May 18, 2008

Music

Time to brag a little.

“Great music that is not in the mainstream needs a host – someone to bring you into the fold.” –John Mayer


And as part of a dedication to that host, I’ve
downloaded arguably some of the greatest music I’ve had, in the last 50-odd hours.

May 15, 2008

Little Juju


Roland Garros for me is the most looked-forward-to Grand Slam event. Yes. Even more than Wimbledon. Sadly, the Ladies Singles title this year becomes 'without-having-to-be-defended'.

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I always thought that she was the female counterpart of Bjorn Borg in more ways than one. Apart from the same coolness and calmness of Ice-Borg, she too retired on a high - at her prime, being the only women tennis player till date to retire when on top. Twenty-five. An age when most other players become great or grow greater.

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Sometimes, when someone leaves, you feel that a sort of void is created. That's exactly what I feel about women's tennis right now. You might say there is Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Venus Williams, and so many more. What's the big deal?
I mean. There's Ana Ivanovic.
But then.

Would you see that little girl, looking angelic in a white jacket walking into the court with her red Wilson kitbag again?
Would you ever see that coolness and elegance on the court again?
Would you see that greatest-backhand-ever (footnote: John McEnroe) again? - That high powered inside out single-handed backhand hit down the line, while the opponent lady is just changing the grip of her racquet, and after the ball passes by, she's left gaping. That disguised drop slice backhand. Would you ever see it again?
Would you see anyone as emotionally tough as her again?
Would you ever come across a lady who carries on her shoulders the hopes of an entire nation for an Olympic gold when she walks into the court?

Would you...?

May 13, 2008

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now - it's just a spring clean for the May Queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder.
And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know - the piper's calling you to join him
Dear Lady, can't you hear the wind blow, and did you know - your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

- Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven (written by: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, 1971).
[#31, RS 500 Greatest Songs of all Time]

May 02, 2008

My Hippocratic Oath

I have often been asked, “Would you defend a rapist if you know he committed the heinous crime?” And I have often responded by saying that I would because he is not guilty till he has been found by the Court to be. A variety of recent incidents and observations have made me relook the question, though my answer remains the same. I know that I’m going to appear in the Court about two years from now, in the capacity of an assisting counsel initially, and then I might find myself in such a situation (although the chances of it happening are very low) where I am asked to defend a horrendous criminal, perhaps a terrorist, a child molester or a serial killer.

As I look at it, for a person who respects the rule of law, the question of defending a rapist seems a silly one. For he would argue, “Well, sir, who are you to sit on judgement over him for raping a woman?” But a more practical person would retort, “The Court will take ages to convict him. And it is so obvious that he is guilty. Why should he roam around freely when he raped and killed six women?” True, our legal system is depressingly slow. But, is public ostracisation the solution? Some people might consider that to be the answer. But frankly, it is a hard choice. I think we, as subjects of a rule of law have no right to hijack the legal system. As I have earlier stated, it is the Court who is to decide, not me or you. In his latest post (which prompted me to write this), Vikram probably suggests something similar when he feels that a Public Interest Litigation should be filed against the Mysore Bar Association for issuing a fatwah of the kind it did. It is, in fact, a sad thing to happen that Bar Associations or the press prevent the smooth operation of law and fair trial.

In the Nuremberg trials too, the defendants who were charged with abetting the killing of millions of people were represented. You might argue that the reason for that was that the counsel who took up these cases felt it necessary to save the little left dignity to the Germans after the War and the Holocaust. I think there is a better reason. Everyone, never mind how degraded or horrible the criminal is, must be afforded a fair trial. No matter what. And if somebody has to do it, why not me? I know I will be sincere in doing it, and I shall do it – to the best of my ability. Without any manipulations. Without any trickery.

The job of everyone in a justice system is simple and well-defined. And if all do their job honestly and sincerely, there is no reason that justice, in its truest sense cannot be served. The job of the investigative agency is to produce all the evidence and witnesses before the Court. The job of the lawyer is to use this evidence and aid the Court to arrive at the correct conclusion as far as possible. He owes a duty to the Court and the decision-making process before his duty to the client. It is the job of the Bench, then, to judge.

So, even if I personally believe my client to be guilty, I, as a lawyer, am under the lawyers' version of a Hippocratic oath to defend him. My personal notions are entirely de-linked from my duty, which is above everything else.

At the end of it all, if I, as a lawyer, have done my job to the best of my ability and more importantly, honestly, I will walk back home as the happiest man.