There was a phase when the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was in financial trouble. Despite the teachers taking home a meager salary, even lesser than what the UGC recognised, the law school was fast running out of finances. It was at this point that Professor Menon prepared a detailed account of the expenditure incurred and wrote to all the parents explaining to them that he would soon have to shut the law school for lack of funds. The only option to survival as he saw it was increasing the fee almost ten times.
"Believe me you. I got replies from all the parents". Some parents were even willing to pay more. It was in the year 1989 that the law school fee was raised from Rs. 2,500/- to Rs. 25,000/- "Without a murmur all the students paid the fees and six parents paid Rs. 25,000/- more towards the fees and expenses". Professor Menon recollects with great pride, the manner in which everyone came together to keep the law school going.
Admissions into law school were only for the meritorious. There never was any scope of using influence to gain admission. There was a reservation policy for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. "Those students who had some initial problems were put with senior students as mentors to be able to pick up the language, communication and overcome their disability in studies". At the end of 5 years, there was no difference whatsoever and the students who came in through reservation found no problem in getting placed.
In 1992, the then Chief Minster of West Bengal, Mr. Jyoti Basu paid a surprise visit to the law school after hearing that something big was happening there. Eleven years later, when Professor Menon decided to call it a day and return home, Mr. Jyoti Basu requested Professor Menon to set up a University in West Bengal. Initially Professor Menon was only interested in an advisory role and did not want to go through the same trauma once again. However, Mr. Jyoti Basu convinced Professor Menon to take up the role. Thus began another journey in 1999.
The emphasis in the National University of Juridical Sciences was different from what it was at NLSIU - integrating the physical and natural sciences with law, as opposed to social sciences with law. The Calcutta University aimed at offering courses like Maritime law, Petroleum laws, Air and Space laws, Telecommunication laws and Intellectual Property laws.
The University was set up within a record period of 2 years. After Professor Menon completed 4 years at the University, the Supreme Court approached Professor Menon and requested him to set up the National Judicial Academy at Bhopal. In 2003, he moved to Bhopal to set up the academy to train senior district judges and high court judges. After serving the academy for three years, in 2006, at the behest of his wife, Professor Menon decided to call it a day and return home.
Work never seemed to cease for Professor Menon, who immediately after being relieved by the Supreme Court, was asked by the Government of India to head the Commission on Center - State Relations. Since work entailed traveling to Delhi very often, Professor Menon stayed there until the project was completed. It was only in early 2010 that Professor Menon finally returned to Trivandrum. At 76, Professor Menon is still going strong and heads various committees. A few students of Professor Menon have set up an institute called Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training which acts as a finishing school for young lawyers. Besides this, Professor Menon also plans to introduce 'Education for Responsible Citizenship' in Higher Secondary Schools to impart knowledge on the legal system and Constitution.
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"NLSIU finances have gone from strength to strength."by RainmakerIndia71 views
Dr (Prof ) N R Madhava Menon is a role model for the future generation in the field of Law and Political Science et al. Keep it up...*****
Dr Ramesh Kumar , Ambala Cantt.
drrameshmadaan 6 months ago