his son would eventually become the Chief Justice of India, although he did not live to witness that achievement, Gavai shared.
He added,
“We lost him in 2015, but I am glad my mother is there,”
Sensing the audience’s emotional response, the Chief Justice lightened the atmosphere by recalling a humorous incident involving actor Hema Malini, who had a cheque bounce case in the Nagpur district court.
He and former CJI Sharad Bobade were set to represent her.
Gavai also mentioned his intention to write a memoir after retiring in November this year,
“There was so much crowd in the courtroom that day to get a glimpse of Hema Malini,” he chuckled, “but we couldn’t help but enjoy the moment amidst the flurry.”
