PEOPLES' PRESIDENT

‘PEOPLES’ PRESIDENT’

BY

J.L. GUPTA

A Constitutional office certainly carries with it certain unwritten fringe benefits. I experienced this during my short stint in the State of Kerala. It was the year 2003. The President of India, Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM was visiting the State. I was one of  the persons invited to receive His Excellency at the Naval Airport in Cochin. Normally, the invitation posed no problem. But on this occasion, the visit was on a day when the Court was open and I had to be on duty at the time of the landing of the President’s plane. So, a letter of Regrets and request for meeting during  the Lunch interval was sent. It was graciously accepted.  I was with the President at the appointed time of 1.20PM.

He was not a person who could be a mere figurehead. No!  Far from it. I was face to face with an extremely curious, intelligent and sharp person who was accurate on facts and precise in his language. Talking to me, he wanted to know the cause of delay in the decision of cases; the reasons for still following the archaic and old laws and also the justification for more than one Appeal in every case. And so on. It was clear that there were good reasons for which, he had earned the respect of  everyone.  Not  only in India but Internationally.

He did not merely occupy the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He brought dignity, grandeur and honour to the Office. Sanctity to the Presidential Seal.  Unfortunately, the cruel hands of death have snatched him from us. Today, he is no more in flesh and blood. But he would stay in our hearts as a great Indian  patriot (was not a politician)who, unlike many others devoted himself to making India richer, self-reliant and stronger. He made India a member of the ‘select nuclear club.’ He made every Indian feel ten feet tall.  Shall we ever have another who may be  like him.

Depends upon what we want. The Able or the Pliable.

CHIEF JUSTICE M.M. PUNCHHI - A BIG MAN BUT NO EGO

‘CHIEF JUSTICE M.M. PUNCHHI – A BIG MAN BUT NO EGO’

BY

J.L. GUPTA

MR. Madan  Mohan Punchhi was a known name at the Bar when I joined in the year 1963. Ultimately, we became almost neighbours in Sector – 8, CHANDIGARH. House Nos. 112 and 160. He was the big brother. Always generous, gracious and kind. One day, he asked me and Mr. R.N. Narula to accompany him to Ambala where he was going to argue an Appeal. We did. After the case, he took us to The KWALITY for LUNCH. And I had my first glass of BEER. ON THE WAY BACK, he stopped the car to pick up some farm fresh sugar-canes and items for Salad. Next day, Ravi & I were with him at his house in the evening. A big house. Nine cows with home grown green fodder. A look at the table showed that the MILK was being consumed at home only. I had to cross layers of Butter before being able to reach a piece of vegetable. Big bowls of creamy curd. All very rich. No wonder, when a person asked him ‘Sir! How much do you weigh?’ – the response was –

“Not much. Just 1 maund & 80 Kgs.” And yes. He carried it all very well. He was different from the others. His peers and Juniors alike. He stood out amongst the Elite. Always Dignified and Elegant. Never petty.

I have had some personal experiences. Having met a few times, he could see my appetite and thirst for butter milk. So, one morning on hearing the sound of a car, I came out. What did I see? Justice  Punchhi with a bucket full of butter milk. Can you believe this? And a few days later, he casually drove in. Saw me instructing the labour to properly dig the ground and lay the lawn. He quietly went home and came back driving the Tractor. Himself ploughed the land with the finesse of an expert in about half an hour. A job which was threatening to go on for days was done in a few minutes. And all very well done. He combined the best of a farmer and a legal craftsman in himself. Played the roles with equal ease.

When Mr. Ram Jethmalani’s book – ‘SMALL MEN BIG EGOS’ WAS  doing the rounds, Mr. Justice Punchhi’s elevation to the Supreme Court had brought   a breath of fresh air. Relaxing and refreshing for all sections of society.  Having reached the pinnacle in Judicial hierarchy, his feet had remained glued to the ground. He was the big brother. To everyone. The loss is irreparable. Shall there ever be another like him? In the for-seeable future.

 Time shall always find someone to fulfill the popular desires and dreams.