Is there anyone who also need some external motivation to do something (E.G. publishing). If I am working for someone, I would give my best and try to timely finish the work, including doing quality research, but if I decide to do something on my own and for myself, it becomes difficult and I encounter another self who keeps procrastinating and perceiving the same as unachievable. I do manage to come out of it sometimes, but can anyone share what worked/works for them? It becomes more difficult when such efforts does not give desired results. I generally encounter difficulty in starting/initiating anything. Once I start working on something, I do manage to finish the same.

The voting pattern tells you about the mindset of law school kids these days. They seem to consider a mugging up exam for hicks like the UPSC more prestigious and coveted than the Rhodes 🙄🙄🙄 I presume these are the same geniuses who hate Sudhir for imposing strict academic standards and glorify mediocre profs who hand out easy grades?

Oh one more glaring fact about compensation that they hide from new joinees until they join.

They have a system called "Factor System". Your monthly salary is not fixed.

The compensation that your contract says, a percentage portion of it is dependent on monthly recoveries. So suppose your salary is 1 lakh, you may only get 80,000 in a month and rest 20000 will depend on how much you were actually able to collect (credited with the firm) in that month out of your expected monthly collection. If you manage 100% only then you get that 20000 but if you dont, you never see that money.

Also they keep that target so high that barring 1 or 2 teams (cyclically) no one meets that collection.

So as a thumb rule, everyone has to discount their on-paper compensation by 20-50%. Yeah that variable percentage of 'factor' keeps increasing with increase in level. Though they dont charge factor system on first years, but its upto them to decide. Also its depressing when you burn the midnight oil to churn out deliverables (you will need to) and then you dont even get your full pay coz the client has not made the payment yet. Oh you may think that we should just charge advance billing. Guess what, seniors hate to do that coz clients are so old and that would be insulting to ask.

Therefore it is expected that apart from being a lawyer in a big firm, you have to be a collection agent. You are expected to call and remind clients to make payments. In the politest of manners, again and again. Every week you would have to allocate some hours for it. Time that could be spent on doing actual work.

And they only tell you all this on the date of joining, when you are too late to make any informed decision.

In my view, the factor system is the most nauseating thing that exists here and only here. I have not come to know of any other firm that does this. Firms usually keep the monthly compensation fixed and only year-end bonuses depend on actual collections (which makes total sense).

One glaring fact about compensation that they hide from new joinees until they join.

They have a system called "Factor System". Your monthly salary is not fixed.

The compensation that your contract says, a percentage portion of it is dependent on monthly recoveries. So suppose your salary is 1 lakh, you may only get 80,000 in a month and rest 20000 will depend on how much you were actually able to collect (credited with the firm) in that month out of your expected monthly collection. If you manage 100% only then you get that 20000 but if you dont, you never see that money.

Also they keep that target so high that barring 1 or 2 teams (cyclically) no one meets that collection.

So as a thumb rule, everyone has to discount their on-paper compensation by 20-50%. Yeah that variable percentage of 'factor' keeps increasing with increase in level. Though they dont charge factor system on first years, but its upto them to decide. Also its depressing when you burn the midnight oil to churn out deliverables (you will need to) and then you dont even get your full pay coz the client has not made the payment yet. Oh you may think that we should just charge advance billing. Guess what, seniors hate to do that coz clients are so old and that would be insulting to ask.

Therefore it is expected that apart from being a lawyer in a big firm, you have to be a collection agent. You are expected to call and remind clients to make payments. In the politest of manners, again and again. Every week you would have to allocate some hours for it. Time that could be spent on doing actual work.

And they only tell you all this on the date of joining, when you are too late to make any informed decision.

In my view, the factor system is the most nauseating thing that exists here and only here. I have not come to know of any other firm that does this. Firms usually keep the monthly compensation fixed and only year-end bonuses depend on actual collections (which makes total sense).

I’ve worked with KCO and I actually felt they did promote a work-life balance and that it was a tad different certainly as compared to other law firms. I knew some folks who came in at around 9.30 am or 10 am, didn’t dawdle/take too many breaks, and left by around 7.30/8 pm. Objectively these too are long hours but better than other law firms is my guess.

Absolutely! The English could be a bit less interesting at points, but he definitely gets this right. However, I do think that he may be overstating the problem (of judging people just by performance in UPSC) to a certain extent. I think his portrayal of the problem would have aligned more with what was the case a few years ago, but not to such a great extent today; that's not to say, though, that he isn't wrong to focus on the problem to the extent it exists today, especially if it manifests itself by things like Rhodes winners not receiving the coverage they so clearly deserve.

“UPSC is quite over-hyped. For instance, this year, two Kashmiris achieved a monumental feat by receiving the prestigious Rhodes scholarship, considered the epitome of academic excellence globally. Despite its significance, all major local newspapers overlooked this achievement. Had it been about UPSC, headlines would have flooded the papers. The disparity in coverage raises concerns about society’s fixation on UPSC, overshadowing other remarkable accomplishments. Securing the Rhodes scholarship is as noteworthy as cracking UPSC, yet our societal narrative remains fixated on the latter. If a person who finds his name at the bottom of selection list makes headlines, why doesn’t a remarkable feat like getting Rhodes scholarship even find mention in the last pages of newspapers? This reflects as how we as a society has become obsessed with UPSC, which is taking a heavy toll on intellectual growth of our youth. They are not able to think beyond UPSC. ”

https://kashmirobserver.net/2024/05/18/yes-upsc-is-good-but-there-are-far-better-options/#google_vignette

You agree with this?

BREAKING NEWS

NFSU receives funding of ₹2254 crores ($275 million) for expansion, enhancement, and excellence.

Here's the press release: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2026705

people say virat kohli and all work very hard but the truth is a T-1 lawyer works harder. but ultimately in this game called life, everybody in india knows the former but nobody cares about the latter. so where are the guys who said working hard is a panacea? lately been feeling pretty deflated knowing that no matter what i do - nobody cares about me - i could die tomorrow and the deal will still go through - another rainmaker can produce the exact same results, the client wont care about me etc. i will never get invited to the ambani wedding, no kid in my colony will say that 'X' lives in my colony - for the kid i am just another office goer - no supermodel will date me because despite working so hard , i still dont make enough money - so all this work for what -

but if virat doesn't play tomorrow, who knows what'll happen - we don't have any replacement for him.

im sure even virat feels the same way when he compares himself to cr7- the fact that he is nothing in front of cristiano ronaldo

so how to get over this thinking guys - should i just believe that life is unfair and move on? or do you suggest anything else - even when i enjoy my work - i think to myself - nobody gives a shit about me

pls help sir/ma'am - i am not trying to diss on the fraternity - ofcourse lawyers are important but im sad about the fact that i wont ever be worshipped like cricketers, celebs etc

Just randomly-- How qualified or experienced are the VCs of different NLUs?

Sudhir for example, is easily a doyon of his field. Bajpai in NLUD is something interesting, though information about his own qualifications isn't really present anywhere. SKDR accompanied Bajpai in the embarrassing Criminal Law review, but what else has he really done? NUJS VC- less said about the better considering the recent news.

In Jindal, whatever the kids or problems associated with them and the culture of exclusion as there may be, Rajkumar is easily pretty brilliant in his planning and work- though it has been under scrutiny as well considering the recent suppressions of speech and dissent.

Just wanted more thought to this question- how do VCs across NLUs compare and is there a need for more student-led movements (such as that in NLS) to demand quality albeit rigorous VC appointments?

How do people feel about their VCs and how could they be better?

The million dollar question is this: can these documents be made public? Or do they have to be kept confidential, as they were submitted in the course of the Italian investigation? Are we bound by Italian law? Does anyone know?

https://businessworld.in/article/what-did-pm-modi-bring-from-italy-523536

I am confused about which career I should pursue. On one hand, I have the option to pursue a BSc in Economics from NMIMS and on the other, I have the option of pursuing law from either JGLS or NMIMS. I am also preparing to appear for CS Executive paper this December (this happened before i got to know I am eligible for BSc Economics).
My biggest concern as of right now concerning law is the toxic culture at law firms and 0 work-life balance. As of right now, I am thinking of pursuing a BSc in Economics for 3 years and then 3 year LLB if, by the end of my Economics journey, I feel like I still want to pursue LLB. Can anyone shed some advice if it is worth doing 3 year LLB, what are some of the things that I should consider before choosing law etc?

That's just an excuse. All of it. There are plenty of people who have a family to take care of, aged parents, ailing siblings, partner and kids. Yet they manage to complete their PhD in time, since they know that's important to help them serve their family more. Instead this numbskull couldn't even complete his PhD in the mandated maximum 6 years. Now what good is his research when the topic he chose would be a decade old for the current times.

Also what do you mean he was getting little to no incentive in NALSAR ? He's already getting paid like the rest of the professors. If he took on Admin roles it's his responsibility. Moreover when he knew he had to complete his PhD first, he still did a stupid thing to take on many roles.

Bt now I'm happy. The Messiah and his blind followers are finally together.

https://theprint.in/budget/not-enough-time-left-same-fiscal-constraints-why-july-budget-maths-will-be-similar-to-februarys/2138218/

This runs contrary to reports in the media saying that this will be a major budget that will give income tax relief and announce reforms. If the article in the Print is correct, then middle class support for the BJP is going to wane further. They clearly didn’t learn the lesson from low turnout in the election, it seems.

Honestly, this is the worst finance minister India ever had!

SidC joining NLSIU is good for him and NLSIU. Sudhir deserves the credit to bring the best people from all over. NLS faculty today is miles ahead of all other NLUs.

The situation of Nalsar is really worrying. Present VC failed to recruit even a single Nalsar alumni or a promising faculty member in entire term. Nalsar falling each day. SKDR proving to be the worst VC in the history of Nalsar.

Yes, that would be absolutely delusional. Toxic teams don’t reform because they know its working for them. Healthier teams don’t degrade because they know its working for them. Culture is very top down, so if your partner is a slave driver like mine, she will not change and neither will her minions.

Best is to move to another firm where you know people who vouch for the culture. Or hang in there and collect the paychecks you need before you get out once and for all and go in house (wish me luck bestie!!).

May you please prove with the help of statistics of the previous years that this is nothing new?

While we do that, please do also tell how many consistent years of temp rise happened previously due to the said effect? Were the temperatures and the rise across the years of the same intensity?

NLS grads are doing well because they have placements, network and brand value associated with NLS which is mostly present because you must crack a national-level entrance exam to get in.

The mere fact that NLS grads are successful doesn't mean it is due to the education that they received. Correlation doesn't equal causation.

Legal education at NLUs and other colleges could certainly use some reforms to make students better lawyers.

thats your specific judgment of the guy- not even any of his policies. Other people, including myself, disagree with you. Its a shame that this particular website allows people to constantly defame sudhir while doing everything they can to protect every other VC from reputational damage. You cannot say true things that have happened at other universities without moderation, but just call sudhir whatever ugly thing you want and its fine.

Hes a loyal guy who didnt mind staying at NALSAR. He felt obligated because FM had given him a job when he had left NLS in controversy. It might also honestly be just because he was doing his phd and hes a married guy with a kid who didnt want to disrupt his life too much. adults make these decisions based on a range of factors. Sudhir has been offering chauhan an nls job since he joined nls- its not his fault chauhan only made the move now.

so youre just gonna dismiss the argument because of grammar and punctuation? on a post on a website called "legallyindia" where things like "how should i get back at my ex after a bitter breakup?" and "should I sleep with my female boss" are discussed?

It is quite elitist to claim that one must have perfect punctuation and grammar to speak truth to the most powerful court in the land no? Or elitism is okay when it helps your biases?

Your best defence for that atrocious judgment is that its "well drafted"? and not "well reasoned"? I think that there says all of it no. Try and say something actually substantive next time. If your ideas are so great, why not try and actually convince other people through evidence and argument instead of dismissing them?

You're completely wrong. Its embarrassing, you should educate yourself. According to the All India Hijra Kalyan Sabha, something like 95% of hijras are castrated males, not people born with genetic/ biological abnormalities. Its extremely dis-ingenous to claim that hijras are intersex then isnt it? Until this new political wave- members of the all india hijra kalyan sabha were in the supreme court begging the court to step in and stop forced castrations on minors and destitute men. We all have memories that go back farther than 2014 and we have google. you can look this up.

Intersex people dont want to be a third gender, they want to assimilate into society and not be subjected to unnecessary medical treatments. Intersex people are not " biologically neither male nor female". Most intersex people clearly are either male or female, there are like five kinds of intersex conditions ( of which there are thirty odd specific conditions). Most of these conditions only happen to one of the two sexes. Even with the conditions that happen to both sexes, most intersex people are actually male or female and this is clearly discernible, because they are on a developmental pathway that leads to reproducing via large gametes (ova) or small gametes (sperm), even if that pathway is interrupted by congenital conditions. many intersex people dont know they are intersex until late adolescence. There isnt a person alive today, nor has there been a person alive, who wasnt on the pathway to produce ova or sperm. There is no person who produces both or a mix, theres no person who reproduces via sperg or spegg. There are many people male and female who produce neither eggs nor sperm- that doesnt stop them from being male or female. Castrated bulls do not become cows. Colin Wright and Richard Dawkins have both said things to this effect, you can look it up.

Trying to argue that hijras or transgenders are all intersex is coopting a medical condition for political aims. Its like faking a disability to get out of the draft or to get to use dedicated parking spaces. And these groups are at odds. Trans identified people want to change their biology and get "sex change" operations, not just for themselves but even for other peoples children. intersex people dont want medicalisation by and large and are trying to resist forced medicalisation- this last is even in supriyo. Trans people want to be known as third gender, intersex people dont. Trans identified people want to remove sex segregation as a policy, intersex people dont.

The NALSA judgment doesnt merely recognise intersex people as third gender. Have you read NALSA? where does it say you need to be diagnosed with a genetic condition for you to be "third gender"? It recognises that a man- fully a man, a man who has had children and a wife, functioning reproductive organs and all- can "identify" as a woman. To do so he needs neither castration, nor "sex change" surgeries nor nail polish and make up and a spinny skirt. He literally just needs to say it. That is what the import of NALSA is- self ID. This is not based on anything biological at all, its based in a soul claim about self perception and an "inner perception of self". The claim is that you can either be a girly barbie or a manly GI joe, and anyone who doesnt identify with that has to go on a gender journey to figure out the gender of their soul, and that that "gender identity" is what forms the basis on which the law should recognise you. Im assuming you are a complex person, which gender does your soul have? are you a girly barbie or a manly GI Joe? Can souls only have gender? can souls have race and caste and all that? why are so many souls born in the wrong body? who is putting souls in the wrong bodies? to believe in gender identity- you not only have to believe in a soul, you also have to believe in a god, and a god that makes mistakes. And you have to fundamentally believe that womens souls are just different than mens souls, that socially constructed gender goes down to the core essence of who we are. If you believe that- you can be persuaded to believe that women are just not cut out for work and education and should do womanly things like baking and childcare.

What does identifying as a male/ female/ third gender without a biological basis mean? what are you identifying as? How does a male born in a male body having male genetalia know what it is to be a female? He can feel discomfort in his body- we all feel discomfort in our bodies. But how does he know what being female is about? Is there an explanation that you can provide that doesnt rely on ugly social stereotypes that dehumanise women? I am female , because ive only ever been in a female body, I have been very uncomfortable and distressed at my female body- but I cannot begin to tell you what it would be to be male anymore than i could tell you what it was to be a 6'5 black guy- its just not an experience I will have. How do males know theyre "really female on the inside"?

Why is gender the one area where you can identify in and out of a group without any biological basis? Why not race? why not disability? why not caste? Why can I not identify as a dalit if being called a brahmin causes me great distress? Why can I not identify as a wheel chair user if walking around makes me feel great distress? With every other characteristic the law protects- its an immutable characteristic that youre just born into. This is clearly not immutable no? the claim is that its fluid so in fact- very mutable, should the law protect mutable characteristics as if they were immutable?

Please explain- what is gender? what is the difference between gender and sex? what are the roles behaviours that people in other two genders are doing that we need third gender? Do you know the difference or will you keep confusing sex and gender?

https://newcriterion.com/article/the-hypocrisy-of-noam-chomsky/

Excellent, excellent article which LI readers must read, given the blind adulation I see for this man among ▮▮▮ law school students and faculty. It's really appalling how he fanboyed Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge and got away with it. The last para of this article is a zinger:

"Chomsky has declared himself a libertarian and anarchist but has defended some of the most authoritarian and murderous regimes in human history. His political philosophy is purportedly based on empowering the oppressed and toiling masses but he has contempt for ordinary people who he regards as ignorant dupes of the privileged and the powerful. He has defined the responsibility of the intellectual as the pursuit of truth and the exposure of lies, but has supported the regimes he admires by suppressing the truth and perpetrating falsehoods. He has endorsed universal moral principles but has only applied them to Western liberal democracies, while continuing to rationalize the crimes of his own political favorites. He is a mandarin who denounces mandarins. When caught out making culpably irresponsible misjudgments, as he was over Cambodia and Sudan, he has never admitted he was wrong."