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Speaking from a grand pandal erected in the playground of a government school, where he studied till 10th in the Hansi district of Haryana, Chief Justice Surya Kant looked at a large number of school children in the audience and told them education is the greatest investment and wealth. The CJI was speaking at an impressive felicitation organised by the villagers at his native ancestral village of Petwar, where he had arrived for the first time after taking charge as India's 53rd Chief Justice on November 24 last year. "Education is the biggest investment and wealth. Children are the future of the country and the foundation for a strong and prosperous country," he said.Recalling his student days, CJI Surya Kant said that despite limited resources,
the dedication of teachers and the guidance of elders motivated him to move forward and achieve his goals. “Those days there were no extra tuitions… teachers of our schools were committed, dedicated, devoted to students…if needed, they took extra classes even in night. I have attended so many," he said.Also Read:No More 'Endless' Hearings In SC: CJI Surya Kant Sets Timer For Lawyers To Argue Cases“We were four brothers. I am the youngest. My parents allowed me to choose my stream, and I chose arts and then Law, and now I am here," he said. Turning his attention towards the girl students, CJI Kant said he is sure that many will join defence, engineering, and become doctors, some will go for civil services, but he wished that some girls study law and become good lawyers, and society must say that “these girls are from Surya Kant’s village”.Soon after he reached the venue, CJI Kant was accorded a warm and enthusiastic welcome by the villagers in a true traditional style. Amid the beats of drums and traditional dance performed in an adjacent, smaller stage, he was escorted to the main stage, where villagers honoured him by presenting a turban. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, several judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, several ministers of Haryana and district authorities of Hansi and Hisar district were also present at the event. CJI Kant appealed for collective support to ensure higher education for economically weaker but talented students and also announced his own financial contribution for this cause if such a fund is created. During the ceremony, several demands related to village development were placed, including the construction of a community health centre near the bus stand, a new school building after demolishing the old one, the establishment of an e-library, the development of a herbal park, beautification of ponds, and the installation of solar panels in the girls’ senior secondary school. Responding to these demands, the Chief Justice said that during his recent meeting with the Chief Minister, assurance was given that all genuine demands of the village would be fulfilled.
