Common Extraordinaire : Tulsi Shah

"I am brought up with a set of principles...Even if I  run out of money and the criminal comes with a heavy pay check I won't defend him"

Being a lawyer is a no mean task. Law tests your perseverance. It also poses some serious questions to your morality. And sometimes it all gets very serious. Tulsi Shah though enjoys every minute of being a lawyer. Not just law, there are other facets of this young lady. Along with law she devotes her time to an NGO "The Candle Project" where she dons the role of a teacher. Environment is also something which is close to her heart. Dynamic and witty, Tulsi is absolutely proud of what she has achieved and has no regrets.In the following interview she talks in length about her philanthropic life, why she chose law, challenges she faces, books and cartoons. Yeah! She loves Cartoons.     

Q1. What made you to volunteer for The Candle Project?

TS: TCP happened at a time when I was exploring the compassionate side of myself. I applied to many NGOs. There are certain causes for which I care very deeply. Education and environment top the list. Moreover, the idea of being a part of a young team of volunteers with shared passion excited me.

Being Compassionate!

Q2. Apart from this you have also talked a lot about being cautious about environment. Why?

TS: Because I want my grandchildren to have a better future *laughs*.

On a serious note, what you do to the environment is ultimately what you do to yourself. In the words of Darryl Cherney ‘I am not an environmentalist, I am an earth warrior” *laughs*. What we don’t understand is that what we do with nature is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations. I have visited places which define overwhelming beauty, if such a term exists, but the fact that it is a rarity has moved me to a degree that it pains me. It’s about time we take responsibility..

Also when I see a tap running or I see water being wasted there is an indescribable feeling within me. The sound keeps irritating me and I am not even exaggerating. So, it could be the reason.

Earth Warrior!

Q3. Since you are so careful about environment could you tell 3 ways in which we can protect our environment?  

TS: The three R’s. Reuse, Recycle and Reduce. It’s the least we can do.

Q4. Coming to your profession, why law?

TS: I’ll tell you when I know *laughs*. Actually law happened by chance. I still don’t know what prompted me to take up law. 

It is stimulating to your brain. You are just not going to your office and putting in numbers and coming back. Every case is different. Thankfully I have an aptitude for the profession.

A dedicated student of law

Q5. A day in the life of a lawyer?

TS: Ummn.. a typical day would include appearing in the Court, reading, researching, drafting, phone calls and meetings. I know what you are thinking but believe me it’s not as boring as it sounds. I am hoping I will have spectacles in a year or two now. 

Q6. What it takes to be a good lawyer?

TS: Well the recipe is a simple but a long one with a lot of ingredients. Perseverance is the main ingredient. Sprinkle it with research and a dash of creativity. Top it with great oratory and logical thinking and good networking. Serve it with a side dish of quick wit and humor. There, you have a great lawyer! *pauses* ok it’s not a simple recipe but lawyers are called super humans for a reason.

Super humans???

Q7. Your first memory of being in a court room. Jittery?

TS: Oh absolutely! But that was also the first time it sunk in that I belong to the profession.

Q8. Are court rooms as dramatic as shown in our films and TV shows?

TS: *laughs out loud* absolutely not! Let me break it to you, the judge does not bang the hammer to silence the audience (I know I was disappointed as well) and witnesses do not miraculously enter at the time of climax. Hindi movies have kind of ruined it. 

Q9. Any recent high profile case that interested you. Why?

TS:None.

Q10. What is morality for you? Would you ever defend a person you know is a criminal? Would you ever get your hands dirty to achieve success? It happens a lot in your field.

TS:Ah! That is a tough one. I belong to a profession where you might have to make the choice very often. However, I am brought up with a set of principles and I hope to hold on to them. So the answer is in negative. Even if I have run out of money and the criminal comes with a heavy pay check I won't defend him.

Q11. Someone from your field you look up to. Why?

TS:Nobody yet! But I do have an image in my head. An image of myself 20 years older!Thoda zyada ho Gaya nai?

Q12. If not a lawyer, then what?

TS: Well it’s a tie between journalism and archeology.

Q13. One cartoon character that you resonate with a lot or a cartoon character that you would love to be 

TS:ONE? *exclaims shockingly*. I am a 90’s baby. I was born during the golden age of cartoon, how can I possible choose one. Swat Cats taught me you can make a huge difference in your own little ways. Power Puff Girls taught me that girls are as powerful and strong as boys, Scooby Doo taught me that with good friends around there is no mystery or problem that you can’t solve. Captain Planet taught me how important it is to be environmentally conscious and responsible. I learnt that a sworn enemy can turn out to be a friend in the end, just like Tom and Jerry. Dexter taught me that it’s cool to be geeky. Sylvester, tweety and road runner taught me that bad guys never win. Scrooge Mc Duck taught me that greed will take you nowhere. Flintstones taught me that you can lead a happy and fulfilling life without technology. Courage the cowardly dog taught me that it is ok to be afraid. The Adams family taught me that you are not weird, you are just different. Winnie the Pooh taught me to be proud of my flaws and 10 other cartoons taught me 100 other things. These cartoons define my entire childhood. These cartoons were way ahead of their time. I cannot just choose one, I just can’t!  *gets caught in a reverie*

Cartoons way ahead of their time

Q14. Are cartoons good way to improve a child’s imagination or they do more harm than good?

TS:Definitely! One episode of Shin Chan will get a child’s imagination soaring. So don’t be surprised if he comes up with different tricks and pranks to trouble you *laughs* (Just off record, I love Shin Chan but I totally support the ban). However, more than watching I suppose creating a cartoon would get a child’s imagination soaring as it involves storytelling and expressing creativity which is very well the cornerstone of imaginative development.

BIG SHIN CHAN FAN 

Q15. You are an avid reader as well. What does reading mean to you? Kind of books you read.

TS: I don’t seek any inspiration from books. I don’t read to better myself or be a better version of myself. For me books are an escape route from reality. For me it is imperative for a book to tell a story and to resonate with the characters. Anything related to politics, philosophy, drama or tragedy is sure to interest me.

I was about 16 when I read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and fell in love with the book.. so much so that I carried it with me wherever I went for over a year..

A must read

Q16.What is hope for you?

TS:Hope…. Hmnnn…hope is waiting for those extra five minutes for the bus before taking the taxi. *laughs*

Q17. What for you is success and failure?

TS:Well success for me would be…*thinks* I actually don’t know. I really really don’t know. I suppose the definition for success keeps evolving and changing with every passing moment and with every situation. At this moment success would be getting myself to start exercising *covers her face*. On the contrary I have always had a definition for failure. Failure for me would be taking the decision of not getting up when life knocks you down.

Q18. An advice you would give to your younger self.

TS:No advice. My mistakes and decisions have shaped me into the person I am today and I am proud of it! But if time machine were a reality I would go back in time and tell my younger self “trust me, you do not want to grow up! But don’t worry, you will be just fine!”

Growing up..everything will be just fine

Q19. A message that you want to send out to world.

TS:Keeping in mind the recent developments around the world, an old saying that every person knows but few put into practice: LIVE and LET LIVE. 

"The greatest success we'll know is helping 

others succeed and grow " ~ Gregory Scott Reid