Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu had the privilege of hosting Chief Guest  Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Executive Chairman, J&K  Legal Services Authority for a distinguished visit to the IIM Jammu Jagti Campus. This visit was followed by an  interaction with the IIM Jammu fraternity on the topic of an awareness program titled “Duties of a Citizen under the  Constitution of India” held at the “Mandapam” Auditorium. The event was graced by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM  Jammu. The visit featured a series of significant activities designed to foster interaction and collaboration between  the judiciary and the academic community. 

Present on the occasion were, Shri M.K Sharma, Principal Secretary to Hon'ble Chief Justice, Shri Amit Gupta,  Member Secretary, J and K Legal Services Authority, Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, Cmdr Kesavan  Baskkaran, Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Jammu, Ms. Mandeep Reen, Advocate, (Panel Lawyers), HCLSC,  Jammu, Ms. Smriti Sharma, Secretary, DLSA, Jammu and faculty, officers and students of the Institute.The itinerary  commenced with the arrival of the Hon’ble Chief Guest, who was warmly welcomed with a bouquet. This was followed  by a comprehensive campus tour, showcasing the smart classrooms, the state-of-the-art library “Nalanda,” the  hostels, and the Annapurna Dining Hall. This tour allowed Chief Guest Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief  Justice (Acting), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority to observe the  advanced facilities and vibrant academic environment at IIM Jammu. 

On the occasion, the Chief Guest Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of J&K and  Ladakh, planted a Rudraksh sapling, symbolizing a commitment to environmental sustainability and growth. Following  this, the Hon’ble Chief Guest, accompanied by the dignitaries, proceeded to the auditorium where the session  commenced with the National Anthem, instilling a sense of pride and patriotism among the attendees. 

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, felicitated Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (Acting), High  Court of J&K and Ladakh, while Ms. Mandeep Reen, Advocate (Panel Lawyers) HCLSC, Jammu, and Ms.Smriti  Sharma, Secretary, DLSA Jammu, was felicitated by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, on the momentous  occasion. During the occasion, the NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) Theme Song was showcased. This  addition underscored the commitment to legal awareness and the promotion of justice, aligning with the themes of  the event and enhancing the overall impact of the proceedings. 

In his welcome address, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director of IIM Jammu, welcomed everyone and expressed his gratitude  for their presence on this special occasion. He remarked that IIM Jammu, despite being a new campus, is quickly  making its mark. Though considered one of the newer IIMs, it has grown rapidly since its inception by the Ministry of  Education. From just 47 students, it has expanded to a community of 1,000 students, and its efforts have been  recognized with a ranking of 15th among all IIMs in India in NIRF Rankings. He emphasized the importance of  remembering both rights and duties as citizens of the largest democracy in the world. Often, people tend to forget  their responsibilities as citizens, but contributing to nation-building is a duty shared by all. He affirmed that IIM Jammu  is committed to upholding the Constitution, adhering to the laws and policies of the country, and striving for excellence  in all endeavours. He called for respect for the national flag and awareness of rights and duties as responsible  citizens. He encouraged everyone to continue working together for the betterment of the nation and to strive for  excellence in every pursuit. 

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, expressed his gratitude to  IIM Jammu for organizing the program, emphasizing its importance, particularly for the students. He highlighted the  significance of the Constitution of India, noting that it is one of the best in the world and addresses every aspect  concerning Indian citizens. He urged the students to spend five minutes reading the preamble, which can easily be  found on Google. He read the preamble, pointing out that it starts with "We, the people," and beautifully frames the  objectives of political unity and integrity of the nation. He requested everyone to take two minutes to go through it to  understand their duties. He also mentioned Article 51A, which details the duties of citizens and was subsequently  amended. He emphasized the relevance of the topic, stating that people often forget their rights and duties toward  the nation. Citizens should respect everyone with fairness and without discrimination. These duties are shared in  equality, and respecting and protecting India, safeguarding its stability, and reading the Constitution are  

indispensable. He mentioned that understanding and performing these duties promote appreciation for adversity,  critical thinking, and meaningful contribution to society. He pointed out that it is especially important for the younger  generation to understand their duty toward the nation, which includes protecting national property like gardens and  monuments. He reminded everyone that damaging national property results in a loss for everyone.  

He encouraged everyone to read Article 51A of the Constitution. He was impressed by the state-of-the-art library,  Nalanda, which is unique and first of its kind, and the smart classrooms, which are equipped with the latest  technology. He urged the students to take advantage of these facilities and congratulated Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director,  IIM Jammu, and his team for establishing such a state-of-the-art facility in the city of Jammu. 

Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, in his address, briefed the audience about IIM Jammu, its activities,  and its mission of making responsible citizens of the country. He spoke about IIM Jammu's academic activities, its  fast-paced growth in a short span of time, and the centers of excellence at the institute. He highlighted IIM Jammu's  commitment to socio-economic development, knowledge dissemination, entrepreneurship, and holistic development,  thereby contributing to the growth and development of the U.T. of Jammu and Kashmir and to nation-building. He  elaborated on the institute's focus on research publications, executive education and consultancy, and outreach  programs. He emphasized IIM Jammu's commitment to quality publications in A class journals. He highlighted the  various outreach activities of the Institute, which have significantly contributed to the institute's reputation. He noted that today, IIM Jammu has 1034 students, reflecting the institute's rapid growth and increasing popularity. He assured  that the focus remains on maintaining high-quality education and research, ensuring that IIM Jammu continues to  thrive and contribute to the nation's development. 

This was followed by an insightful presentation by Ms. Mandeep Reen, Advocate (Panel Lawyers), HCLSC, Jammu,  who addressed the audience on the duty of every human being to safeguard public property and avoid resorting to  violence under any circumstances. She emphasized that when individuals and societies uphold these principles, both  the nation and the entire society rise towards excellence. She discussed the importance of collective responsibility  and highlighted that societal issues such as drug abuse and molestations often stem from a lack of awareness and  inaction. She noted that these problems are exacerbated by inequality and emphasized the need for greater legal  awareness among citizens to address these challenges effectively. 

The visit concluded with an engaging interaction session, where students and faculty had the opportunity to interact  with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Executive Chairman,  J&K Legal Services Authority fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the judicial system. 

Ms. Smriti Sharma, Secretary, DLSA Jammu, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all the dignitaries  and participants. The event culminated with a group photograph, followed by a High Tea, providing a platform for  informal discussions and networking. 

This visit underscores IIM Jammu's commitment to creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment, bridging  the gap between academia and the judiciary, and nurturing future leaders who are well-versed in legal and ethical  standards.