Interviewee: | Ms. Architi Batra (Vice President, Niti Manthan) |
Interviewer: | Hunar (Junior Editor, RGNUL Cosmos) |
Introduction: Architi Batra is an exceptional lawyer and has a keen interest in the fields of Policy and Research. Currently serving as a Research Consultant at the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC), Architi has been a part of Niti Manthan, a think tank organization that facilitates young minds toward holistic development in all spheres of their passage as a law students in inter-disciplinary fields, for more than 3 years now. She represented India at the United Nations, Geneva under the United Nations 60th Graduate Study Program. The Director of Young Leaders for Legal Literacy Foundation, Architi has been a part of various research and policy studies, founded research centres and has been a part of esteemed panel discussions and conferences in the Indian legal sector. Before joining the NHRC, Architi worked full-time with a startup in Legal Tech incubated with AIC-JNUFI, AIM- Niti Aayog.
Q.1) The field of law is extremely diverse and filled with opportunities that are constantly under the lens of scrutiny by most aspiring students. You decided to do your PG Diploma Course from NLSIU in the field of Medical Law & Ethics. How did you come across the same and how has it helped you further your interests and career choices?
Answer: Before I stumbled into this fortunate field of Law, I wanted to become a doctor. I studied PCB with Psychology and when I entered the field of law, the hankering to study Medicine stayed. My growth to study and educate myself in Medical and Health Law is the amalgamated branch of my brain that wanted to become a doctor and today wants to work as a Policy Maker and work for issues in Public Health. My final year dissertation in Law school was also on the subject of Public Health Federalism. The PGD program ensured that while continuing to work full-time, I do not disconnect from my life as a student. A majority percentage of the students in my cohort were doctors understanding legal jargon from a medical standpoint to practice Medicine ethically and legally. So today, when I await my result, it gives me a proficient field to be a part of in the future as the medical community forms a big percentage of pending litigations in our country, and expertise especially in this niche area gives one a significant edge in their professional approach to this field.
Q.2) You have a great experience with Policy Making and Drafting especially by working and interacting with agencies like the NHRC, DCPCR, and CJLS. While policymaking forms an integral part of a country’s development, how far-reaching are its effects? Did you face any obstacles with the implementation and execution of the strategies you formulated?
Answer: I would say there is a lot of theoretical work and literature that subsists on all areas and issues of study on the internet and in our libraries but there is a huge gap in implementing them. This could be either because the study does not reach the right agency or it does not factor in external factors that hinder the implementation of any project. Another major gap is the absence of an understanding of the area and geography you wish to work in. Geography brings in language, cultural, political, legal and other differences that are roadblocks in the implementation of a policy you work on in a room with air conditioning and on your laptops. Unless you survey the end user of any product/ research/ draft and the willingness of the stakeholders involved, it shall only remain a publication on a website and a bullet point on your CV. For anyone who wants to get a brief understanding of how academic engagement can be utilized in Public Policy, you can take this online certification from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on edX. It is free of cost and you can do it at your own pace. It is a good introduction to this subject. The prime takeaway is, apart from being a researcher and an author of these policies, also learn to promote and involve the civil societies and government agencies working on the same issues for a more comprehensive approach.
Q.3) You had the spectacular opportunity to represent India at the United Nations 60th Graduate Study Program in Geneva, Switzerland. How has the experience of interacting with members of other nations helped you enrich your skills as a lawyer? Furthermore, do you think varied exposure, especially internationally, helps a lawyer in any way? How did you end up coming across such an opportunity?
Answer: As someone who was born in Delhi and did her schooling, university, and works in the same city, I did lack exposure to diverse interaction on a global scale. The UN GSP Program was such an intense and significant experience. It opened me to a world where work and personal life were given equal importance and it promoted me to work to bring a change and not just for the sake of competition to get ahead of my peers. I met fellow global leaders who are doing significant work in their communities and it is an honour today to be able to call them my friends. I have understood the world better than I ever could within just the walls of my own home or educational space. I definitely promote applying for as many distinct opportunities and programs as these, only if litigation is not your area of interest after pursuing law. This will not only expose you to the varied fields of work but also be rewarding to your personal growth. A simple tip, narrow down a few websites that collectively post such opportunities along with their eligibility and deadlines for applications on a regular basis and apply. An example of the United Nations is that they have multiple volunteer programs always open in different parts of the world on their UNV website. Working in one such program could open doors to places you did not even have on your list. The application process can be time-consuming and repetitive for sure as along with your resume, you will have to modify your statement of purpose according to the requirement of the position multiple times and list down things repeatedly in their formats which might already be in your resume in a crisp manner. However, one such time-consuming task did honour me with the opportunity of representing my country at the UN, and thus, I recommend it wholly as long as it aligns with your vision for your future. Do not do it just to compete with your connections on LinkedIn.
Q.4) Apart from Policy Research and Development, you are also the Vice President of Niti Manthan which aims at being an enlightening platform to facilitate a holistic understanding of law and society. Furthermore, you are also the Director of Young Leaders for Legal Literacy Foundation which organizes summer school programs and legal literacy outreach programs for young students of various fields in order to undertake policy research and development. How have you as a leader, dealt with various conflicts that might have arisen at various stages of the development of these foundations?
Answer: Definitely. As these are student-led organizations and everyone works pro-bono, it is difficult to incentivize people to stay for long. It is not only your quality of work that can sustain the people working with you. It also must be the environment you give them to enjoy their creative freedom and a platform to put across their views. Thus, our model at the organization attempts to bring students to the forefront. An intern in their first month, is the project director in their third month at the organization. We require a constant push to set new milestones and be equally invested in this along with your university education and full-time jobs. While we talk about international exposure at organizations at a global scale, our organizations are providing the same community and interaction platform for students pan India. Especially with everything going virtual in the pandemic, we had participation from students pan India from Universities without the distinction of them belonging to a Tier 1, 2 or 3 college. Quality of work and the correct attitude can only be expected if you lead with an example. Thus, conflicts do arise but the percentage of them falls very short of the support we have received.
Q.5) Both establishing and expanding such institutions require a great amount of zeal and effort. How did you manage to undertake various initiatives and stay creative and always motivated? Is there any advice you would like to give out to those students who wish to undertake similar initiatives in the future?
Answer: My law academic institution did not provide me with an environment where I could potentially flourish outside just the bounds of my traditional classroom. But my schooling pushed me to be original and innovative at every step with varying opportunities. I remember being in my third year of law school and mentioning to my friend (Founder, Niti Manthan) that I feel like I have not done anything till now and it just got overwhelming. And he said to me, “What are you waiting for? If you have come to this realization, create your own space. If it feels like a lot at the beginning, just start somewhere.” Thus today, if there is an avenue you feel is missing or is getting difficult to infiltrate even after multiple attempts, but you have the idea, do it on your own. Surround yourself with like-minded people professionally and do not hesitate in seeking help or mentorship. If you hesitate in taking the chance out of fear or rejection, you will never know if you were capable enough for it.
Q.6) Recently, you accepted the position of Research Consultant at The National Human Rights Commission of India. Do you think previous experiences in Research and Development have helped you reach the position where you are in today? Furthermore, research is a fundamental part of every law student’s life, however, do you believe it plays an essential role in specific fields of law they may choose to be a part of? (For example- Corporate law)
Answer: Most definitely. Publications and previous research experiences are a big factor in your selection for any government position such as this. Even if you have coursework in law school to write papers, try to write them efficiently and on themes of papers that have put out a call for applications so that you can publish them along with submitting them to your university as coursework. All universities have their own journals and blogs as well. You can start from there. However, this isn’t the necessary criteria for selection for other fields. Working in firms specific to certain subjects like IPR or corporate law will judge your academic knowledge of the laws and regulations and previous internships in the same field instead of research exposure. Although even for working in firms, you need to be aware of how to use research tools like SCC and Westlaw.
Q.7) You have had diverse experiences and your career trajectory has been excitingly vast. Was there ever a feeling of instability or just a simple lack of direction when it came to choosing your next goal or something that you wished to undertake? Furthermore, has the same impacted you personally in terms of the interpersonal skills you developed from being a part of so many projects?
Answer: In my job interview recently, I was asked if I was fickle-minded because I had done so many things in so many varying fields. The simple answer is no. I was determined. As I mentioned, law was never a career path I entered with sufficient forethought. Thus, to understand the varying options it could offer me, I had to try and work in all areas available to know what fit me. I did internships in corporate law, district, high court, firms, mediation, etc. but I was constantly waiting for my internship tenure to be over for the certificate instead of enjoying my work. It was only when I worked for DCPCR, you can say that I found my calling. I liked working in a government institution wherein I could be involved directly along with doing research and working on complaint redressal which was instant. Thus, once I figured that out, I narrowed my research to avenues of policy, international relations, and potential work with the government. And of course, working in such varying companies builds your communication and networking skills.
Q.8) Students are usually doubtful and frown upon choosing Research and Policy Development as their career choice due to various factors, the major one being the lack of growth and opportunities in the context of India. Do you feel this popular sentiment is stereotypical and the said field is brewing with new and exciting opportunities? Furthermore, what advice or tips would you like to give to students who are underconfident about their research skills?
Answer: Research is often synonymously taken to be in the same avenue as academics. Most research schools are part of universities and offer positions to their professors. Whereas, external think tanks are either very less or extremely competitive especially when it comes to the field of policy. The competition there is manifold as it’s not limited to just students of legal background but other inter-disciplinary fields as well, such as economics, political science, criminology, etc. A piece of advice would be to learn tools like citation styles, review of literature, understand research methodologies, and apply them to your writing style. And of course, prominent avenues are fewer, so don’t sit back and wait for that one big thing and lose out on other experiences. Keep working diligently and keep applying for fields of interest in the meanwhile.
Q.9) Your insight into various aspects of the Legal field has helped us make this interview an enlightening experience for all students. Is there any advice or specific message that you would like to give to the students in order to make their law school journey more interesting and easier?
Answer: Do not be too hard on yourself. Give sufficient time to experiences that you can only live and enjoy in your 20s. It is not necessary for everyone to realize their calling at the same time. Yours will come to you at an appropriate time and when that does, work hard and diligently towards it. Most importantly, do not do things just because your friends or peers are doing it. It’s okay if even after 5 years of law school you do not find yourself enjoying the field. Do not be afraid of making the change if you are sure that your skills can be better used elsewhere.
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