Dear All, A few of us are attending the programme physically while the rest are attending virtually to celebrate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' to commemorate 75 years of India's independence. At the outset, on my behalf and on behalf of all of you, I express my Pranams and gratitude to all the great leaders and freedom fighters of the Nation who fought for our independence and delivered to us a free India from the shackles of colonial rule. I pay homage and respects to all those noble and great souls who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom struggle. And also, to the brave and brilliant defence personnel who are protecting and continuing to protect the unity and integrity of Independent India.  Respected District Judge Mr P.Krishna Kumar and his companion Judicial Officers Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, and other dignitaries present on the occasion, Very Good afternoon.                                                                                                                       My special appreciation and wishes to the students, particularly law students, who are participating in the commemoration of 75 years of India's independence. The present outreach programme of NALSA and KeLSA commences today, and the finale of this programme is scheduled for 14th November 2021. This programme encompasses dissemination of knowledge on fundamental duties under the Constitution of India, help to victims of crimes, early access to justice, laws relating to senior citizens, child rights under PoCSO Act, etc. I deliver my inaugural speech with reference to the fundamental duties of citizens and the participative role we can reinvent, cultivate, and continue to practice, in the growth of a vibrant India. While delivering inaugural address I am obliged to ensure utility and purpose of the month long programmes of NALSA. As we commence Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we could also plan to complete the Centenary Jubilee celebration with more wealth, welfare, and well-being to our future generation and citizens of Independent India. As this is what we can legitimately dream today, the dream could be accomplished by the youth of the Nation, with their efforts, and by performing their duties and functions towards the Nation and the society. Platinum Jubilee celebration is a momentous occasion for everyone in independent India.                                                                                                                                                                                             I am honoured and blessed to be the Chief Guest on the occasion of inaugural function at Thiruvananthapuram and to be in the midst of noble, spiritual and a Society with modern outlook. Thiruvananthapuram has all these qualities. I, on behalf of the KeLSA and the District Legal Services Authority, request the Heads of Educational Institutions to actively participate in disseminating the programmes of the National Legal Services Authority and voluntarily pledge your support and practice the ideals, fundamental duties enshrined specifically in Article 51A, clauses b, g, and h, as part of life. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in the Country. Thiruvananthapuram, within Kerala, ranks at Sl. No.10 (92.66% in 2011 Census). My experience in Kerala State, as a High Court Judge, gives confidence that Keralites are inclined to follow the rules and regulations and expect others to follow. The law students present here might be wondering, as students and future professionals, what role they would have in Nation Building, the programmes of NALSA and, on their turn, celebrate the centenary of Independent India, whether could it be with more wealth, welfare, and well-being. These activities are connected with development and, development is always associated with establishment of Irrigation facilities, Dams, Industries, Defence, Agriculture, Science and Technology etc.  In my opinion, the bringing into existence and continuance ofthese assets of the nation are dependent on the ConstitutionofIndia, Rule of Law and the protection and preservation of Fundamental Rights of the citizens of Independent India. It is not the end of our check list. The time is ripe to accept that Fundamental Duties are enshrined for due performance by the citizens. The Fundamental Duties are stipulated by Article 51A of the Constitution of India. You would have been taught enough about our Fundamental Duties by the professors of law. I am not going to dwell the same topic and tire you this noon. But I want to remind you that this is the occasion to pick up a few Fundamental Duties, pledge our commitment to the fundamental duties as part of the programme, practice the pledge and enhance our wealth, welfare, and well-being of individuals while contributing to the societies in which we live at large. On this occasion, we are celebrating platinum jubilee of Independent India and we lay the path for celebrating centenary celebrations in 2047 So, we are naturally inspired by the great deeds and accomplishments of our founding fathers and their efforts, and the fruits we enjoy today from freedom and liberty. Now, this occasion it be treated as an opportunity to provide the best to you, and to the next generation of citizen of India.  We all admire and believe that the course of our national leaders, during independence movement as very relevant today for several problems we face and we feel dutybound to follow the wisdom of our leaders, to build a great Nation where human dignity, values, liberty and basic needs are provided. Remember, the Fundamental duties enshrined in Article 51A, do not coerce us to follow the duties. The most that can be said by a complacent Indian is that I follow, if others follow these duties. Now you can tell yourself that you can be the front-runner, and lead others instead of following others, in spite of all the advantages we have in the country. To be or not to be is our choice. We are, no doubt enthused to contribute our bit and we have inherited ideals from our forefathers to emulate these contribute to the cause of advancing our Nation and Constitutional goals. So, this is the time to pause and inculcate fundamental duties as our way of life. The District Legal Services Authority has developed a portal link which deals with the three prominent fundamental duties identified for this occasion and leaves it to our voluntary decision and discretion, to pledge towards their practice, performance and have commitment throughout your lives. My experience is that a person voluntarily discharging fundamental duties stands to demand fundamental rights and enforcement of rule of law from other agencies with exactitude. Let us make it a citizen charter, develop the discipline in the Society. This is not the occasion to get into quote, unquote, and fill up the speech with the thoughts of noble people. According to me, the present generation is intelligent enough and would need motivation, stand by example to speak their thoughts and perform noble deeds. I would like to quote Swami Vivekananda, an all-rounder, he said: I quote “the majority of people are lopsided in their mental development. An all-rounder is rare to be found”. An all-round development of man constitutes three factors: (1) Efficiency is the first factor. Man must be able to translate into action that he finds good. (2) He must love all beings since they are of the same origin. This is the second factor. He must be able to understand the truth governing existence. This is the third and final factor. Harmonious development of these three factors, i.e. head, heart, and hand, is the mark of a model man. Now develop the fundamental duties DLSA has identified and it makes sense and purpose to the quote. My appeal to the present generation is to put together your head, heart, and hand, take part in fundamental duties and make our nation great. Now it is the time for voluntary pledge as designed by DLSA and we may together pledge on the ideals. I request all the participants and Heads of Educational Institutions to share the link and disseminate the need to participate in the noble programme to, in anticipation, celebrate centenary, fulfilling the dreams of freedom fighters and founding fathers of our Constitution and great Nation. With great anticipation and hope that the citizens of Thiruvananthapuram, particularly the student community, will make the programme a grand success I remain and Thank you one and all for your time and patient listening. Jai Hind.