Hyderabad, July 12 (Reporter) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, CJI was delivering the convocation address at the 22nd Annual Convocation of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad today. During his address he urged the legal fraternity to uphold integrity, remain grounded in legal fundamentals, seek mentorship, and prioritise mental well-being. Praising NALSAR’s journey since its inception in 1998, Justice Gavai described the institution as a beacon of legal scholarship in South Asia. “NALSAR has carved a distinct identity not just in India but across the region, with its academic excellence and commitment to the spirit of law,” he said, highlighting its research in areas like disability rights, gender justice, tribal rights, law and technology, and constitutional governance. He acknowledged the achievements of NALSAR alumni many of whom subsequently became senior advocates in the High Courts and the Supreme Court, legal scholars, policy experts, and international researchers. “Today, you are not just receiving degrees- you are joining a living tradition of impact and integrity,” he told the graduates. Justice Gavai offered candid advice about the challenges of the legal profession. “It is noble and important- but never easy. You will often question yourself and face pressures, but your belief, persistence, and presence will keep you going,” he said. Highlighting the often-overlooked issue of mental health, he called it a vital strategy for survival in the legal world. “This profession can be emotionally isolating and mentally demanding. Self-care is not indulgence—it is preservation,” he said, quoting activist Audre Lorde. He also addressed structural inequalities in the legal system. Citing global research, he noted that access to opportunity often depends more on institutional pedigree than on merit. “This is unfair, but real. We must confront this reality without accepting it,” he said, urging the profession to become more inclusive and equitable. Encouraging students to build strong legal foundations, he emphasised the importance of mastering the basics- constitutional law, contract law, civil and criminal procedure. “There is no shortcut to legal excellence,” he said. “Trends will come and go, but clarity in fundamentals will carry you through.” Speaking on mentorship, he called it a game-changer. “Not everything can be learned from books or judgments. Some lessons are passed on through conversation, guidance, and encouragement,” he said. “Seek mentors with integrity, and one day, become a mentor yourself.” Justice Gavai also advised students to carefully consider foreign education. “A foreign degree is not a stamp of worth. Do not put yourself or your family under financial stress for validation,” he said, advocating for thoughtful planning over peer pressure. Calling for investment in India’s postgraduate legal education and research, he said, “We must build nurturing academic ecosystems that retain and welcome talent, restore dignity to legal research, and offer transparent opportunities.” He ended his address with heartfelt advice to the graduates: “Never ignore five things- friends, family, books, hobbies, health, and imagination. The law is not just a profession- it is a canvas to express, reform, and heal.” The convocation was presided over by Justice Sujoy Paul, Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court and Chancellor of NALSAR. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Supreme Court Judge Justice P S Narasimha graced the ceremony as Guests of Honour. Several other judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with Telangana Ministers, were present at the convocation, celebrating the achievements of graduating students, postgraduates, and Ph.D. scholars...////...