"Glass Ceilings Are Broken When You Empower Others To Stand As Tall As You Do": Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir Gita Mittal Retires

"My dear friends, I have only just begun – I have really miles to go before I sleep", said Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir Gita Mittal as she retired from office on 8th December, Tuesday. Currently, Justice Rajesh Bindal, the senior-most Judge of the High Court has been appointed as the acting Chief Justice. A Full Court Reference was conducted to bid her Farewell as she bade goodbye to the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Justice Mittal began her address by quoting Lincoln – "Lincoln once said that the best thing about the future was that it came one day at a time. The day has arrived when I have to thank this institution and all of you for the valuable contribution each one of you has made to my professional and personal life". She continued by apprising everyone that she never had any ambition or expectation that a person like her could ever be considered for Judgeship, and that when she had been invited to the Bench by Chief Justice Arijit Pasayat, she had been rendered speechless. Invoking the will of God in choosing the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Chief Justice Mittal recounted that she arrived with the "hope to build a bridge of equity between the Courts at Delhi and in J&K". "During my time as the Chief Justice here, I have tried to embed the abounding spirit of inclusion, equality, non-discrimination and justice in our courts. Towards this end, I strived to inculcate judicious bonding, sharing the values of judicial discipline, honesty, ethics and confidence in the justice dispensation system." Being the first woman Chief Justice of the High Court, she was informed that she was breaking a glass ceiling and making history. "…life has taught me that the 'glass ceiling' is not about arriving at a position – getting a law degree, becoming a lawyer, getting appointed as a judge or even as a Chief Justice. Glass ceilings are broken when you start making a real difference to whatever you do, when you uplift others behind you and empower them to stand as tall as you do, when you enable them to stride ahead of you. So, my dear friends, in this, I have only just begun – I have really miles to go before I sleep." Chief Justice Mittal also recalled the beauty of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir by stating that it was unique, incomparable and inimitable. She remarked that she hoped she had been able to contribute in some manner to the Court as a lawyer as well as a Judge. She further acknowledged the "gratifying and cherishable experience" that she had and for which she credited the Judges who unhesitatingly assisted in the changes and adaptations, while bearing her impatience to do as much as she could in the little time she had. "I must acknowledge the encouragement that I received because not one of you have complained of fatigue or annoyance. None of you have ever said that "our style is better than yours" or "what exists is good enough". The very fact that you have permitted, facilitated and encouraged the changes, welcomed the adaptations and new ideas shows the desire all of you have of qualitatively adding to justice dispensation." She concluded her speech by thanking her brother and sister Judges, the Registry, the High Court staff, members of the Bar as well as her Law Clerks for the assistance they rendered to her. "I would end my address with a beautiful observation by Charles Dickens.- "We forge the chains we wear in life." I will therefore, of my own accord want to remain attached to this institution and the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as long as my journey on this Earth continues."

"Glass Ceilings Are Broken When You Empower Others To Stand As Tall As You Do": Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir Gita Mittal Retires

Radhika Roy

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