1st Ram Balak Mahto Memorial Essay Competition 2021

The Ram Balak Mahto Memorial Essay Competition is held in memory of the eminent and distinguished lawyer, Shri Ram Balak Mahto (1926-2020). Late Shri Ram Balak Mahto was one of the great legal luminaries in the field of constitutional law along with certain other fields of law. This Essay Competition is aimed to recognise his contributions in the field of law and continue it in his remembrance. The Competition endeavours to stimulate interest and foster growth amongst students to explore and engage with contemporary and seminal issues in the field of constitutional law.

1st Ram Balak Mahto Memorial Essay Competition 2021

The Competition is aimed at understanding the present scenario and developing ideas for the Indian Constitution and examining whether there lies a vacuum in the present text that needs fulfilment. Building on the events in recent times, with numerous controversial Bills and rulings passed by the Hon’ble Courts, the Competition aims to expand and increase academic scholarship in critical areas of constitutional law.

The theme for the 1st edition of this Essay Competition has thus been chosen as “Does the Indian Constitution Require Transformation?” Participants are free to write on, and choose, any suitable topic for their essay as long as it is within the ambit of the aforementioned theme.

Keyword

Constitutional law, Indian Constitution, law, policy, legal policy

About the Organisers

Mr Ram Balak Mahto was the longest-serving Advocate General of the state of Bihar, having served for nearly 16 years, and the chief legal advisor to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. From 1937 to date only 20 Advocate Generals have been appointed out of which, he was appointed six times. Mr Mahto practised mainly before the High Court of Judicature at Patna and had the rare privilege of working with six Chief Ministers of the state in his capacity as the Advocate General.

After graduating from the Bihar National College and later from the Patna Law College, he enrolled himself with the Bihar State Bar Council in 1955. In September 1955, he joined the profession of law as an Advocate at the Patna High Court and, during his initial days, worked with the famous Advocate of his time, Sri Lal Narayan Sinha (who went on to become the Advocate General of Bihar and later the Attorney General of India).

In 1975, he was appointed as an Advocate for the State Government (Government Pleader), followed by his appointment as Government Advocate and then as the Additional Advocate General. Finally, on 5th April 1980, he was appointed as the Advocate General of Bihar. During his last days, he was serving as the Legal Advisor to the Chief Minister of Bihar. As an Advocate, he commanded respect, both from the Bench and the Bar.

The Competition is being organised by the Ram Balak Foundation with unwavering support and guidance by members from both the Bar and the Bench.

Eligibility

The Competition is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in any recognised university/college in India.

Important Dates

Registration Opens: 29 October 2021

Registration Closes: 9 January 2022

Submission Deadline: 9 January 2022

Announcement of Results: 27 January 2022

Registration Procedure

There is no registration fee for participating in the Competition, however, interested participants are required to click here to register.

Prizes

• Winner: ₹ 10,000 and an internship opportunity with a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India/ sitting Judge of a High Court.
• Runner-up: ₹ 5,000 and an internship opportunity with a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India/ sitting Judge of a High Court.
• The top five essays will be awarded a Certificate of Merit. A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to all the participants.

Contact Details

For inquiries, please email us at rambalakmahtofoundation@gmail.com or contact Viraj Aditya at +91 8210697371 / +91 8447488295.

Official website: Click Here

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