My Lord Chief Justice,

On this momentous occasion of your Lordship's arrival on the land of Chhattisgarh and appointment to the office of Chief Justice. I consider it my proud privilege to rise on behalf of the State Government of Chhattisgarh, Office of the Advocate General and on my own behalf to accord a very warm and Cordial welcome to you and offer heartiest facilitations.

It is indeed a great pleasure to have you as our first Chief Justice Of the High Court inaugurated on 1st November 2000 upon reorganisation and formation of the new State. Born in the year 1941 in ukhrul village of Manipur, my Lord after completing legal education joined the Gauhati Bar in 1967,where he had an illustrious career shouldering many responsibilities. His Lordship's well deserved elevation to the Bench of Gauhati High Court in 1989 marks the rise of Naga Tribals to the highest intellectual fraternity and we are all proud of you. My Lords qualities of head and heart, erudite knowledge and judicious temper have carved out a distinguished place for you. Till recently, our fellow brothers and sisters in the North East were the recipients of justice from you and now , when your Lordship has come to this part of Central India crossing the territorial boundaries of the States, it is our good fortune to receive dispensation of justice at your able hands. In This course, yours Lordship might witness geographical, climatic and cultural differences but, regardless of the states, there is no differences in basic human values of the people. They have same love, trust and reverence in their heart. That is why in these two days we find you as absolutely one of us. Between the People of this state and my Lord, an emotional report and bondage of oneness of everlasting strength has already been established, when on your arrival at the Raipur Airport Yesterday, your Lordship greeted the people saying 'Chhattisgarh Jindabad'. My Lord we immensely value and respect your sentiments and assure you that it inspires us to move together with a common spirit and object in mind to give to the people a High Court efficient in system, quick in delivery of justice and produce a strong, vibrant and responsive judicial system in the state. The tasks rests at the hands of this newly established High Court with my Lord as its Chief, who brings along with him vast treasure of knowledge, experience in all walks of life, foresight and devotion. The task will be accomplished soon.

My Lord, you are the first Chief Justice of this great institution, new to the place, though not new to the legal frqtenity. This High Court is the successor of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and is born with splendid heritage, the ultimate predecessor of both being the High Court of Nagpur in the erstwhile C.P. & Berar provinces. Largely our Procedure, practices and traditions are derived from the Nagpur High Court. Which have over a period  of years stood the test of time and served the institution well.

My Lord, it is true that on 1st of November last the High Court of Chhattisgarh came to be established. It was indeed inaugurated upon completion of constitutional and legal procedures. But, the real task of its establishment has started only thereafter. There are more than teething problems. However, it must be said to the credit of Hon'ble Justice Shri R.S.Garg that he succeeded in making and giving to us functional structure of the High Court in this short span of time with remarkable drive, devotion and untiring efforts undertaking immense pains an Acting chief Justice.

This newly born state of Chhattisgarh is predominantly inhabitated by aboriginals spread over large part of the state. They have not received their due share of right and justice. Nearly three fifth of the State all over the 16 districts comprising it is rich in agriculture mainly paddy growing. Rich produced in exported and therefore, it is justly called the Rica Bowl of the Country. It has abundance of mineral resources, forest and water, Large part of the state was covered by Native Ruling states which were 14 in number and which merged with the Indian Union at the behest of late Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel the great unifier on 1.1.1948. Although, this part is comparatively, economically and educationally poor, yet it has produced many gems in Hindi Literature. The erstwhile rulers of the States encouraged learning in music, fine arts and patronised research centres. University of music and fine Arts at Khairagarh is a unique one.

My Lord, Feudatory states of Chhattisgarh were part of Eastern states agencies which had 39 States in its fold i.e. 14 States of Chhattisgarh, 21 States of Orissa and three states of Bengal viz, Cooch-Bihar, Manipur and Tripura. When Union was formed in 1944, all the States joined except the Three Bengal states Union with its Secretariat and High Court. Mod. Ismail was first Chief Justice of High Court who later so become High Commissioner of Pakistan for India. He was succeeded by sir Bhawani Shankar Niyogi from Nagpur. Legal luminaries like late M.Bhaduri and vakil Ahmed Risvi if Raipur, late D.P. Agrawal of Durg, Barrister Chhedicak Thakur, Devi Prasad Verma, S.C.Mitra, Triabak Rao Dehankar, Kunj Bihari lal Agnihotri, Ramgopal Tiwari and M.S.D. Sharma of Bilaspur and more likes of Raigarh, Rajnandgaon made a very rich Bar. Chhatisgarh Bar has produced eminent judges such as Shri K.M.Agrawal, Retd. Chief Justice, Justice R.C.Shrivastava, Justice K.L.Shrivastava, Justice K.K. Verma, Justice P.C.Pathak, Justice S.D.Jha and Justice S.K.tiwari. It is appropriate that Bilaspur has the pride of locating the highest seat of Judicature. The present members of the local Bar and those shifted here from neighbouring districts in particular the youngsters have tremendous promises in storo awaiting for opportunity, exhibiting the zeal to learn and rise. It would be our duty and effort to guide and encourage them into shaping a Bar compared to any of the best anywhere.

My Lord, this state even though blessed richly by nature with resources has remained far less developed and poor. Social, political and economic justice, the guaranteed rights by the constitution have mostly remained cherished desire of the people. Welfare measures so far have proved inadequate. The Courts have made sincere the numbers. But more needs to be done. The needy and poor craving for justice are looking upon this institution with unbounded faith, hopes and aspirations. It shall be our collective endeavor to provide them justice seedy and less burdensome.

My Lord, the State Government is committed to fulfill the guarantee of Social-economic and political justice to people along with good governance and rule of law. It realise that a strong, independent and responsive judiciary with equipped, efficient legal system constitutes the corner stone of edifice of democracy. At this juncture in the task of leading the judiciary and its system the State Government pleadges its fullest and sincere co-operation to My Lord and the institution. Initially, there may be some difficulties but we intend to overcome them soon though our honest effort and mutual help. I once again welcome you with a very successful and glorious tenure and lots of Good Luck. Our prayers are with you.

Thank you.