Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck was the Chief Guest at the 31st Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, India, on August 26.

The Convocation Ceremony, held for the nearly two thousand graduands of Class of 2023, was attended by the Chief Justice of India, Justices of the Supreme Court of India and Judges of the High Court of India, Chairperson of the Bar Council of India and its members, ministers and officials of the State Government of Karnataka and other dignitaries from India’s legal fraternity.

In the convocation address, Her Royal Highness highlighted the important role legal professionals can play as “social engineers” in society and urged the graduating students to live by the values of Justice, Service and Wisdom in their professional lives. Her Royal Highness said, “Guided by GNH, our Majesties the Kings have demonstrated that justice, service, and wisdom are not mere ideals but pillars that sustain a harmonious nation. Their profound wisdom, selfless service, and commitment to justice is what makes them the true “social engineers” of Bhutan.”

The National Law School of India University is considered a torchbearer in legal education in India and is one of the partner universities of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law. 

The day before the convocation, Her Royal Highness delivered a special address to the students of NLSIU and held an interactive session with the students. Her Royal Highness and the Chief Justice of India also inaugurated the university’s new library. 

Her Royal Highness is in India on a four-day visit at the invitation of the Government of India. During the visit, Her Royal Highness met senior officials of the Government of India and judiciary, and representatives of leading law firms and companies in India. Her Royal Highness also congratulated the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO) for the historic Chandrayan-3 soft landing, taking India to the moon.