I’ve been around for some time-Analyses, Reflections and Reminiscences

This book is a compilation of select articles and interviews by Raju Ramachandran in leading national newspapers, magazines and law journals. In a career spanning 40 years, he has written on various constitutional and legal developments, capturing the socio-legal underpinnings of contemporary society as well as suggesting reformist measures. The book is thematically divided into eight sections covering a range of topics–from the independence of the judiciary, the manner of judicial appointments, the need for judicial rectitude to the concept of constitutional tort, the basic structure doctrine, comparative constitutional questions, challenges to parliamentary democracy, and to more recent issues of lawyers’ strikes, as well as the attitude of the Bar to unpopular accused. These articles are thought provoking, and show the evolution, or lack thereof, in different areas. He also pays tributes to some of those who influenced him in his prolific journey. I’ve been around for some time: Analyses, Reflections and Reminiscences is an invaluable blend of expertise and lucidity that the author brings, and even if one disagrees, one will be forced to contemplate these issues. This work is also his personal account, peppered with anecdotes and updates to add to the interest of the reader. Testimonials:- “The reader will be struck at once by his excellent legal equipment, cogency in reasoning; clarity in expression and, not least, by his liberal outlook. Nor is humour absent…No reader will agree with the author on all the points in all the articles. But he will not fail to be stimulated to reflect further….I found these articles thought provoking. So, I am sure, will the readers.” —A G Noorani “An inveterate amicus curiae, his wisdom and fairness have illuminated many a thorny legal issue…Even-tempered, pleasant, considerate, hospitable, humorous, conscientious, a friend in need and generous with his praise, Raju is a repository of every amiable quality. He even has the virtue of wearing his virtues lightly… Although his style is not provocative, his anecdotes carry a bubbling irony and who would have imagined that irony could bubble over! If the smile that lingers…gets across through his writing as it does with his presence, I would, for my part, consider his readers very well served indeed.” —Nitya Ramakrishnan Raju combines the lawyer’s mind with the journalist’s flair for interesting detail and a personal touch, to bring to life a range of personalities and issues…His articles display a rare moderation but also firmness. The capacity to not offend even while raising difficult questions is precious…No wonder that he is a favoured choice as amicus in important cases. If the Supreme Court trusts him, readers so must you. —Siddharth Varadarajan