Changing one’s destiny is more profound than it seems. It’s a journey of self-discovery and determination that begins with a vision and a belief that one can alter the course of their life. People may be able to rewrite their story, transcend obstacles and create a brighter and more fulfilling future by embracing change, taking calculated risks and staying committed to personal growth. And these could be the stepping stones to shaping one’s destiny and prove with unwavering resolve that transformation could be a tangible and powerful reality.
And what does it take to foster a curious mindset, especially amongst young people who may be lawyers and beyond?
According to expert lawyer Sat Pal Khattar, “One should keep refreshing themselves because law is not an end in and of itself. Most people don’t have the time, energy or inclination to refresh their thinking and have a view outside their chosen profession. But, that’s necessary, because that is what life is about. One can become a great lawyer, but if they don’t keep up with what’s happening in the world, then they’re half the person they could be. And the way to keep one’s mind open is to be prepared to be educated, to learn and to listen”.
So, what should young people keep in mind?
“Hard work is an essential ingredient of any practice, as well as a clear mind. And when one wants to do law, they must aspire to be in the top echelon, which means hard work… There has to be servicing that should be given to clients who have problems and one needs to help them solve them”, declares Khattar.
And in the 21st century, is it better to be a generalist or a specialist, especially as a lawyer? And could these two camps be married?
Khattar remarks, “I used to have a practice of looking at every correspondence that came to the office before it went to the lawyer it was addressed to, understanding problems, client complaints and more. Lawyers tend to be specialists, but they may not look at the practical aspects of what they advise. The client isn’t interested in how many precedents a lawyer puts in a legal opinion, they would like practical answers. Some lawyers who write pages and pages of opinion conclude by saying that the law was unclear, which shouldn’t be the way to go”.
And what creases does India need to iron?
Sattar opines, “India needs to move faster. There’s little doubt that India is going to be one of the top industrial nations in the world, but it needs to get some things right because it’s moving too slowly. Outside India, one could buy a million shares and sell it one week later without needing permission. In India, by the time one finishes signing all the forms and dealing with the formalities, the market has moved in a different direction. And India needs to find its niche”.
“One can be rich and powerful, but in the end, life is limited”, quips Sattar.
Watch the full interaction here:
