Chief Justice

Leila Seth is the "first woman chief justice of a high court in India, first woman judge of Delhi High Court and first woman to top the Bar exams in London " (Times News Network, June 24, 2007, Pioneer in the courtroom).

Women's achievements still make the headlines as though it's extraordinary and amazing for a woman to be achieving like this. Let's now cross over from a decade of firsts to a decade of regular and always and but of course it's got to be a woman and who else could do it?! Kudos to Leila Seth, and all who strive for the cause! And I know quite a few.

As I think more, women have always flourished in the business of justice. Famous women and less famous women and even some infamous women have had opportunities to grace the bench. Mothers must mete out justice when their children fight. Teachers must ensure justice in class and between students. When children see justice being done, they implicitly learn the ways of justice. That is how a fair and just society is built brick by brick -- by example.

You and I are often faced with situations everyday where a decision must be made about right and wrong and what is fair and what is unfair. We may not always be conscious that we are members of an Honourable Bench, but yes we are. And justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. Does this apply to you?