Question 1: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Please introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Professor of Law, Author and an experienced Principal/Director. I have done M.A. (English), M.Phil. (English), LL.B, LL.M (Criminology), and PhD (Law). I have qualified the UGC NET Exam also. Over the years, apart from teaching and involving myself in the work of academic administration, I relentlessly pursued my passion for academic research. Today I am a member of many international research organisations like – International Society of Therapeutic Jurisprudence, the USA, and member of the International Society of Criminology. Again, I am a Senior Peer Reviewer and member of the Editorial Board of Arts, Management and Social Sciences of various national and international journals, notably in India, Japan, UAE and United States. In addition, I have authored six books and have also written many articles which have been published in many journals of National and International repute. I have had the privilege of presenting my research papers at many National and International Conferences, notably held at The Harvard Law School  (United States), Oxford (United Kingdom), Cambridge (United Kingdom), Brighton (United Kingdom), Singapore, Bangkok, Khon Kaen University (Thailand), Doha (Qatar) and Tokyo (Japan).

I have the distinction of being the Keynote Speaker at the International Conference held at Cambridge. I was a panelist at the conference held at The Harvard Law School (USA) and have chaired the sessions at International Conferences held in India, Oxford, Cambridge, Tokyo and Bangkok. I was adjudged the best presenter at the International Conference held in Singapore and my article received the ‘Best Paper Award’ at the International Research Conference, Tokyo. Many organisations have conferred prestigious awards, in recognition of my persistent contribution to law, academic research work and particularly popularising the interdisciplinary approach. Some awards which I received are Swami Vivekananda Excellence Award 2017 for excellent contribution in the field of “Academic Administration” by World’s Achiever’s Foundation and Confederation of Indian Universities, Delhi at Kolkata. The “Environment Protection and Development 2017” award by Scientific and Environment Research Institute at “World Clean Environment Congress 2017”, at Delhi. The “National Teaching Excellence Award 2017” by the International Benevolent Research Foundation and the “Indian Education Award, 2019” in the field of Research in Education, in Delhi and  “Excellent Researcher Award (Female) 2019″ by International Academic and Research Excellence (IARE), in Noida.

Question 2: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: What inspired you to choose law as a career option?

I always believe that “You must know yourself to grow yourself”, one should be aware of the basic structure, system & functioning of their society and also their rights and duties. The study of law and understanding its nuances is one of the ways to accomplish this. The knowledge and skills gained by studying law enable us to analyse both sides of complex situations or problems rationally and to devise the best solution based on cogent reasoning and critical thinking. Legal education is one of the noble professions which not only personally make you strong and confident but also equip you with a unique ability through which you can help and furnish much needed impartial advice to others, mainly when they are in dire need of guidance for prudent future action.

Question 3: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: How was your law school journey?

My law school journey was entirely different from others. I was pursuing my MPhil (English) when I got married. Studying law was never in my preference list; in fact, I was interested in management studies. I would say that I was surprised when I was asked to think about seeking admission in LL.B. But I believe that the Almighty had some different plans. Eventually, I got myself enrolled for LL.B course. While pursuing LL.B, I become the mother of two lovely daughters. The subject engrossed me so much that I completed LL.M & PhD (Law) also while simultaneously providing complete care, support, encouragement and guidance to my daughters who were joyously starting their journey of life step by step from kindergarten onwards. I am blessed to have a very supportive family especially my husband who continuously inspires, motivates and supports me so that I can realise my dreams.

Question 4: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: What got you interested in Legal Blogging, Freelancing & YouTube?

I am Professor of law and ex Principal/Director of Law college. During my Principal/Directorship, I was more engaged in an administrative job rather than teaching. I love sharing knowledge with others, and when some students approached me with the request to make my lecture notes and articles available to them, I thought it would be rather appropriate to share the same on the internet, with not only my students but also with many friends, well-wishers and family members. Subsequently, I decided to share my notes on other social media platforms, too, like a blog and YouTube Channel.

Question 5: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: You are also a founder of Law Colloquy. Would you like to tell our readers something about it?

I had started the law website, “https://www.priyasepaha.com/”, YouTube Channel “Dr Priya Sepaha” and FB page, Instagram page “Law Colloquy” so that I may actively share articles, legal news, lecture series, and so on for spreading legal knowledge and creating awareness about the law. Studying law is an empowering experience.

“Law Colloquy” was created, with the objective for creating a platform, for initiating the in-depth discussion on various topics of past and concurrent interest. The aim is to make people familiar with the theories, statutes and legislation that shaped the old laws, the need and rationale behind the recent amendments, the need to draft and pass the new emerging laws, and so on. I firmly believe that my efforts will eventually contribute to spreading legal knowledge to far many people in an easy to grasp manner, thereby, helping them develop a legal mindset. An honest attempt has been made to deliver useful information, in the simplest way, by focusing on the basics, which at times are quite easy to understand.

Question 6: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: According to you how important it is for law students to secure publications and to take participation in seminars, moot courts, conferences & internships?

Legal studies are not only confined to theoretical knowledge but require in-depth practical experience as it deals with some of the most delicate and complex parts of human personality and behaviour. Apart from obtaining knowledge from bare acts and textbooks, the emphasis must be given to imbibe the skill-based education like Moot Court, Advocacy Skills, Mock Trials, Judgment Writing, Paper Presentation, Research Articles, etc. as this helps a student to develop the reasoning, argumentative and writing skills which are vital ingredients of legal profession. A complete transformation takes place during the process of acquiring legal knowledge. Law students develop the ability to argue based on evidence in a way which can be hard for others to do; it actively cultivates vital advanced communication skills, it imparts keen problem-solving abilities and above all imbibes the capacity for independent thinking. It also helps the students in their overall personal development and goes a long way in not only producing excellent professionals but worthy human beings.

Question 7: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: You were also connected with teaching field. Would you like to highlight any issue that you think would improve and transform the present legal education system?

Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students. Knowledge is power and information is liberating. Although law institutes are doing very well in India, being a part of it, I want to draw attention on some of the intricacies which need to be looked into to improve the overall system, for instance, knowledge and command over the subject are some of the essential skills through which a teacher always commands respect and discipline from the student. Apart from this, it is also necessary to have a passion for teaching as that always helps you to acquire updated information, which you can pass on to your students and motivate them.

Unfortunately, it lacks in the present scenario. Secondly, research work is an integral part of legal studies, but unfortunately, it is not up to the mark in many institutes. A strict benchmarking must be done so that both the faculties and students are benefitted by it. Thirdly, the objective of any academic institution should be to impart both theoretical and practical knowledge in the most enabling atmosphere and in the easiest to assimilate manner. The involvement and duration of practical experience must be increased in a broader/varied way. Lastly, conscious efforts towards promoting interdisciplinary approach will help in providing better and humane solutions to the rapidly growing challenges being faced by the society due to the deviant behaviour of specific individuals, and thereby make the legal education system more effective and relevant.

Question 8: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Do you encourage Legal Blogging/Freelancing as a career option to lawyers/law students/law teachers?

Law is a continues, ongoing process and has its dynamics. Studying law is a demanding task and a true intellectual challenge. It allows students to understand the reasons behind the regulations. Law students/teachers and lawyers should always keep themselves updated. Legal blogging is one of the most significant sources for this. Legal blogging may strengthen the research, reasoning and writing ability, which is an inevitable part of any person connected with the legal field. It is already emerging as an additional career option. Imparting knowledge is a noble thing and freelancing is one of the ways to do this. If you have multiple tasks in your hand, then this can be one of the methods, through which you can keep yourself connected and updated.

Question 9: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: What is your success mantra, and what keeps you motivated in life? 

I am a perpetual learner. Education opens the mind, expands it and allows you to improve your life in so many ways. My success mantra has been, “Making my passion as my profession”. One should always remember that “what we learn with pleasure we never forget”.

Question 10: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: What are the benefits of Legal Blogging for law students?

Legal blogging involves various fields, for instance, contemporary issues, articles, case reviews, notes, and so on. Updated knowledge infuses a strong sense of justice in a person and this motivates them to fight against the ills that weaken the system, devise methods to remove the defects and furnish suggestions to improve the system. A person is always benefitted through Legal Blogs as he is conversant with the facts, knows the factors, understands the dynamics and due to his better-informed position, he /she can ultimately contribute towards making a significant change, in and around him.

Question 11: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Any message for law students & fresh law graduates?

“Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.” – John Maxwell

In my opinion, there are no shortcuts to success. If you want to do something wholeheartedly, you will find a way; otherwise, you will find an excuse. Never say you don’t have enough time because you have the same number of hours per day that are given to others. You must accept the challenge before you can achieve the goal. Every aspiring youth should, at the start, do a SWOT analysis and then set up his/her purpose in life after reasonable thought and enough self-introspection. He/she should feel free to consult his /her confidants and guides.

After having the firm resolve to achieve the target, all energies should be focused on it. I believe that the right goal, the right way, meticulous planning, full-hearted efforts and self-confidence are the key to success.

Question 12: Varun Kumar, from Law Audience: Any quotation from your experience that you would like to share with our readers?

I firmly believe that ‘Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to transform the world and make it a better place to live’. If you want to succeed in your life, always enjoy your work and do it wholeheartedly and with full determination because, “Success is no accident: It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and above all is achieved when you start loving what you want to do.