By Lalita Roshni Lakra

New Delhi, Feb 10, 2020: The beginning of everything is tiny and slow but important. I received a religious vocation in my childhood. I hail from Kurdeg Hatta village, situated in the vicinity of a hundred-year-old parish named Kurdeg in Jharkhand State.

The Daughters of St. Anne (DSA), Ranchi, used to visit our home frequently. It was because my mother was helpful to the head of the convent.

My mother used to give her time to the superior and accompany her for agricultural work or to arrange the laborers for the convent. Whenever nuns visited our house, I performed some dance or recited poetry that I had learned in the school. The sisters impressed me because they loved us so much. At the same time, their simplicity and way of life touched my heart and amazed me.

The call to religious life matured by the time of my tenth grade exam. I was 16 then. Before the results were published, I joined DSA as a postulant for six months. Then I was sent to novitiate for two years. I took my First Vows on January 6, 1999. After one and a half years’ of my community experience, I went for Intermediate in Science and Bachelor’s in Science at St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi –2000-2005.

Man proposes and God disposes. During my tertianship (spiritual preparation before my final vows), my authorities asked me about my area of interest. I replied, “I love social work, but I am open to the superior’s final decision.”

Subsequently, I met the then Assistant General (Late) Sister Ethelina Ekka. Never had I known that she wanted me in this line ever since I started studying science. She was overjoyed to hear my great desire to work in social development.

She started searching for colleges that offered a degree in Masters of Social Work (MSW). She wanted me to study at Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, but it was ruled out as it was too far to travel by train every day to the college. Later she decided to send me to Christ University, Bangalore, and I finished the course in 2009.

Soon after my MSW, I was sent to the Xavier Institute of Development Action and Studies, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh for one year of experience.

As a Social Worker

In 2011, I was appointed the Social Work coordinator of the Ranchi province and at the congregational level. I was the junior-most coordinator at that time, but I learned much.

The Superior General made me a part of the NGO of the Congregation that was situated in another province. I stayed there for about a year and later returned to the Ranchi province due to my ill health.

With the superior general’s permission, I enrolled for law degree in 2015. While studying law, I served as the regional CRI (Conference of Religious India) secretary of Jharkhand and Andamans. I finished my law in November 2019.

With the law degree, I was ready to resume my previous responsibilities, but I was sent to Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Tribal Affairs, New Delhi, on a three-year contract.

As a Lawyer

I passed my All India Bar Examination in November 2019. As a lawyer, the first case was from a school of Ranchi, Jharkhand. News was published in Hindi newspapers regarding paddy harvesting by one of the school’s students in Jharkhand.

It was an occasion to use my legal knowledge. I wanted to help the principal, teachers and students who were so scared and worried after the news that appeared in newspapers and social media because many government authorities of the education department came for the inspection of the school.

So, as a lawyer, I helped to reply to show-cause notice that came from the education department. I went to the school and met the principal and staff. I took the statements from the students as well.

I met a few high officials in the education department also. I provided legal aid to the concerned school. Thus it was resolved amicably. And the school was happy with me for solving the issues of paddy harvesting because it was the matter of the existence of the school.

After some time, another case was published in a Hindi newspaper in Ranchi. It was regarding maligning the character of a hostel warden-vice principal and a teacher who was a nun. It disturbed me because the victim was my elder sister. I prayed to the Lord for wisdom and knowledge to solve this problem also. So, like King Solomon of the Bible, I prayed, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind that I may discern between good and evil” (1King.3:9).

After this prayer, I got strength from God, to speak the truth and fight for it. I realized God’s power in my heart and mind.

With the power of the Lord, I was able to unravel the murky game of the culprit. It was surprising to know that it was the Sister Principal of a prestigious school of Ranchi, who was the former provincial and one of the councilors of the Superior General. She prepared a complaint sheet, got typed and made the three students sign on the complaint to publish in the print media. Thus she committed a big crime of defamation. Through the grace of God, I was able to gather substantial pieces of evidences from the students and other reliable sources.

All the evidences have been submitted to the higher authorities right on time. It pains me a lot because this incident was character assassination and attack on an innocent person. And Alas! No action has been taken yet against the culprit because she is the principal, one of the four general councilors and also a former provincial of Ranchi. Justice is not done to the innocent victim. The victim is emotionally shattered and disturbed. This is also the irony of today, but I am sure that the truth will prevail.

Supreme Court Experience

Being a tribal lawyer, I did not even imagine that I will enter the Supreme Court of India. The previous night I did not sleep because of the excitement to go to the apex court.

Entering the court gate with a lawyer’s robe was an exciting experience. It was great to see the big court campus. All lawyers looked busy with their clients and documents. Many read or scribbled something or others getting ready for the arguments.

I attended a few hearings and review arguments at the Chief Justice’s Court. I learned a lot from the listening skills of the Chief Justice and other justices. They have a tremendous amount of concentration and patience. According to him, no innocents should be punished and guilty should not be acquitted. I learned discipline and maintain the decorum in the Court and the premises.

I am learning a lot by discussing with many eminent and experienced lawyers about the legal profession.

Over time, I have realized that lawyers are to read a lot and explore new knowledge and information. So, it makes me new always.

The Bible and the Indian Constitution are two strong and powerful weapons for me that make me read every day like daily bread, whenever I travel or get free time. Knowledge makes every person strong and powerful. That is true for the legal profession.

Finally, either I am a social worker or a lawyer, at the bottom of it is what permeates in me and my work is my love for Jesus, His principles and values that I try to live and radiate through little service I render.