V. M. Salgaocar College of Law (VMSCL), Miramar, Goa, under the aegis of the Devi Sharvani Education Society, marked a momentous milestone with the Valedictory Function of its Golden Jubilee on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The event was held at the college’s Conference Hall and witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries from the judiciary, legal fraternity, and academia.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai, whose presence added immense prestige to the celebration. In his keynote address, Chief Justice Gavai paid tribute to the visionary founder of the college for his extraordinary foresight in promoting legal education at a time when corporate social responsibility was an unfamiliar concept. He commended the college for pioneering initiatives such as its incubation centre for young lawyers and praised its continued commitment to legal aid and community service.
Emphasizing the need for legal education to penetrate tribal and marginalised regions, he called upon senior lawyers to invest in fellowships, scholarships, and mentorship programs. He concluded his address by urging students to uphold the values of hard work, ethical commitment, and public service, reminding them that determination and dedication matter more than academic rankings.
Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, graced the function as Guest of Honour and congratulated the college on completing five decades of excellence. He highlighted the institution’s efforts in promoting women’s participation in law and lauded its academic rigour.
Among the special invitees were Justice Mahesh S. Sonak and Justice Bharati Dangre, Judges of the Bombay High Court. Justice Dangre spoke passionately about the role of lawyers in defending fundamental rights and dignity, especially in the context of women and marginalised communities. Justice Sonak, an alumnus of VMSCL, reflected on his personal journey and paid tribute to the Salgaocar family for their enduring commitment to legal education.
The function featured the felicitation of distinguished alumni who have served or are serving as judges, including Justices Mahesh S. Sonak, Valmiki Menezes, Ashwin Bhobe, Filomeno Reis (Retd.), and Utkarsh Bakre (Retd.), in recognition of their contributions to the judiciary and public life.
Dattaraj Salgaocar, President of the Devi Sharvani Education Society, delivered the welcome address, expressing pride in the college’s 50-year journey and reaffirming the management’s commitment to nurturing responsible legal professionals.
Dr. Kim Couto traced the institution’s history, highlighting key milestones such as the establishment of 27 free legal aid cells, launch of the incubation centre, and various green and community-focused initiatives. Principal Prof. Dr. Shaber Ali G. delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, and alumni in building VMSCL’s distinguished legacy.
The Valedictory Function marked the culmination of a year-long series of Golden Jubilee celebrations, which began with an inaugural address by Justice B.V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India. Throughout the year, the college hosted numerous events including a logo design competition, the launch of the incubation centre, and an essay contest titled “My Vision for VMS: Gold to Platinum,” engaging students, alumni, and staff in reimagining the future of legal education.
Established in 1973 and renamed in 1997 in honour of the late Vassudev M. Salgaocar, VMSCL is a government-aided institution approved by the Bar Council of India. It offers LL.B., integrated five-year law courses, and LL.M. programs. The college was recently accredited with an ‘A’ grade by NAAC in May 2025, reaffirming its place among the premier legal education institutions in the country. Guided by the vision, “Let justice be done though the heavens fall,” and the mission, “Excellentia, Justicia et Humanitas,” VMSCL continues to uphold the highest standards of legal education, ethics, and service.
