Chief Justice of Supreme Court J S Verma having a look at the exhibits of the library at Rajabai Tower while Vice Chancellor Snehalata Deshmukh and former Sikkim Governor Homi Talyarkhan look on at the 141st foundation day programme of University of Mumbai on Saturday. MUMBAI, July 19: Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India Jagdish Sharan Verma has lamented the disturbing trend in today's higher education system that is forcing more and more students to seek help from courts.Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the 141st Foundation Day celebrations at Mumbai University Fort Campus on Saturday, Verma remarked: ``Going by the number of litigations filed in courts today, a student starts his career not in classrooms but in courtrooms; and by the time one litigation ends an academic session is already over.'' In a lighter vein, the CJ added that the only possible attraction to such a trend is that students will end up gaining more knowledge of the court proceedings. ``Sometimes the courts are inclined to grant stay in favour of the petitioner at the cost of an entire student community,'' he remarked.Recalling his childhood days spent in Mumbai, Verma said: ``I remember Mumbai was the most cosmopolitan city; there can be no better education than to live in Mumbai.'' He later went on to study at Allahabad University and practised law in Madhya Pradesh, before finally becoming the Chief Justice of India in March this year.``Mumbai University was founded in 1857 which was also the year of war of Independence; and this year while we also celebrate the golden jubilee of India's independence, we should scrutinise our past to plan for the future. However, the greatest need of the hour is that extra bit needed to add to our literacy and education,'' he expressed.Stressing that the basic purpose of education was to make you into a good person, Verma said: ``Without being good you cannot realise your true potential; hence in spite of all the advancement in science and technology I feel proper values are needed to improve the quality of our society.''
