Tamil version of former Supreme Court judge Justice Shivaraj V. Patil’s autobiography released in Madurai

Supreme Court judge Justice R. Mahadevan released the Tamil version of the autobiography ‘Time Spent Distance Travelled’ by Justice Shivaraj V. Patil, former Supreme Court judge, at Kalaignar Centenary Library on Saturday.

Administrative judge of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court Justice G. Jayachandran received the first copy of the book from Justice Mahadevan. 

Addressing the gathering at the event organised by Justice Shivaraj V. Patil Foundation Madurai, Justice Mahadevan said the book brought out the different episodes in the life of Justice Shivaraj who faced many obstacles since childhood. However, he overcame these obstacles and had become a guide and inspiration to others. Justice Shivaraj was a compassionate person and people learnt from him on how to conduct oneself in court.

Justice Jayachandran said the title of the book was apt. Time doesn’t wait for anyone. One should travel the distance to achieve, he said and urged the students to read the autobiography and learn from it.

Justice M. Karpaga Vinayagam, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jharkhand, said Justice Shivaraj was an honest and a hardworking man. More importantly he was humane. 

Tamil writer and Sahitya Akademi Winner Ponneelan said he was moved by the book. He said people should read the book to learn how to overcome obstacles. 

The CEO of The New Indian Express Group Lakshmi Menon said Justice Shivaraj’s journey from humble beginnings to the Supreme Court of India reaffirms the power of discipline, fairness and steadfast commitment to justice.

In his speech, Justice Shivaraj said he dedicated the Tamil version of the book to Human Rights Activist and advocate A. Mahaboob Batcha. He said he was overwhelmed and humbled with the reception he had received and said Tamil Nadu was his second home.

Hailing from Karnataka, he said he came from a neglected village. However, poverty was not a curse, but a driving force for him to achieve in life. He said the main reason behind the decision to write the autobiography was to share his experience, to inspire and motivate others. It was also a self-audit, he said. 

Managing Trustee of Justice Shivaraj V. Patil Foundation S. Selva Gomathi welcomed the gathering and Finance Trustee Ramanie Mathew proposed a vote of thanks.

The Madurai District Garment Women Workers Forum conferred the Makkal Ratna Award on Justice Shivaraj for his lifetime commitment to human dignity and constitutional justice.