Born in Bombay in modest surroundings on the 16th January 1920, Nani rose to be one of the greatest sons of India and a Jewel in her crown.



Nani Palkivala's public career, spanning over half a century, has been one of brilliant achievements. He is counted among the top ten lawyers in the world. His entry into the "Bombay Bar was like an unexpected meteor in an otherwise azure sky." His plain conscientious accurate methods, his unusual capacity to grasp the essence in no time, his incisive intellect and clear thinking, his communicating skills of very rare quality coupled with his ability to sell his ideas, made him very quickly the best in his profession.



Having been declared an authority on constitutional law, Palkivala soon became a star in the firmament of most sought after brains in this field. Many of the landmark cases, after India became a Republic with a written constitution were, to a large extent, decided based on Palkivala's arguments.



His unparalleled mastery of the successive Indian budgets, as seen from the surging crowds in the Brabourne Stadium year after year, is proof enough to say that Palkivala has been the best Finance Minister India never had. His masterly book on Income Tax is an all time classic.



His short, but sweet stint as our Ambassador in the USA opened a new chapter in Indo-US relations.



As a moral force and an example for the younger generation, Palkivala soon became the Champion of Civil Liberties in India. April 1979, the Lawrence University in Wisconsin conferred Hon. Doctorate on him recognizing his courage during the infamous Indian Emergency. Many honours followed culminating in the Padma Vibhushana. C.Rajagopalachari called him as the greatest gift of God to India and the Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt made him the Chief of his Vedapannadi.





Greatness is in the grandeur in doing things, and the simplicity with which it is done; work done for the good of society but done with utmost personal simplicity. This definition makes Palkivala one of the greatest of human kind.



Manipal Academy of Higher Education feels proud to honour him with the Doctor of Laws (LLD) Honoris Causa: for

"He traversed all, he comprehended everything. He who follows him cannot continue; he must begin anew, for his predecessor ended only where art ends."