This interview has been taken by Priti Kumari, who is a campus leader at Lawctopus.
Please introduce yourself to the readers. What inspired you to choose law as a career?
My name is Arohi Srivastava, and I am a student at the NMIMS Kirit P. Mehta School of Law in Mumbai. I am currently in the second year of the Law Degree programme.Coming from a small town, I had to overcome several obstacles on my way to college. But it was my desire to help the needy that kept me going.
My hometown is Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, that’s where I completed my 10th and 12th grades. I was always interested in learning about crimes and the perspectives of criminals, which is perhaps why I selected law as a career.
To be honest, law is such a crucial part of our lives, and is practically omnipresent, that any lawyer may make a significant influence in the lives of the individuals they work with and represent in court. My interest is genuinely piqued by the possibility of making a significant contribution to the well-being of others while at the same time being rewarded well for it.
I’ve always felt a strong desire to assist underprivileged people in asserting their rights, and this is where I hope to work.
So, tell us more about you law school and tell us how is your law school journey till now also highlight some of your academic achievements.
When I first stepped in the halls of the law school, it seems like only yesterday. Living my life as if it were a scene from the movie “Student of the Year,” and then suddenly realising that I’ve already completed almost half of my journey. It comes as a surprise to me that I feel both anxious and excited at the same time.
When I first started attending college, there was a point in time when I seriously considered dropping out. I was alone in this place as I was very new to the culture here, and I longed to be with my family. I didn’t share the news with nearly anyone that I was going to retake the CLAT. When I think back on those emotions, I realise that they were completely unnecessary.
When I think back on the past year that I spent studying law, I realise that not only did I learn how to multitask but I also acquired a wealth of new information. But I can say with absolute certainty that my journey up to this point would not have been complete without the fantastic faculty I have here.
They are always there to point me in the proper path and help me find my way. Because of the welcoming nature of the faculty here, we frequently receive assistance in areas that are not included in the study plan. Simply put, I believe that using words to explain the journey up until now and beyond would be understating it.
To my relief, not all of the information I gained along the way came from books. Because I was able to complete an internship at both the District Court in Kanpur and the High Court in Allahabad, I was able to obtain a better understanding of how the law operates in practice. The knowledge that we obtain from education is not at all comparable to the experience that we will have in a real courtroom.
You will only get the opportunity to live college life once, so you should make the most of it.
This journey will be unforgettable because of my friends, the fun we had, the work we have done together and the stress that we endured throughout our examinations. Do not, under any circumstances, surrender if you find that your path through college has taken an unforeseen detour.
Find your buddies, and you will without a doubt figure out how to get out of this predicament, whatever it may be. I consider myself very fortunate to have friends here that have become like family to me.
Arohi tell me about you being HOD of Forentier Welfare Society. Tell us how is your experience with it.
The Frontiers Welfare Society is a PAN/INDIA NGO which works with the motto “Leading from Front” to promote and protect the rights of children, especially those from marginalised communities.
In order to do this, we have held various Legal Camps in remote areas to raise awareness about legal rights, cyber fraud, and helpline numbers. We also have partnerships with B.K.M High School, Grant Road, Mumbai, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Chittaranjan, and Modi college, Kota.
Our main goal is to protect the legal rights of women and children and help and support them in any way we can. So, we have taken on a number of “pro bono” cases for people who are on the outside of society. Our teams can be found working in a number of states in India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, amongst other places.
The FWS hosts annual competitions such as the Moot Court competition and other similar events. These events give an equal opportunity for students attending various institutions across India to congregate and demonstrate their skills. Up to this point, we have organised more than ten legal camps around the country in various locations, including Mumbai, West Bengal, and other cities.
With me, it has always been a very rewarding experience to work for such a respected non-governmental organisation. Like I said before, one of my lifelong goals has been to work in the nonprofit sector and provide assistance to individuals who do not have as many resources as others.
When I was younger, I was always taking baby steps and informal projects, but they were never commitments. Therefore, after becoming a part of FWS, I was able to achieve my dreams, and the experience of making someone else happy or adding more information and learning to the life of another person might be one that is valuable and worthy of being treasured.
As the Head of the Department of Finance, I have gained a great deal of knowledge regarding the management of money, which has also assisted me in maintaining control over my own personal expenditures.
In addition to serving as Head of the Department of Finance, I also lead a group of 14 members in Kanpur who are all dedicated to advancing the goal of spreading joy. Up to this point, we have carried out a large number of activities, including the distribution of clothing and food, among other things. Our mission is to extend as much of both social and legal aid as is within our means to those who are deprived.
What motivates you to go on and do what you are doing?
The person who has the greatest consistent effect on my level of motivation is my mother. She has never been more than a few steps away from me, regardless of the challenges we’ve faced together. She has never abandoned me in times of need.
She instilled in me at a young age the necessity of being independent and spreading love and joy whenever and wherever I could. She taught me this from the time I was a child. The example of a good person that I want to follow is that of my mother.
In addition, I find that working on a team is the best way for me to stay motivated, and I have also learned that the most satisfying aspect of my work is being able to encourage, support, and advise other people.
Teamwork is something I look forward to because I am a part of an NGO and I do good actions merely to see the smiles on the faces of other people and to see them get better.
Even though I don’t anticipate receiving anything in exchange for these good deeds, I believe that these actions will be extremely valuable. This is due to the fact that committing random acts of kindness not only makes the person happy but also brings me a sense of calm and satisfaction within myself.
Any advice or suggestions you want to give to young law students and your peers.
According to what I’ve learned throughout my time in law school, the two most important qualities to maintain are positivity and consistency if you want to make it through the programme. Attending law school is not merely an extension of your undergraduate studies; rather, it is the initial stage of your professional career. As a result, it is beneficial to act appropriately. Keep pushing and Never Give Up!
During your time at law school, especially during the first year, you will always have the feeling that you do not comprehend some of the content as well as you should or that you are not capable. But at the end of the day, you have to remind yourself that you’ve come this far and that’s something to be proud of.
Keep in mind the importance of making self-care and mental wellness a top priority. When you’re continuously putting your energy into other things, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re in a high-pressure atmosphere like law school.
In addition to your academic pursuits, you should also participate in the activities of any activities or committees that pique your interest. You will be able to create more memories and, of course, take a break from your studies as a result of doing this.
A student who is entering law school should make every effort to take part in various activities and study as much as possible about their potential career graph in order to figure out what will serve them and their future careers to the greatest advantage.
Put in a lot of effort, but also try to lead a regular life and have some fun. Particularly for all of the students who, like myself, have left their birthplace and gone to an entirely new city, it is quite crucial to have a good company to hang out with.
Friends are the people who stand by you through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad. I’ve discovered that the friends I have made in college are the ones I will keep for life. They will always be there to greet you with open arms when you return home.
I guess everyone will always recommend striking a healthy balance between all of your activities and your education.
This Interview is a part of our Star Student/Faculty interview series wherein our campus leaders interview the star student/faculty of their college. Stay tuned for more!
Source: Lawctopus
