Book Review English

BOOK REVIEW
ROSES IN DECEMBER
Abstract
There is one autobiography that practically all Indian lawyers, teachers,

and graduating law students recommend: M. Rosas en Diciembre de C.
Chagla As a judge in Independent India, Justice Chagla is among the
most well-known. His tenure as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court
was the longest of any Indian. One of the rare Indians who has worked
in each of the three branches of the government is him. He had eye
surgery as he was getting older, and then he penned his memoirs. Iqbal
Chagla, who assisted him by typing out his father's dictation on a
typewriter, was there to help.
One of the few judicial autobiographies published in India, Chagla's
Roses in December, is a classic that both eminent legal figures and law
students have praised for its ageless appeal. Chagla examines several
phases of his life in depth over the course of the book's 17
comprehensive chapters. In the opening lines of his autobiography,
Chagla famously writes, "God gave us the memory that we would have
roses in December." These words are not only poetic, but they also have
a significant meaning.
Analysis
Reading Roses in December is like reading about the author's time in
history. The first chapter of Chagla's autobiography focuses on his early
years in Bombay before moving on to his time at Oxford, his years as a
lawyer, his appointment to the bench, and his ascension to Chief Justice
of the Bombay High Court. He also goes into great length about his
experience at the International Court of Justice, his missions as an
ambassador, his tenure as a minister in the Union, and his practice at the
Supreme Court in his later years after retirement.
. Roses in December, in contrast to most autobiographies, analyses the
different other actors who were significant in the author's life rather than
focusing simply on the author. Chagla, who is known for his diligence
and attention to detail, chronicles both his own life and the lives of those
around him, recording even the smallest details. When he talks about his
longtime hero and mentor Jinnah, his batchmates, as well as his pals at
the bar, this is made quite evident. He can recall individual events, the
main players involved, the results, and the reactions these results
elicited. It is clear throughout the text that Chagla had an eye for detail.
The honesty with which Chagla writes is one of his most distinctive
traits. He expresses himself openly in his writing, frequently reiterating
the unfavorable views of others. He makes every effort to set the scene
and avoid passing judgment on those who have passed away and cannot
speak for themselves. He also does his utmost to avoid putting events in
context. He is equally open about his flaws and life failures.
Chagla additionally disseminates his secularism ideology via his book.
Chagla, a fervent secularist, supports peaceful coexistence among
different religions. He believed that India as a nation had a secular fabric
since time immemorial and that those who divided the country along
communal lines had done grave damage to their birthland. His
secularism was not anchored in politics, but rather in his strong
patriotism. His in-depth essays in the autobiography demonstrate his
understanding of numerous faiths and how they have changed over time.
. The bond Chagla had with Jinnah, his mentor and childhood hero,
struck me as particularly intriguing. Chagla initially met Jinnah when he
was a young man, and he kept in contact with him ever since, visiting
both India and the UK. Chagla entered Jinnah's chamber after entering
the bar. Chagla recalls this with appreciation, noting that it allowed him
to start his profession from scratch despite the fact that Jinnah was a
callous boss who didn't aid him in any way. Chagla spoke of Jinnah with
a great deal of respect even after he and Chagla parted ways because of
Jinnah's anti-communist stance on the division of India.
In his stories about his time in practice, Chagla goes into considerable
detail. He recalls people who battled beside him while also describing
his own challenges. Most importantly, he never forgets to show gratitude
to those who supported him during his difficult period since, without
them, Chagla would have given up practicing law and taking a job. It is
a repeating theme in his life that his humility surpasses his
magnificence.
. He talks about his temporary appointment to the bench and his fear of
becoming a king (the thought of accepting any award from the Crown
was anathema to the nationalist that Chagla was). He recounts his
illustrious tenure as a puisne judge and afterward as Chief Justice of the
Bombay High Court. Through his description, one can discover more
about the traditions and customs that the Court at the time upheld. It was
amazing to me how the English and Indian judges on the bench felt a
sense of kinship and respect for one another. He has a wealth of
fascinating anecdotes from his time as an ambassador and union
minister, and he offers a distinctive viewpoint on many well-known
historical events. He held the position of ambassador to the United
Kingdom and the United States. In addition, he held the positions of
Minister of Education and Minister of External Affairs. He was also a
Maharashtrian elected member of the Rajya Sabha. He was well-liked in
many political circles and had friends on both sides of the political
spectrum.
. The smatterings of knowledge Chagla has inserted throughout the
novel are, if there is one aspect of it that I like best. Chagla keeps his
talk about life to a minimum, unlike other old souls. Instead, he conducts
a self-critical analysis and communicates what he discovers. It's like
listening to a friend having a discussion in the street when you read his
thoughts.
Conclusion
.
Roses in December is more than just your standard autobiography; it's a

timeless portrait of what a life well-lived may be. Neither did Chagla
inherit wealth nor was he born into a royal family. Many young readers
might identify with the fact that his life was full of hardship. His
appreciation for the chance, dedication to working hard, and devotion to
morals are all clear throughout and aid in understanding how he
approaches the different events in his life.
This is not a one-time read by any means. This is a novel that has to be
read again. For someone who understands and studies the past, this is
one of the finest chronicles of Indian history, written by one of the most
extraordinary and significant Indians of all time. To a young student, this
may look like the life of a Chief Justice.

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BOOK REVIEW

There is one autobiography that practically all Indian lawyers, teachers,

Roses in December is more than just your standard autobiography; it's a

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