Speech

By Mr. Justice S. N. Katju,

Hony. Secretary,

High Court Centenary Celebrations Committee

Delivered on the Occasion of the Special Stamp Issuing Ceremony, on Novemher 25, 1966

Mr. Post Master General and friends-

I am very happy to be present here on this occasion when the Stamps commemorating the first Centenary of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad are being released by the Indian Postal Department. The Hon'ble Chief Justice Shri Nasirullah Beg was to be present here at this happy occasion. But he has been unavoidably detained at the airport where he has gone to receive the President of India, and I have been asked to represent him here in his absence. The Calcutta, Bombay and Madras High Courts held their Centenary Celebrations during the last few years. The Indian Postal Department had issued stamps commemorating the Centenaries of the aforesaid Courts and it is, therefore, but proper that similar stamps have been issued on the occasion of this historic landmark in the annals of the Allahabad High Court. These stamps will go far and wide not only in the different corners of our country but also abroad in the different countries of the world carrying with them the remembrance of this memorable day in the history of our Court. I need not emphasise at present the great role played by this Court in discharging its duties in a State which occupies a place of its own in our country. Uttar Pradesh is now the biggest State in India with the largest population among the' constituent States of the Union of India. The Allahabad High Court, with its number of Judges on the Bench and the number of the members of its Bar, is, perhaps, the largest Court not only in this country but in the world. The completion of a century of its existence by this Court is obviously an occasion to be remembered for years to come.

The President of India will inaugurate the Centenary Celebrations of our Court this afternoon. The release of the Commemoration stamps by the Indian Postal Department is the first of the functions to be held in connection with the three days celebrations of the Centenary of our Court.

On behalf of the Court I convey the thanks and appreciation of the Hon'ble the Chief Justice and' his companion Judges and the members of the Bar to the Indian Postal Department for arranging this pleasant function this morning and releasing the stamps to commemorate the Centenary of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. I deem it an honour to have the privilege of being the first purchaser of the Commemoration stamps on behalf of the Court. I again thank you for inviting me to this very happy and pleasant function.