Women are making significant strides in both education and law, demonstrating leadership that fosters inclusivity, innovation, and social change. As they break barriers and challenge traditional norms, their influence is reshaping the landscape of these fields. Professor Ved Kumari exemplifies this transformative leadership in legal education. As the Vice-Chancellor of National Law University Odisha and a former Dean at the University of Delhi, she has been a staunch advocate for social justice and equity within legal frameworks. Her commitment to integrating community involvement and ethical considerations into legal education inspires students to not only understand the law but also to engage with it as a tool for empowerment and change. Through her work, Professor Kumari is paving the way for a new generation of legal professionals who are equipped to address the complexities of justice in society.
Her journey is rooted in humble beginnings — from an MCD school in Delhi, where her early teachers sparked her love for learning, to becoming a respected voice in India’s legal academic circles. “I was lucky to have teachers who made me feel seen, inspired, and curious,” she shares. That early support became her foundation for a lifelong commitment to education and justice.
It was during her LL.M. and Ph.D. that she found her calling: working with children in the juvenile justice system. Seeing the realities of the law beyond textbooks changed everything. “Law isn’t just theory,” she says. “It lives in the lives of people, especially those without power.”
Influences and Inspirations
One of the biggest influences on her thinking was Professor Lotika Sarkar — a bold feminist legal scholar who challenged norms not just through her writing but also her presence. “She was our role model — fierce, expressive, and unapologetically herself,” recalls Professor Kumari. That spirit continues to guide her work on gender equity and juvenile justice, two areas she believes are essential to truly inclusive legal education.
At NLU Odisha, she has made community involvement a core part of the curriculum. Legal aid isn’t just theory — it’s a course. Students participate in real-world outreach through initiatives like the Legal Services Society, Pro Bono Club, and even sports and cultural events that include children with disabilities and those from rural backgrounds. “Academic learning and social responsibility aren’t separate — they fuel each other,” she insists.
Her leadership style is grounded in values. She believes education shouldn’t just prepare students for jobs, but for life. In her words, “We’ve moved from wanting to create wise people to just making job-ready graduates. But what about ethics? What about justice? What about empathy?”
Challenging the Status Quo
In her powerful guest article titled “Embedding Justice, Ethics, and Inclusion in Legal Education,” she questions laws that appear neutral but carry hidden biases. Whether it’s how dowry laws are applied or how gender roles influence legal outcomes, she urges students to look deeper. “The law can empower, but it can also exclude — depending on who writes it and who it’s meant to protect.”
What sets Professor Kumari apart is not just her intellect, but her clarity and conviction. She doesn’t romanticize the law — she interrogates it. And she invites her students to do the same, not just in classrooms but in the world beyond.
As a leader, she is both pragmatic and visionary — knowing that real change happens slowly, but it must start now. “Legal education must reflect the society it serves — with all its complexity, injustice, and potential for change.”
Conclusion
In 2025, when many are talking about transformation in education, Professor Ved Kumari is living it. Through her work, her words, and her way of being, she reminds us that justice isn’t just an idea — it’s a daily practice.
