By Anshika, Campus Leader at Lawctopus and Learner at SLS Hyderabad
Palomita Sharma is a final year student at Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad. Her biggest strength is her communication skills and how she can easily adapt to situations and settle in. On the other hand, a weakness is the lack of ability to delegate. This interview has been taken by Anshika.
Tell us something about yourself. What have been your sources of inspiration in life, as a child, or as a young adult?
My name is Palomita Sharma, a final year student at Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad. My source of inspiration in life is my parents, both of whom are doctors and work hard every single day, come home, and still do their best to spend time with me.
I aspire to achieve the success and work-life balance that they have. I have also been inspired by various legal professionals who work pro-bono toward the betterment of the legal scenario of this country. It takes utmost determination and a strong will to achieve such goals.
What is your college life like? What were the fondest memories of that place?
College life for me would be limited to my initial two years on campus post which the pandemic struck and college was completely virtual. My fondest memories are spending time with my friends, learning new stuff every day, and running away from classes but still attending them because of the attendance mandate.
It is only when things went online that I understood the value of offline, face-to-face classes and learning. My college is a safe bubble for me, which now that I’m entering my final year, seems to be taken away gradually.
The college has always been active and supported me in all the academic endeavors I partook in.
What strategies, and tricks, did you use to be successful in college (in terms of studies, making good relations)?
It is always about connecting and making good social circles. A good social circle can always help you through thick and thin. I would say that I never needed any specific strategies or tricks, everything fell in place as I was always a keen child who wanted to participate in everything.
One thing I learned was that academics aren’t everything and co-curricular and extra-curricular are also very important.
What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?
My biggest strength is my communication skills and how I can easily adapt to situations and settle in. On the other hand, a weakness I wish to overcome is the lack of ability to delegate. I try to finish work all by myself which is not always the most productive way to do things.
Even life at law school taught me that delegating work is always efficient and time friendly.
What according to you should be the focus of the law students at law school?
How should they shape up their potential career graph? The focus differs for every student, I believe. For some, it is the moots, debates etc. that take up more importance, for some the internships and for others, just the study courses.
It also depends majorly on what outcome the individual wants out of their law school journey. To shape their potential career graph, a student entering law school must try to participate and explore everything in order to learn what is best for the career path they wish to build for themselves.
A balance of all activities and studies would always be everyone’s go-to advice!
What made you choose this career line? Did you always want to pursue law?
Law was never my first preference. I wanted to be a fashion designer but then things took a turn and I saw myself writing entrance exams for law schools. It has been nothing but a fulfilling experience and I hope to make it a successful one too.
Tell us about a little more your journey as a Law Student?
My journey as a law student is exactly how ordinary average law student would be. I took an active part in debates and moots because public speaking is something I really enjoy. I have always made sure that academics are balanced alongside, it doesn’t happen always, but I sure try.
I’ve interned at various exalted firms and am currently seeking an opportunity in Intellectual Property Rights practice.
What are your favorite subjects? What are your current research interests?
Torts Law was always my favorite subject. Eventually, I gained interest in IPR and I keep researching global IPR trends and developments as well as in India, it helps me understand work at my internships better.
Also, do you feel any changes need to be introduced in the current legal education system of our country? What do you, as a law student, feel has scope for improvement?
I think there needs to be some course or way in which students could be guided in order for them to understand their preferred area of law. I see a lot of my peers struggling and stressing over not being able to figure out what area is best for them.
The fact that law schools provide wholesome education on all necessary laws is great, but there also needs to be some way that can aid the students to understand which path works best for them.
How is your mooting experience in the college? What have been your achievements?
The mooting experience at SLS-H is very organized and system-oriented. The Moot Court Association handles the procedures of allotting moots pretty well and they also make sure to provide enough internal mooting exposure.
I have been an active mooter over the years. A few of my mooting achievements are as follows:
- Speaker, SLSH Representing Team, Asia Pacific Rounds, Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition, 2022.
- Semi-Finalist & Best Counsel for Semi-Finals, 11th Amity International Moot Court Competition, October 2021.
- Winner & Best Researcher, 3rd Smt. Nirmala Devi Bam Memorial International Virtual Moot Court Competition, May 2021.
- Semi-Finalist, 7th AURO (in association with the CCI) National Moot Court Competition, April 2021.
How would you describe the debating culture of your college? Which debates have you won?
The debating culture at SLS-H is at a very nascent stage where it is developing and providing the debating space with budding debaters. I have served as the President of the Literary and Debate Society at SLS-H for AY. 2021-22 and been a member of the Society since 2019.
We make sure to provide adequate training to the students and also provide them with opportunities to represent the college at every possible debate competition.
A few of my debating achievements are as follows:
- Runners-Up (Pro-Ams Category), Pre-Asians 2021, World Asian Parliamentary Debate, September 2021.
- Runners-Up (Novice Category), The NLUJ Parliamentary Debate, 2021, September 2021.
- Octofinalist, (Open Category), 9th Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Parliamentary Debate, March 2021.
How would you describe your college in terms of academic placement and co-curricular? What positions have been held by you in college?
Academics at SLS-H are given as much importance as possible while the college also encourages students to venture out and take part in co-curricular activities as much as possible. The same was also ongoing during the pandemic where the different cells, centers, and societies made sure that the students get ample opportunities.
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
