Nobody Is Too Young To Make Big Change: Justice Chandrachud Cites Greta Thunberg Example

While addressing the students on the 101st Birth Anniversary of (Late) Mr Y.V. Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of India, his son, Justice Dr DY Chandrachud, took the example of Greta Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist, to emphasize having a critical outlook towards the social and material realities. Justice Chandrachud noted that an engaged citizenry, particularly its students, can confront several material interests that will have to make them subservient to the existence of our species. He referred to Thunberg as 'one of the strongest voices in civil society against climate change, and accelerating issue the world is facing today.

Imparting encouragement to the student attendees, he reminded that Thunberg was alone 15-year-old when she sat outside the Swedish Parliament demanding government action against the imminent risks of global warming. He said, "Her (Greta) example, in addition to several others, shows us how nobody is too young or too insignificant to effectuate a big change."

"Greta Thunberg, who is one of the strongest voices in civil society against climate change, began her journey, as a lone 15year old, sitting outside the Swedish Parliament demanding governmental action against the imminent risks of global warming. Her example, in addition that of many others, shows us how nobody is too young or too insignificant to effectuate a big change"

In delivering an empowering speech, Justice Chandrachud took examples of great leaders of the nation. He remembered the quest for revolutionaries like- Savitri Bai Phule, Jyoti Bai Phule, Nelson Mandela, and the most recent example of Malala Yousafzai. He reminded the younger generation of their struggles and noted,

"These stories are useful reminders that the privilege of education we have today are fruits of the boldest struggles and represent the dreams of our ancestors. The mantle is only passed forward, as every generation is entrusted with the task of bettering our society."

While emphasizing the importance of reading the Constitution, he encouraged students belonging to all vocations to develop a social conscience and engage with all aspects of society; through the constitutional lens, he said,

"In viewing our constitution as the primary spirit of counter-majoritarianism, we can equip ourselves with a unique lens to view the world and balance competing interests, where we undoubtedly make scientific progress, but in a manner that benefits all of humanity, and not just a narrow section."

He mapped out the history of student movements while remembering their contribution to the Indian Freedom Struggle as 'key actors and mass participants in India's freedom struggle.'

At the very onset of his speech, he remembers the personal struggle of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and how he used his education to imprint the Indian Constitution with transformative potential. He remarked,

"His education wasn't just a vehicle for his self-advancement but left its imprints in the prescience, nuance, and transformative potential of the Indian Constitution. It also provided several persons of the oppressed castes with the necessary vocabulary and aspiration to push back against the denigrating structures of caste and patriarchy."

Also Read: Majoritarian Tendencies, Whenever and However They Arise, Must Be Tested Against Constitutional Promises : Justice Chandrachud

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