Alumni Shashank Shekhar Rawat - Lawyer at the Allahabad High Court, shares his story of how his school inspired him to fight for justice

It is well known fact that children are led by example. Positive environment during childhood often results in a well developed adult. 

Mr. Shashank Shekhar Rawat, an alumni of Shyam Ji Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Orai, currently working as a lawyer at the Allahabad High Court, is one of many who identified his life’s goal with the help of his school. Following are the extracts from a brief telephonic interview with him.

Interviewer : How were you inspired to become a lawyer? Did your school have any role to play in the same?

Mr. Shashank : My main inspiration to become a lawyer most definitely came during my school days. Our school used to hold “Model Court Sessions”, at least once a month every year. We, the students from class 6 to 12, used to take part in these events. Competitions were held to determine who will play which character. The students from grade 12 usually ended up playing the Judge, and those belonging to the lower classes became lawyers, witnesses, etc. Dressed in black robes, and serving mock justice was when I was first inspired to be a lawyer. Also every student was made to go on stage and speak, or tell a story in front of others. That definitely turned out to be very helpful towards increasing my confidence in the long run.

Interviewer : What inspired you to stay connected to your school and Vidya Bharati in spite of having a busy schedule?

Shashank : I have had a strong attachment to my school from a very young age. My father was a part of the management team from Vidya Bharati for our school. Thus both my school and Vidya Bharati has been a center of focus all my life. I, too, have been a member of Vidya Bharati in the past for the very same reason. Another reason for the strong connection would be the close relationship I share with everyone at our school- both with the staff and my peers. Since there were no other schools around, all my friends belong to the same institution. The school holds yearly Alumni meets, where we are all invited. These functions helps us keep connected as well.

Interviewer : What would be your message? (for your school, Vidya Bharati and the students)

Shashank : I would like to give a simple advice to the students. Attend your classes daily, and go to school regularly. You will get everything you need from your classes. As it turned out for me, you would need no additional help. 

To Vidya Bharati, I would like to suggest modernising your modes and techniques of education. A little more focus on English, with the same stress on imparting education in the mother tongue will also help the students in the long run.

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad is thankful to  Shashank Shekhar Rawat for sharing his story with us.

To register as Vidya Bharati Alumni, kindly register your details in the Alumni Portal