The national-level “4th VGU R.K. Rastogi Memorial Negotiation Competition,” organized by the Department of Law at Vivekananda Global University (VGU), concluded with grandeur in a dignified atmosphere on Sunday, 25 October, in the university’s main auditorium. The competition brought together 60 teams from leading legal institutions, national law universities and law faculties across the country. It began on Saturday with a message of embracing alternative dispute resolution, dialogue and the spirit of reconciliation. On the second and final day, in rounds based on hypothetical corporate, civil and commercial disputes, participants gave a splendid demonstration of their negotiation skills, reasoning, patience and ability to reach amicable solutions.
The closing ceremony began with the arrival of the chief guest, the guest of honour and the university’s senior management, followed by lamp lighting and a Saraswati Vandana. The guests were then welcomed with bouquets and mementos. In his welcome address, VGU President Prof. (Dr.) D.V.S. Bhagavanulu greeted all the guests, judges and participants and spoke about the university’s efforts to promote practical legal education. He said that negotiation is a part of our lives and can resolve a great deal of trouble. He added that such national platforms give students the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and learn real skills.Senior Advocate and Patron of the event Rajdeepak Rastogi recalled the ideals of the late R.K. Rastogi and said that this competition is not merely a platform for winning and losing, but an inspiration to adopt legal values and ethical conduct. Remembering Mr. Rastogi’s thoughts, he praised his invaluable contribution to society and the legal field.
He further linked negotiation to events of the Treta and Dwapara Yugas, saying that had negotiation succeeded at that time, such great wars would not have taken place.Guest of honour Pawan Arora, former IAS officer and Chairman and Managing Director of the SachBedhadak Media Group, Jaipur, addressed the young law students. He said that negotiation is a positive approach, that society badly needs it, and that it is a solution, not a matter of winning or losing. He urged the law students to work with service, sacrifice and dedication in whatever role they take up, so that the results are happy ones.Chief guest Abhay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of Rajasthan, encouraged the participants and inspired them to adopt the power of dialogue and coordination. He said that to become a good negotiator, one must first become a good listener and also be fact-based. He added that negotiators are a need of the future, through which work will become easier and human capability will be used properly.The most exciting moment of the ceremony was the announcement of the results, when the winning teams were named after tough contests. Nalsar University,
Hyderabad, won first place, while The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, was the runner-up. The Best Negotiator award went to Dev Pratap Singh Petroleum University, Dehradun, and the “Spirit of the Competition” title went to SVKMS, Indore. The winning teams and participants were honoured, and the hard work, discipline and presentation skills of all 60 teams were appreciated.After the results, “Journey of VGU” was screened, showing the university’s academic, research and infrastructural achievements from its founding to date, which the guests and students greatly appreciated. At the end of the programme, Head of the Law Department Dr. Shilpa Rao gave the vote of thanks,