Very recently I finished reading an autobiography of one of the eminent advocates of India
I think it would be necessary to give a brief introduction of Mr. Nariman here, although it would be unnecessary for all those readers from this field. Mr. Fali.S.Nariman is one of the very famous advocates of India. He first practised in Bombay (he started his practice in the year 1950) and then moved to Delhi (1972) as he was appointed the Assistant Solicitor General of India and resigned from the office when Emergency was imposed in 1975 by Mrs. Indira Gandhi's government as a symbol of protest. He was offered the post of a High Court Judge of Bombay when he was still 38 years old but he refused it due to financial reasons. Years later, he was offered the post of a Supreme Court Judge (A direct appointment) which he refused as he felt he may not make a good judge! He was appointed as a member of the International Human Rights Commission. He has also been a member of the Rajya Sabha in November, 1999. He received the Padma Bhushan Award in the year 1991 and later received Padma Vibhushan Award in the year 2007. So, this introduction would be enough to know what a wonderful and thrilling life Mr. Nariman has led! Now, let's come back to the book.
This autobiography was something different and different in a very pleasant way! I loved reading every bit of this book! Though this book would interest readers with a legal background, Mr. Nariman has explained the legal terminologies/aspects so well and in such simple terms that even non-law people would find this book quite interesting. The book is rich with the varied experiences of Mr.Nariman and his style of writing is just so beautiful that the reader thoroughly enjoys reading it!
One very beautiful aspect of this book (It'd be more apt to say, one of the very beautiful aspects of this book) is that Mr. Nariman has given an account of all the important things that happened in the nation interweaving those with his life. Since he was an important part of the many many important cases/judgments (The Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, for instance) that were passed in the country during 1970s ans onwards, the reader gets a close up report and also the inside stories of those incidents.
The next important aspect is that, the author has written about every aspect of his professional life with such frankness that, I felt, needs a lot of substance for any man to write that way! He has spoken about some of the Judges of the Supreme Court before whom he has appeared and has praised them with whole heartedness and also condemned their acts in the same way, when he found their behaviour unbecoming. He has spoken about the many landmark judgments passed by the Supreme Court and has given a very scholarly and critical analysis of those judgments and their outcomes. It is intellectually so appealing that it leaves the reader in awe of the author!
As mentioned earlier, he was appointed as a member of the International Human Rights Commission and through that, he received international recognition and reputation. And also as mentioned above, he appeared in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, On behalf of the Company! (Union Carbide Corporation - the Respondent!) because of which he also received quite a lot of criticism. The author very beautifully writes, "In life there are no unmixed feelings. With 'international recognition' there also came international criticism for my assuming the role of lead advocate for Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) in the civil litigation arising out of the Bhopal gas tragedy." The criticism was that, he being a member of the "International Human Rights Commission" how could he appear on behalf of the company that was the reason for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in his nation, which was a gross violation of the human rights! The author has furnished full details of the criticisms and comments that came his way and his answers to those criticisms without any improvisations. Basically, he has narrated the incidents as is! That was something which I was found very amazing and amusing.
Though the book is about a lot of serious incidents and experiences, Mr. Nariman has kept it interesting through his refreshing sense of humour and simplicity! And he has not spoken too much about his family anywhere in the book! That, according to me is a very very good aspect of this book! He has spoken about his family very rarely and has provided details which were necessary for that point. Also, another refreshing thing about this book is that, it does not feel that the author is just talking philosophy and preaching the reader. He has, just in 2-3 sentences given very important messages, regarding life as well as profession, which have a profound impact on the reader. The book doesn't drag anywhere! Also, another important point that should be mentioned here is that, Mr. Nariman has neither boasted about his achievements too much nor has he maintained the veil of false modesty! The book is very well balanced and shows the refined writing skills of the author!
Thus, all these aspects put together make "Before memory fades" a reader's delight! I tried to find atleast one negative aspect of this beautiful book, but I could not!! This book is that good! I urge all those who are reading this blog to read this wonderful book. :)
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