Mr. Hrishikesh Manu is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Law at Chanakya National Law University, Patna. He did his graduation from Banaras Hindu University and from the same university he completed his LL.B. and thereafter he pursued his LL.M. from Delhi University. He has been teaching for the last 8 years at Chanakya National Law University, Patna.
1. Sir, please tell us something about yourself to our readers.
I completed my schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mughalsarai. B.A. (Hons.) from Faculty of Social Sciences Banaras Hindu University, and after that, I did my LLB from the same university and for post-graduation, I went to Delhi University. And for the last 8 years, I have been teaching at Chanakya National Law University, Patna as an Assistant Professor.
2. What inspired you to choose law as a career? Why law and not engineering or medical studies?
To be honest I was not good at mathematics so I never thought about choosing engineering as a career and also I was never interested in medical studies. My parents never pressurized me to study medicine and engineering even though it was the mainstream during those days, so I was really lucky in that part. From the initial days I was interested in humanities I wanted to study literature, social sciences, etc., that’s why I joined BA (Hons.) in Sociology. That’s how I started my higher studies. When I was in my final year of graduation I came across a survey of the best colleges of India which was published by India Today and in that survey BHU Law School was in the top 3 colleges in the country so from there I started thinking about taking law as a career. No one in my family was in the legal profession, I was the first person in my family to choose law as a career.
3. Tell us something about your law school journey.
It was excellent. BHU is known as the Judge’s factory so most of the students who studied law from BHU aspired to become judge and I was no different. During my LL.B. days, I was also thinking about joining the judicial services. The law school journey was one of the best experiences of my life. BHU campus is one of the best campuses of the country it’s a very green campus, so many departments, faculties, it helps you to understand about other streams. This interdisciplinary approach is very beneficial for the students. When I joined the Delhi University for my postgraduation I got to know some of the best law teachers of our country and of abroad like Professor Upendra Bakshi, Professor Ved Kumar and many others They were my teachers and they inspired me to join academics.
4. What do you like best about teaching? What is the best thing about being a professor and what’s the worst?
The best thing about teaching is you are always surrounded by young minds who are full of new ideas. Every day you can learn new things and can improve yourself and the satisfaction you get from teaching is unparallel. Students are a great source of inspiration also, from every batch I learn something. I feel that I am not only teaching but also I am learning during this whole process. Monetary wise also teachers get a handsome salary these days.
There is nothing which I can call worst in this profession but yes sometimes I do feel that in many places teachers are overburdened with administrative and some compliance work which leaves very little time for them to do research and publication. Overall I am very happy with this profession and I feel most satisfaction while teaching.
5. How should law students go about selecting topics for research publications?
Selecting an appropriate topic for research publications is very important so the student should make sure that the topic is interesting to you and the readers and is worthy of publication. So keep an eye on current legal issues and one can also write on any cases which have been decided by the judiciary that raises a important issue of law. These are the areas from where one can get an idea to write a research paper. Also reading is very important one should read a lot to know what is happening around.
6. Any tips for budding legal writers? How can law students develop good writing skills?
Reading is very important that helps you to improve your writing skill and also you get some new ideas on which you can write a paper. So the student should read, lot not only academic things but newspapers, journals, novels, etc. Don’t wait that you will write something perfect just start writing from today itself. Initially, you may write for college journals, blogs, etc., and gradually you will learn the technique to write a paper, it’s not something which you can master in a day or a month, it is a gradual process and with practice, with experience, you will get expertise.
7. Do you feel that the legal profession has significantly changed from when you decided to study law?
I think the legal profession has become one of the most attractive professions these days. I remember when I joined law school BHU that time generally student thought about either joining bar or cracking judicial examinations. 15-20 years back there were fewer opportunities but these days there are so many opportunities that are coming for the law graduate. So, I think a lot has changed because of coming of national law universities and some private law colleges. The quality of students has also improved. These days I see students very clear that they want to make a career in law. Also, National Law Universities have a very good curriculum, better infrastructure, better library so in this way, I feel that better lawyers and better legal professionals are coming these days.
8. Do you feel that there are differences between students of ‘Elite’ law schools and students from other law colleges and traditional universities?
Yes, there is a difference. Just take the example of National Law Universities and some other private law schools, they have better infrastructure and placement wise also these elite law schools are much ahead of traditional universities. I am not saying that traditional universities are not doing well. I am also the product of traditional universities like BHU and Delhi University but they are exceptional universities. But most of the state universities lacks the kind of infrastructure which is needed. The library is not in good condition, access to the legal database is not available, books are not there and also there is a problem of lack of quality faculties. But many traditional universities are doing exceptionally well, for example, BHU, Delhi University still have the best law faculties. But yes if you compare the number of National Law Universities and the number of traditional universities facilities wise, infrastructure wise, placement wise, National Law Universities are much better than a traditional university.
9. Any interesting experience of your teaching career that you wish to share and any success tips that you wish to give to law students who wish to make a career in academia?
There are so many interesting experiences and I think every day you have some interesting experiences. I remember when I first started teaching I was very young and some students didn’t know that I am a newly appointed faculty and they thought that I am a new student.
As far as the success tips, who wish to make a career in academia first of all, I want to say that there are lots of opportunities on the academic side and there is a dearth of good law teacher so anyone interested in teaching or want to make teaching as a career should think seriously about it. Important thing is that right from the student life itself you should start doing publications, you should attend the conferences, seminars and also you should actively take in mooting and debating, it will help you in teaching. Just to motivate you all the salary structure is also good as far as teaching is concerned. Teachers are getting a handsome salary so don’t think about money. There was a notion earlier that in teaching profession you don’t get good salary but there is nothing like that. There is a lot of exposure and you can move around the world and can participate in various conferences, seminars, etc.
There are so many advantages you have if you join the academia and if you have interest in this, I would say this profession is unparallel as per the satisfaction level is concerned.
About the author –
This interview has been conducted by Shalini Bhatt, second year law student at Chanakya National Law University, Patna.
