On 22.01.2023, (after 55 years of active practice) I did not fail to remember with a sense of deep gratitude to my mother Mrs. Thangam and my brother Mr. K.Arumugaperumal, who with great confidence in me flushed out money for my studies all through. My sister-in-law Mrs. Eswaravadivu and my sister K. Padmavathi helped me a lot for making me a man of this stature. Above all, at home, my wife D. Renganayagi has created congenial atmosphere for my professional achievements.

My facebook posting on 22.01.2019 reads: “Today a day to remember my parents. Today is the day my beloved mother’s ambition to see me a lawyer with the support of my great father got fulfilled.

Today, I step into 55th year of practice as advocate in the Tamilnadu Bar Council. I remember my brother Mr. K. Arumugha Perumal with gratitude for his unstinted support for my studies. I thank God for all the goodness showered on me”.

Having enrolled myself on 22.01.1969, I had to search for a senior who was well versed in law and having a successful tenure. On 25.01.1969, I went to the Bar Association, Nagercoil to meet my friend Mr. C. Sivaraja Pandian. Mr. R. Krishnaswamy Pillai, Senior Advocate, Mr. C. Sivaraja Pandian and I were sitting in the veranda of the Bar Association. I saw a ‘handsome dark man’, more darkened by the coat he wore, waiting for someone. I asked Mr. C. Sivaraja Pandian who he was. My friend told me that he was senior Advocate Mr. D. Packia Raj. Already senior advocate Mr. M. Soundara Pandian, my well wisher and a relative, and was a junior to Mr.D. Packia Raj advised me to join the office of Mr. D. Pakia Raj. On seeing him, I was quite impressed. I waited for his departure from the Bar Association to his home nearby. I followed him and reached his office. When he saw me he queried “நீ யாரப்பா” I replied, “நான் B.L Pass பண்ணியிருக்கிறேன். உங்களிடம் Junior ஆக வரலாம் என்று ஆசைப்படுகிறேன்”. Immediately, he questioned உனக்கு எந்த ஊர், உன் அப்பா பெயர் என்ன, இங்கு ஒன்னு இரண்டு பேர் வரானுக. நீயும் வந்து போ.. The style of the private conversation was almost similar to the one with Perunthalaivar Kamarajar. I told my family members about this. My father was happy. As a businessman, he had utilized the services of many lawyers. On 29.01.1969. I joined the office of Thiru. D. Packiaraj, doyen of the Nagercoil Bar, connoisseur in the art of cross examination, lawyer of robust commonsense, person of versatility and intellectual acumen I became a member of Nagercoil Bar reputed in many ways, on the same day.

From 29.01.1969, I was regular to office and court. My punctuality and attendance in the court till the last judge retired to his chamber got me appreciation from all judicial officers. That was the great recognition. I used to sit with my senior till he leaves the office by 7.45 p.m. Never did I fail to attend office in the evening. My senior was also very proud of me. When I completed 6 months, I started staying in Annai Lodge to concentrate more on my work, because I felt my everyday travel to home would take away my time.

One day my senior casually asked me,“டேய் நீ இங்கு வந்து 4 வருஷம் இருக்குமா,” “இல்லை சார், 1 வருடம்” என பதில் கூறினேன். 4 வருஷம் practice பண்ணினது மாதிரி எனக்கு தெரியுது. அதனால் தான் என்னவோ நாகர்கோவில் Additional District Munsiff உயர்திரு. கணபதி ஐயர் என்னை அழைத்து சின்ன சின்ன வழக்குகளை இரத்தினசாமியிடம் கொடுக்கலாமே என்று கூறினார். உனக்கும் அவருக்கும் என்னடேய்’ என்று கேட்டார். அன்று முதல் money suit, execution petition என் கைக்கு வந்தது. பிரச்சனை ஏற்பட்டால் உடனடியாக உயர்திரு. S.பெரியவன் அட்வகேட் அவர்களிடம் விவாதித்து நல்ல தெளிவு பெறுவேன். உயர்திரு. S. பெரியவன் உண்மையிலேயே பெரியவர் தான். He was my defacto senior. He was a jolly good man with a good deal of legal acumen and fund of knowledge. Another eminent lawyer who exerted a powerful influence on me is Mr. G.A. Jeyachandra. We used to sit up to midnight, preparing pleadings, learning and discussing legal matters. My respect and salutations to him. I was attached to my senior for 6 years. I gained knowledge and values immensely.

I felt like telling the event of completion of 55 years of active practice to someone in the absence of my father, mother, brother, sister in – l a w , sister and my younger son who departed from me for eternal rest. I pitched upon the District and Sessions Judge Thiru. Karuppiah whom I know from the days when he worked as District Munsiff, Valliyoor. But alas! I failed. Fortunately, I could tell this great event to my elder brother's friend Mr. A.V. Govindarajan who resides in Coimbatore. It was he who enthused me to take up law to fulfil my mother’s desire. He also helped me in getting acquainted with Shri. S. Mohan, Govt Pleader, as he then was who later became Judge of the Madras High Court and subsequently elevated to the Supreme Court of India. The conversation between me and Mr. A.V. Govindarajan, gave me tons of solace. I was happy that I had told this event to an apt person.

When my juniors in the judiciary mooted the idea of celebrating 55 years of active practice at Bar, I spurned the idea for a very valid reason. Finally when the idea snowballed into a programme, the 1st name that struck my mind was Hon’ble Justice A. Ramamoorthy before whom I had the good fortune of appearing in many cases. He is an example of a good judge. I contacted him over phone and he readily accepted my invitation. The next choice is Justice Dr. Jothymoni with whom I am well acquainted. His answer was encouraging. He had an arbitration sitting along with Hon’ble Justice D. Raju, judge of Supreme Court (retd) and another Judge. I was informed by Justice Dr. Jothymoni that Justice Raju’s wife passed waay. I telephoned him and expressed my heartfelt ondolences and consoled him, followed by a visit. He expressed his inability to attend the function because of grief. His one page write-up with his photo wishing me, made me feel his presence in the function. Thanks to him. My classmate and benchmate Mr. Justice P. Shanmugam had agreed to attend the function. He was busily preoccupied with an important responsibility. Since the work on hand was not over, he could not attend the function. I invited Justice Paul Vasanthakumar, Former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir who is a son of our soil. He was impeccably honest. He expressed his inability to attend the function due to his preoccupation in Delhi.

I profusely thank Mananniya Vendantham Jee and Dr. Girija Seshadri for their participation, good words, their moral, emotional and all kinds of support for the success of this function. I thank all the Principals, teachers and staff of the Hindu Vidyalaya Schools for having graced the function.

I am extremely thankful to His Lordship Justice Mr. A.D. Jagatheesh Chandra, His Lordship Justice Mr. G.R. Swaminathan, Her Lordship Justice Mrs. T. KrishnaValli, Justice Mr. A. Ramamoorthy (Retd) and Justice Dr. P. Jothimani (Rtd) and my elder Brother, Designated Senior Counsel Mr. S. Subbiah for their presence. and felicitations. I take this opportunity to thank my relative Mr. C.A. Rajakunjaram, Senior Advocate who was the first to come and last to leave the hall.

My thanks are due to Mr. Sivanantha Jothi, Retired District Judge and Judges of the local courts, Mr. Gomathy Nayagam, Family Court Judge, Mr. John R.D. Santhosam, Mahila Court Judge and Mr. A. Abdul Kadhar, Additional District Judge. I thank my former juniors Mrs. S. Hema, Subordinate Judge, Sivakasi, Gajara R. Jiji XVI Metropollitan Magistrate, George Town Chennai who piloted and worked hard for the success of the programme.

Mr. Rajalingam, Sub Judge, Kallakurichy was the kingpin who propelled everybody to act. I thank Mrs. K.R. Padmakumari, Judicial Magistrate, Poondamalli and Mrs. B. Sumitha, Judicaial Magistrate, Thirupathur for their presence and support.

My thanks are due to Mr. Pillai Manikandan, Senior Central Government Standing Counsel Madurai Bench of Madras High Court who was the only one who frequented my office and Adv. S. Ram Mohan who graced the occasion with his sons for the successful conduct of the programme. Mr. Natarajan, Former Director, Tamilnadu Mercantile Bank, Mr. T. Jeyachandran, Junior to my mentor and senior Mr. Packiya Raj, who later joined my office, for lending moral support for the planning and success of the programme and Advocate M.T. Arunan who was initially with me, subsequently shifted to Madras High Court for displaying so much of interest for the conduct of the programme.

Notably, I cannot fail to mention Dr. John Justus who painted a wonderful portrait of mine and gifted it to me. Yet another gentleman is Mr. Marshall from Colachel who arranged to paint my portrait beautifully. Justice A. Ramamoorthy observed that the portrait painted by Dr. John Justus looks like a barrister in England and the other one resembes the present Ratnasamy.

I have to make a special note of thanks to my nephew, Dr. P. Soundara Rajan, Dean of Medical College (retd) and one of the great personalities, who felt very happy when he heard of the celebrations. His whole family added value to the function with their presence. அவர் எனது அத்தானின் மகன், என்மீது : அன்பும், பாசமும் கொண்டவர். ஐம்பத்தி ஐந்து ஆண்டுகள் தொடர்ந்து பணியாற்றியமைக்காக “பொன்விழா கொண்டாடுவதை எண்ணி தாயினும் சாலப்பரிந்து அன்பு பொங்க மகிழ்ச்சி அடைந்தவர். இவ்விழாவில் பங்கேற்று என்னை மனநிறைவோடு வாழ்த்த அவர் விழைந்தார். அதற்காகப் புதுடில்லியிலிருந்து விமானத்தில் திருவனந்தபுரம் வந்து நாகர்கோயில் வந்தார். ஆனால் விழா பிற்பகல் இரண்டு மணிக்கு நிறைவடைந்ததால் விழாவில் பங்கேற்று வாழ்த்த .இயலவில்லை. அன்பிற்கும் உண்டோ அடைக்கும் தாழ்?” என்றபடி அவரின் அன்புகலந்த நட்பும், உரிமையும், மீண்டும் ஒரு விழாவில் பங்கேற்று வாழ்த்திடும் வாய்ப்பை நிச்சயம் வழங்கும் என்று நம்புகிறேன், அவரது பெருமைகளையும், பணிகளையும், !

ஈன்ற பொழுதில் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச் சான்றோன் எனக் கேட்ட தாய்’

என்ற உணர்வோடு எண்ணி எண்ணி உவகை கொள்கிறேன், “Blood is thicker than water” என்ற இலக்கணத்திற்கு மிகவும் பொருத்தமானவர். அவர் தனக்கென வாழாமல், பிறருக்காக வாழும் இவரை போன்ற பெருந்தகைகளால் தான் இவ்வுலகம் நிலைபெற்று நிற்கிறது. இந்த நாடு நிமிர்ந்து உயர்கிறது.

I will be failing in my duty if I do not thank my best Law College friend Mr. M. Chokkalingam, Advocate, who came from Thoothukudy with his family to grace the occasion. A similar good friend is Advocate Mr. M. Thankaraj. He has been my family friend ever since we met in the Law College Hostel in the year 1966. I distinctly remember that I was sitting in a corner of the marriage hall saddened by the untimely death of my younger son at the age of 17. It was the marriage function of Mr. Thangaraj’s daughter. He came to me and held my hands and told me that I should be with him, by his side, as a brother, as he has no brothers. The marriage was conducted with pomp and pageantry. I wonder whether anyone else can express this much concern. I salute both of them for being my friends for a long time.

I must make mention of Mr. P. Prabhakaran, my junior, who was camping with his family and two of his friends to make this celebration a special one, A.R.Jeyaruthran, practising at Madurai Bench of Madras High Court and V. Palanichamy practising at Sivakasi.

My thanks are due to Mr. Keezha Pavoor Shanmugiah, Director, All India Radio (Rtd), Dr. S. Chellakumar Rose, Former Principal Scott Christian College, Mr. K. Mohammed Farook, Advocate P. Johnson and Engineer Mr. S. Selvaraj, who laboured hard for the success of the programme. I thank them profusely from the bottom of my heart. I also thank Mrs. Radhika Rajalingam who worked behind the screen and rendered all possible help to the organizers.

I express my sincere gratitude to Advocate Ramesh and my dear clerk S.Murugan who toiled and moiled several days going around the western part of the district extending invitations and soliciting their support in all possible ways.

A special word should be said of my son advocate R. Prem Kumar, who meticulously managed and received guests. He made fine arrangements for the Hon’ble Judges and guests. I heartily appreciate his organizational ability. He took great efforts on the ‘food front’. It is gratifying that he received accolades from the guests. Also, I am greatly indebted to my wife Renganayagi without whom I will not be what I am today. Her constant support and encouragement in all my activities motivated me to do good things in life.

I express my deep sense of gratitude to His Excellency, Justice (Rtd.) P. Sathasivam, Governor of Kerala and all my well-wishers and friends who sent greetings and messages for the occasion.

I am deeply indebted to all the organizers who worked day and night to make this function a grand success. Special thanks are due to Mr. Yusoof, owner of Y.R. Mahal for the kind gesture on his part by giving the mandapam for the function at a concessional rate.

I am very happy that I am able to sustain in the legal profession so long so well. I thank God and I thank those who have contributed their best in making the function a memorable and successful one in my career as an Advocate. I have the good fortune of having very studious, hard working and good natured juniors who adorn various courts as judges. Happy to say that many of my juniors have been berthed in posts of responsibility and are doing commendable service to the society. I am gladdened to note that about 80 advocates and more than 30 apprentices have worked in my office. Currently, I am fortunate in having a team of Junior advocates, mostly ladies like A.J. Sreeja, M. Nathiya, I.T. Jeya Shree, M. Sherline Poornima Singh and R. Sumitha, who are also striving hard to achieve laurels. My clerk Mr. S. Murugan is very efficient and intelligent. My typists Sahaya Anusha, usually called Anu and R. Uma Maheswari are doing wonderful service for career development. I appreciate the services of my driver Alwin@Sukumar who has been with me for the last 10 years.

Currently, May I make the following humble appeal to the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and also the All India Bar Council, New Delhi for favour of consideration. Whereas the eminent personalities in the fields of medicine, education, cinema, music, sports, politics and other diversified fields are being honoured, the high achievers in the legal profession go unnoticed. “A lawyer by his profession is an advocate of peoples rights, an expert in law and politics and one who saves the victims of oppression by the State” as succinctly pointed out by Gandhiji.

Will it not be appropriate to spot out and honour advocates who have been actively practising for 55 years continuously with office, a good library of his own, juniors attending court everyday and rendering service to society with the status of Designated Senior Counsel or any other equivalent salutation.