Happy Republic Day

Today, India stands tall and proud while she celebrates the 60th Republic Day. Everywhere, there is a festive air. Playschools and schools in Delhi celebrated the day before with kids dressing up as freedom fighters or leaders who gave India the strength and conviction to fight ahead peacefully for her freedom.

In Delhi, security has been beefed up at every spot.Passengers who plan to travel by air are advised to be reach early at the airport and be ready for several security checks before they can finally board their planes. In Bar Associations across the country, the Chief Justice of the respective High Courts will do the flag hoisting ceremony in the presence of other puisne judges and lawyers.

Let us hope and pray that the year 2010 will be a lucky and happy one for this country, the citizens like you and I and in particular, the young and brave men and women of the Indian defence forces who make it possible for us to sit comfortably in our homes and say this while they brave it out there. God bless them all!

Fishy is Good

Today is a Sunday. Sunday mornings are meant for brunch and totally relaxed but today I am excited because my clients called from Mumbai, promising me a very thoughtful yet strange gift. They are bringing fresh fish from Mumbai. And you know what, it's fresh, priceless fish!

They are from the fishing community in Maharashtra, a very traditional and patriotic community. The State government announced a policy to provide subsidized diesel to these fishermen to use in their fishing trawlers, mechanized fishing boats and so on. Each boat requires about 1,500 liters of diesel and they are out in the sea for about a fortnight or sometimes more. Two punps and connecting tanks were given to this community out of the retail outlet initially granted to a big, well known entity called X.

Since these fishermen found it convenient to let the retail outlet person continue the dispensing activities (which requires a little expertise). So, they entered into an agreement appointing the same person as their agent in return for a monthly sum. Now, there is an alleged dispute about the payment of monthly service charge. The retail outlet guy terminated the agreement with the fishing folks.

On behalf of the fishing community, we filed a suit for injunction before the city civil court in Mumbai. It was fully granted (with respect to 2 pumps and 2 connecting tanks). Then, the other side went to the High Court in appeal against the said interim injunction. The High Court modified the original injunction order and confined it to just one pump. Aggrieved by this, the retail outlet has filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court.

I am not just their lawyer but I am their friend. They tell me their worries and I worry with them because they are good people. They don't speak English with an accent, they don't wear suits or go to cocktails but they deserve justice because they are good, honest people who take great pride in their country and community.

And today, that will be my thought while I go to meet them and collect the gift they have brought for me, all the way from Mumbai.

Thank You for the Excellent Blog Award

I am really thankful to God for giving me an encouraging 'pat on the back' through my friends and visitors on this blog. Thank you, SG, for bestowing the Excellent Award. I am not sure if I am the right person for this honor but it means a lot to me that you thought I'm worthy.

Chinese Proverb: Cackling Hens Do not Lay Eggs

To understand a proverb is not easy.

In Asian culture, oral traditions are kept alive by proverbs that throw light on our cultural values and perspectives, along with a dash of history. In Kerala, there are so many interesting proverbs that the elders quote but it also has layers of meanings that one needs to delve into.

I've found it interesting to think about proverbs because they are similar to legal maxims. read this Chinese proverb, "Cackling hens do not lay eggs," I liked it instantly. Another one is "Cats who like to mew can't catch mice." Both mean that boastful people do not really do what they claim or say.

What is the proverb that comes to your mind? What does it mean?