Law Is Not A Profession, It Is A Calling: Justice Subrata Talukdar Bids Farewell To Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court on Monday held a full-court reference to bid farewell to Justice Subrata Talukdar on the occasion of his retirement.

Justice Talukdar was elevated from the Bar as Additional Judge of the Calcutta High Court on October 30, 2013, and subsequently appointed as Permanent Judge of the Calcutta High Court on March 14, 2016. Previously, he was empanelled as a Senior State Government Advocate for West Bengal. He began his career as a journalist before joining the legal practise, after completing his law degree from Delhi University.

In expressing his gratitude to all those who supported his journey, Justice Talukdar thanked his fellow judges, the members of the Bar, the Registry, the District Judiciary, as well as thanked by name, all those who worked in his Courtroom and his Chambers. He said:

“I express my deepest thanks [to all], thank you for tolerating me so long. I have always received positive vibes from all, which has helped shape my confidence on and off the bench. Special thanks to the bar. The Bar is truly the judge’s barometer and sums up the man you are, both in and outside the ropes.”

While recalling the early days of his professional career, Justice Talukdar remembered the time he interviewed for the Statesman, and later went on to work for the Hindu in Delhi. He fondly remembered the words of his managing editor, the day he handed in his resignation to pursue a career in law. Justice Talukdar recalled:

“When I handed in my resignation to the Hindu to join a career in [legal] practise, my managing editor’s response was ‘Talukdar, law is tough choice. You may take a leave and then come back to us.’ I replied, that may be difficult.”

Justice Talukdar even recalled being unaware of the depth of the legal field in his early days as a lawyer, but emphatically stated that with every passing day as a practising lawyer, the idea of returning to his job at the Newspaper grew more and more distant. He emphasised on the hard work required to establish oneself in the legal practise, and stressed on the fact that it wouldn’t always be simple and straightforward.

“I waded into the legal stream, unaware of its depth. With every passing month, the idea of returning to my newspaper grew more distant. There I was and here I am. To quote Alan Saunders, ‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.’ Law, I realised thereafter, is not a career but a calling. No amount of command over language can substitute for hard work, and knowledge of the little details required in court rooms. I realised that there was no going back to the newspaper. I gripped my teeth and went on, reminded of Winston Churchill’s words, “if you are going through hell, keep going.” Justice Talukdar shared.

In his time as a judge, Justice Talukdar remembered the words of his late grandfather, who was a retired District Judge, and shared that lawyers, litigants and the people at large look up to the Courts for protection. He underlined the role played by the Courts in the lives of ordinary citizens and said:

“My late grandfather, a retired district judge used to say ‘lawyers are required to perform at their best in front of everybody. [They are expected to be] robust as they exercise both their intellect and their legs.’ We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit. I learned over my years in practise, that what a court did not do, often times became more important than what it did do.”

In a special address to the junior members of the Bar, Justice Talukdar encouraged them to keep up the art of conversation, and emphasised that a Judge is unwaveringly assisted by the engagement and counsel provided by the Bar. He shared:

“Keeping in mind the junior members of bar: let us not kill the art of good, informed conversation. In my mind, the judicial order delivered by any Bench is the culminating point of a poised engagement with the Bar.”

In conclusion, Justice Talukdar shared his plans for life beyond judiciary and reiterated that he intended to stay in the city of Calcutta, and gain more fruitful experiences. He parted by paying respect to his parents and ancestors, and spoke directly to the members of the Court who had gathered before him. He concluded:

“I am asked about my plans. [I have no plans but], to stay in the City of Joy and sharpen my experiences. I pay [respects] to my parents and ancestors. [I] will miss all of you, although I will be away, but hopefully not away from your thoughts. We meet to create memories; we part to reserve them.”

The ceremony was presided over by the Chief Justice, Justice TS Sivagnanam, and the gathering was addressed by Senior members of the bar, such as Advocate General, S.N. Mookherjee, who recalled his time as Justice Talukdar’s batchmate in Presidency University, Calcutta.

Further addresses were delivered by ASG Billwadal Bhattacharya, as well as the Presidents of the Incorporated Law Society, High Court Bar Association, and the Bar Library Club.