The most celebrated event of the month of March 2013 in Chennai was the book release function held at Rani Seethai Hall, a place noted for all important events in the City. It was on March 23rd two well conceived books authored by Dr Justice AR Lakshmananone titled “Justice Speaks” in English and the other titled “Neethiyin Kural” in Tamil were released in the august presence of Madras High Court Judges, lawpractitioners, prominent citizens of Chennai, and several others who have come from other parts of the country specially to attend the function. Rani Seethai Hall could not hold the entire gathering and arrangements were made by erecting huge television screens around the open spaces from where many have to contend themselves by watching the ceremony.

The entire function was meticulously organized by the leading Tamil Weekly Publishers “Kumudham” a weekly very popular among the Tamil speaking community the world over. The publishers in addition to publishing more than half of a dozen Tamil periodicals publish regularly books written by eminent authors. The stage was well decorated with several colour blow-outs depicting the legal journey of Dr Justice AR Lakshmanan from Madras High Court to Supreme Court via Chief Justiceships of Kerala High Court, Andhra High Court and Rajasthan High Court.

The function began with an impressive invocation by the cine actress-singer Chinmayee who also compeered the whole proceedings. Initiating the events Mr. P. Varadharajan Chairman and Managing Director Kumudham Publications who welcomed the VIP’s and the gatherings said that they were very fortunate to publish the books authored by Dr. Justice AR Lakshmanan. The book we are publishing now “Justice Speaks Vol II” is a sequel to Vol I of the same title released in Delhi earlier. This book is a practical guide to those who practicing law and for others interested to learn Indian Law. It touches diverse areas from human rights to the need for a law for global governance. And the change that is necessary in judicial system in India. The book reveals the author’s proficiency in Law and his concern for society as an individual.

The High Court Judge Mr. Jagadeesan while releasing both the book in English and Tamil highlighted the interest of Dr. Justice Lakshmanan in providing services is mainly responsible to write this book not only in English but also in Tamil. His experiences in various fields of law are written in a lucid form so that it can be a lesson not only to those practicing Law and also to the common man. Justice Jagadeesan fondly recollected the days he enjoyed with Dr.Justice A.R.Lakshmanan as both of them along with the Sr.Advocate, R.Gandhi happened to be colleagues in profession to start with. Padmabhusan Prof. Dr. P. Chandra Sekharan who received the first copy and felicitated the author has stressed that every dutiful citizen should know Law of his land. It is with this principle in mind Justice A R Lakshmanan has penned both the books. His publishing a book in Tamil, as well, indicates his real concern to percolate the basic principles of Law in the minds of the lower echelon of the society. He said Justice A R Lakshmanan is a devoted judge with a missionary zeal besides being a vociferous orator and prolific writer. And above all is a humanitarian. It is the humanism in him that made him so popular not only with the ordinary citizens of this country but also with the rulers. No wonder then the government of India utilized his services even after retirement as Chairman Law Commission of India, Member Mullai Periyar Commission. I have no hesitation in saying that his wife Meenakshi Ammal is behind him, nay, leading him in every success. Both Madam Meenakshi Ammal and Dr. Justice A R Lakshmanan are very good hosts.

Mr. Vali the Sr. Poet of receiving the first copy of “Neethiyin Kural” spoke at length wondering the vast knowledge Justice A R Lakshmanan possesses in every walk of life. His quotations from Bible, Kurran and Bhagavath Geeta found in abundance in all his judgment.

Dr. N Sivakadacham, the Cardiac Surgeon brought to memories that it was astonishing that Justice A R Lakshmanan could deliver more than a lakh judgments in the span of Eighteen and half years as a Judge.

Advocate General A L Somayajee and Advocate R Gandhi received copies of both the books. Mr. R Gandhi recollecting his close association with Dr Justice A R Lakshmanan and Justice Jagadeesan right from their college days mentioned that it is the simplicity of Justice A R Lakshmanan that won him name and fame even though he was elevated high and high in the ladder of judiciary.

The Comedian Actor Vivek who also received both the books and spoke about the most extra ordinary gesture of Justice A R Lakshmanan that after delivering Judgment in an examination case in favour of a student permitting him to write the examination chose to contact the principal of the college personally, to tell him about the judgment and to request him to permit the student to write his exams as there will be delay in communicating the order to the principal.

Responding to the facilitations offered, Justice A R Lakshmanan humbly narrated his routine of working more than 17 hours a day even after retirement is perhaps the reason for writing the 13thbook. He said he will bring many more books to serve the humanity. He said that he is proud that he had travelled incessantly 44 years in his legal journey. “My Tharaka Mantra is to work to work and work alone will pay the dividends.”