Dr. Vijay P Tiwari is serving as an Associate Professor of Law in Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (Affiliated to GGSIP University), Delhi.  He currently addresses students of LL B on ‘Constitutional Law’ and ‘Administrative Law’ and ‘Law and Social Transformation’ to LL M students. He has been a part of various seminars and conferences at national and international level. During his student life, Dr. Tiwari has been an excellent debater and now, he is the Convener of the Discussion and Debating Society of Vivekananda Law School and also Member of Academic Council, Examination and Discipline Committees of VIPS.

Please tell us about your schooling and the decision to take Law as your career.

I did my schooling from a government school in my village after which I joined Indian Air force. During my posting in Delhi, Varanasi ad Nagpur I pursued  B.A., LL B and LL M (Constitutional Law and Human Rights) and cleared NET conducted by UGC followed by Ph D in Law from National Law University, Jodhpur.

Initially I had opted Law because I wanted to know law of the land so that I can be a law-abiding citizen.    But I could not resist its fascination and became its life time student.  I consider this to be most attractive area because it is related to us and covers all areas and aspects of our life. Besides it gives a golden opportunity to help others in a variety of ways including protecting their life, liberty, property and dignity.

Please tell us about your teaching experience. Did you face any challenges?

Teaching has been my passion ever since my childhood.   During student life, I use to teach my class mates and juniors.  But I started my full time teaching career from NLU, Jodhpur in 2005.  I always considered teaching to be the best profession, since it gives us the opportunity of ‘man making, nation-building and character building’ process by inspiring young talented minds to do their best in life.

Indeed, teaching is a performing art and has many challenges. Today, students are well-informed, career oriented and professionally demanding.  This requires teachers to be on toes, well-read and well prepared to satisfy the quest of the students not only relating to their own subjects but also to other aspect of life and career. Today’s teachers are required to give  much more time to research and studies and this poses a challenge to balance between their academic, career-progression, family and social life.

Please tell us about your experience as the Professor of Constitutional Law.

Students take a lot of interest in understanding development of Constitutional provisions, particularly those restricting governmental powers.  I am happy that today’s students take keen interest in understanding laws relating human rights and human dignity,  good and corruption free governance and also laws relating to   justice, liberty and fraternity.

Since you have taught students from NLU and non-NLU colleges, any piece of advice you would like to give to the Non-NLU students particularly?

Students at NLUs learn ‘law in action’ by doing extensive research and internship and also by participating in debates/discussion, moot court, seminars, conferences and workshops.  These days’ non-NLU students are also very talented with an urge to excel in their life.  They are also participating in all these events.  But I feel that they need to research more, practice well before participating in events and intern extensively and sincerely.  I think the time has come for non-NLU students to be in driving seat.  I wish them best of luck and thank you for this interview.

Interview taken by Roopali Mohan

Campus Associate

VIPS, New Delhi