Forensic science, It is cornerstone of truth and justice: Vice-President

It is a delight to address vibrant, forward-thinking academic community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and that knowledge directly impacts national security, justice and development. Forensic science, as we all know, is not merely a technical field. It is cornerstone of truth and justice.

What does it ensure? It ensures that evidence speaks louder than opinions and facts are triumph for speculation. Imagine the state of criminal justice system when we did not have the impact of forensic science. Justice was casualty.

Not any longer. Forensic science makes it sure the guilty is punished and the innocent is saved. This institution, with its state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research, and dedicated scholars, is nurturing the next generation of forensic experts who will serve as the guardians of truth in our society and mind you if truth does not prevail criminal justice system collapses and therefore those in the field of forensic science ultimately you help pin down the one who should be suffering ultimate culpability.

The importance of this university goes beyond its academic excellence. It is a symbol of our nation’s commitment to upholding justice in all objectivity. As a matter of fact, you are students of law in some sense.

This university is working towards glorifying our preamble of the Constitution. And all three facets of that are fundamental to humanity and human existence. My young friends, the knowledge and skills imparted here equip professionals to tackle complex challenges in crime investigation, national security and civil disputes.

Most importantly, your domain is critical because it enhances the faith of our citizens in the rule of law. Miscarriage of justice is a very demoralising factor for society. And without application of forensic science, miscarriage of justice is not avoidable.

Forensic science is more than just a tool to bring perpetrators to justice. People take it. It is much beyond that.

Perpetrators of justice do really suffer. But this also helps in establishing innocence as well. And a society that cannot listen to the cry of an innocent person is a society that is bound to slide down.

You are the bulwark. You are the warriors of forensic science. You are bulwarks between an innocent person being held guilty on oral testimony that is prejudiced and motivated.

Your skills come to the agent and to the surprise of those who seek to wreak vengeance. Friends, it is a multifaceted discipline that goes to unlocking the mysteries of our world, safeguarding our communities and shaping the course of our nation’s development. It is forensic science that makes us believe facts are stranger than fiction.

Some of the crimes of dastardly nature when a person faces acquisition and he is innocent. And when the entire society rises in one voice that the guilty must be punished, the innocent’s last hope is forensic science. From investigating environmental disasters to authenticating critical documents, from analysing crucial evidence to uncovering the truth in complex legal proceedings, forensic science plays a pivotal role in our daily lives and in the larger tapestry of our nation’s progress. You will not have the occasion to see the times I saw as a lawyer.

Oral testimony was all-important. And a dying declaration would result in the death of a person because a dying person was supposed to be speaking nothing but the truth. And this was not withstanding the perception to the contrary in the people at large.

Your expertise came to rescue earlier and your extremely penetrating, incisive technology will now save the innocent and take the guilty to the gallows. Forensic science provides the tool to uncover the truth. Sometimes truth is very difficult to uncover.

It takes a lot to discover it. Because of the technological advancements, particularly disruptive technologies, truth comes to be shrouded in a mysterious web. You help a truth come up and shine.

The accuracy and reliability of forensic evidence has made it an indispensable part of the modern legal system worldwide. I indicated a while ago. First, blood was good enough.

Then they said it should be human blood. Then they said, oh, it should match RS negative. Fine.

Now DNA, and now much more, you know it. It strengthens the rule of law. I would go to the extent of saying it finally strengthens the rule of law.

Because a rule of law cannot exist firmly unless it is firmed up on truth. And truth is something which has to be discovered. And discovery of the truth cannot take place through persons who are subjectively minded.

They are heavily opinionated. They are fixed to an outcome or a conclusion. In this scenario, shrouded in mystery and clouded, forensic science dispels all doubts and helps us reach a conclusion that is firmed up finally.

This is the fountainhead of democratic values. My young friends, in the field of cyber security paradigm shift is taking place day by day. It is turning out to be a challenge to institutions, to society and individuals.

Forensic science has taken on a new dimension. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, exponential, the need for forensic experts who can investigate cyber crimes and protect our digital infrastructure has never been greater.

India is a country that is on the rise. The rise is unstoppable, and more so in the field of digitization. Boys and girls, we account for more than 50% of global direct transactions. Our internet usage per capita is more than that of the US and China taken together.

Hundred million farmers thrice a year benefit from direct transfer, and therefore security is all important. It is your expertise that helps them keep away from cheats, those who seek to destabilise the system. The work, my young friends, that is being done in this domain is crucial for safeguarding our national security also, protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust in the digital system.

So far, we have been absolutely ahead of other nations. But challenges are emanating every day, and therefore you will have to be on your toes. I remember at this time what a great philosopher in pre-Socrates era said, Heraclitus, the only constant in life is change. He reflected that the same person can never enter the same river twice, because neither the person is the same nor the river is the same. You have to take care of change which is much faster than Heraclitus imagined thousands of years ago. My young friends, in a world grappling with challenges of climate change and ecological degradation, forensic science can play diverse roles, diverse affirmative roles.

It can help identify the sources of pollution, track wildlife poaching and monitor compliances with environmental regulations. I have been saying for a long time, reckless exploitation of natural resources we are unmindful when we do so, that we are threatening our own existence. We forget that we do not have another planet to live on.

We will have to keep this planet safe for our future generations. It requires convergence of all human energy to see that this planet remains what it is and improves. Forensic science can play a major role.

The ability to scientifically determine the cause of environmental damage which is critical. You can tackle it when you only know the cause. It is essential for holding violators accountable and preserving our national resources for future generations.

Friends, it was in 1989 I was elected to Parliament and in 1990 a minister. Then the size of the Indian economy was just that of or equivalent of a city of London and Paris. You will not believe it. Just a city of London. And where we are? In the last ten years we have gone to a situation now as the fifth largest global economy on the way to becoming the third largest just in two years, if not earlier. And in this scenario as India continues to grow and evolve the challenges we face become increasingly complex.

Unfortunately some of the challenges are emanating from within and without. We find people fail to respect our nationalism. It is our bounden duty as citizens of this great country to keep national interests uppermost much higher than political or self-interest.

There are people quick to capitalise on disturbance in this country. What a pain my young friends, people in authority who are great lawyers, have been ministers, have been members of foreign service. Say what happened in a neighbouring country can happen in this country? Not a chance.

Such people must not be dealt with by your silence. You must open your mind. You must take to social media to see that such narratives that are sinister reflect pernicious design to destabilise the largest function of democracy on the planet.

We have to neutralise them. Friends your skills will help combating terrorism and organised crime also in addressing environmental degradation and cyber threats. And the need for your skill is on the rise.

You have to get out and see that this skill is needed not only in the country but outside also. Forensic science employment as I said earlier helps the criminal justice system to nab terrorists and criminals. I urge the students and faculty of this esteemed institution to continually strive for excellence in research and innovation.

Your contributions to forensic science should not only meet global standards but set new benchmarks as India’s continual rise is exponential and trajectory is geometric. We no longer have to think who is ahead of us. We have to be far ahead of the second one in the line.

And that my good friends is taking place in several fields. Not many countries in the world are grappling with disruptive technologies as India is grappling. I don’t want to make much reference to it but just imagine quantum computing. Green hydrogen mission. And when we talk of disruptive technologies, ours is a country that is focusing on machine learning, blockchain and commercial exploitation of 6G will take place from 2025 onwards. So in every field India has to be on the rise.

And what is this rise that I and others speak of? From being fragile 5, we are big 5. I can’t believe my eyes. I could never dream of this in 1989 and 1990 when I was a minister. That was the time when our foreign exchange was fluctuating around 1 billion US dollars.

And the gold had to be physically airlifted for Switzerland to be placed in two banks. And now our foreign exchange is in excess of 660 billion and in a single week we can add 6 to 7 billion US dollars. The World Bank for a change says digitization of India has put the world in a format where it can emulate.

We accomplished in 6 years what normally is not possible in more than 4 decades. The International Monetary Fund recognizes India as a bright spot of investment and opportunity. A favourite global destination. The only economy that in spite of global headwinds, difficult terrain and air pockets is on the rise while large economies are struggling.

With the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the Lunar South Pole India being the only country to do so, we have created history in space as well. Across various frontiers of cutting edge technology we are frontrunners.

In this backdrop of unprecedented and exponential progress of Bharat, my young friends, you must look at yourself not just as students of your own subject but as a torchbearer of India’s future. According to me each of you is far more seriously a stakeholder in governance of this country and rise of this country than any other sector. The Marathon March of 2047 for Viksit Bharat when India attains the Centennial of Independence you are the most important propellers.

You are drivers of this great march and I am sure it will fructify in 2047 in Viksit Bharat if not earlier. So my young friends apply your expertise to the pressing challenges facing our nation. Collaborate with government agencies and industry to create practical solutions that benefit society as a whole.

I advise my young friends and to you to other young friends don’t be in the groove of getting into government service. Don’t rush to coaching centres. Don’t get into those silos because opportunities in other areas are enormous, more productive.

They will test your skill and knowledge and they will spur you to innovation and research. Take for instance forensic science. Why would an expert or knowledgeable person in this field run after a governmental job? Think about it.

Let us desilo our opportunities in government service. I appeal to every student and professional in this field to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity because your dilution of ethics can help escape a terrorist and can send an innocent man to jail, gallows. Always let truth guide your work and ensure that justice is served without bias and compromise.

Ethical dilutions can make forensic skills monstrous, unmanageable monstrous in outreach. So ever be committed to the sanctity of forensic analysis. To the faculty and researchers I commend you for your tireless efforts in advancing science and for nurturing the minds of tomorrow.

Your work is laying the foundation for a more just and equitable society and for that the nation is deeply grateful. My young friends, I have no doubt I have been across the globe. I have seen the respect people have for India.

The very name India strikes a different kind of surcharge in the people I meet. We are on a fast recovery to seeing India that was Bharat centuries ago, that is Vishwaguru. Together let us build a future where science serves as the guiding light for a strong, secure and prosperous India.

I am indeed privileged to make such a demand on your time. I wish you the very best in your life and career.