On behalf of the citizens of Lucknow, it is my proud privilege to welcome all the Chief Justices, Judges, Hon'ble Ministers and other eminent guests who have come from all over the world to participate in this 8th International Conference of Chief Justices of the world and the Civil Societies Global Symposium "Awakening Planetary Consciousness" to this historic city of Lucknow, which is renowned for its composite culture and sophistication and love for various forms of arts.

I feel particularly honoured for this opportunity to be in the company of, and to welcome, such eminent legal luminaries which includes Chief Justices, Judges, Law ministers, Speakers of National Legislatures, Attorneys, representatives of eminent N.G.O's and Civil society organizations from more than 90 countries of the world, who are present here.

On this occasion I welcome Hon'ble Mr. Justice P.N. Bhagwati, Former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of Human Rights Committee, Geneva who is Chief Guest of this programme arranged in the honour of participants of the conference. He is busy person and I am glad that he has taken time out of his busy schedule to be here at this great event. Hon'ble Mr. Justice P.N. Bhagwati is well known in this country for his far reaching reforms in the dispensation of justice. He has introduced public interest litigation and Lok Adalats that is public courts for speedy justice.

It is also a matter of great pleasure that we have with us here today, a noted world statesman and a visionary leader, His Excellency Mr Cassam Uteem, former President of the Republic of Mauritius and a long time supporter of world unity and world peace. He is here with us to inaugurate the conference. Your Excellency, I welcome you to our beautiful city and I wish you all fruitful deliberations in the Conference and pleasant memorable stay in this great historic city. As I told you on the occasion of the last conference, I have been to your great country as a research scholar and also to participate in conferences and have loving memories of those visits to my heart. I also welcome our Guest of Honour H.E. Sir James R. Mancham, Founding President of Seychelles, who has taken out time out of his busy schedule to be here this evening. He is ardent supporter of world peace and is associated with many organizations around the world.

I once again welcome all Hon'ble Chief Justices, Judges and all delegates and participants present here.

Thank you.