“A great man is made up of qualities that meet or make great occasions”— James Russel Lowell.
He was indeed a man of great qualities who created a niche of his own and made a lasting impact on many who came across him. He was my uncle, my father’s elder brother, Late Justice Prabha Shankar Mishra, the former Chief justice of Hyderabad and Kolkatta High Courts.
Though he was a public figure and an inspiration for many, for me he was my very own ‘bade Babuji’ (as I used to call him). Being born and brought up in a small town (Chhapra, Bihar), it was not that easy for him to find the ways he had chosen for himself because of his keen interest in literature and poetry, despite being a Master of Science and his LLB degree. He used to write for various magazines and newspapers of the then times and even recited his poems on all-India radio.
He was the first editor-in-chief of the famous Hindi weekly ‘Pratyaksh’, who himself edited and published Phanishwar Nath Renu’s famous short story ‘Mare Gaye Gulfam’ which was later picturized as ‘Teesri Kaasam’. But his father, a famous advocate and a freedom fighter himself, wanted him to earn his name as a successful and respectable person but not as a struggling writer. So, he was abandoned from home and all the facilities of that well-to-do family were taken away from him and he was being told to earn his bread of his own.
That incident made the most significant impact of hurt on the emotional poet and he promised his father not to show his face until he would become a successful advocate. Within 5 years, he became able to create that impact of being the most respectable, noted, famous and successful advocate at Patna high court. During his law practice, he was recognized as a social thinker and implemented his prowess to empower the underprivileged.
He got the most fame and recognition in 1973 when he fought the much-talked-about criminal court case of that time against IAS Naagmani for killing his wife. The Naagmani case was one of the most famous court cases in the legal history of India. It was the milestone court case of his carrier which proved his mettle as the most compatible, honourable and knowledgeable advocate in the law fraternity.
Later in 1980, he took the oath as a high-court judge at Patna High Court and made the most impact as justice par excellence. Famous for his decision-making powers and instant justice, he, many a time, implemented his judicial right by arranging courtrooms even on the streets to reinforce the law to help the needy and underprivileged. I still remember an incident when he managed the chaotic traffic jam at Patna’s famous Bailey road with the help of his guards and said to people there that it was his responsibility to be a saviour of India’s law and security.
Once, he turned a letter into a legal petition in which a girl had pleaded to be rescued from an abusive marriage. He took legal action against her husband without calling the girl to court. He was the chief justice of the Hyderabad high court then. How he found ways to grant justice to that needy girl will always be remembered by the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Later, he was posted as the chief justice of Kolkatta high court in 1997, from where he resigned from the post of Honorable Chief Justice in 1998 because he did not want to lose his impact on people by being recognized as a workaholic. He wanted to die while working hard and making a change, so he again started practising law in the Supreme Court, where he continued showing his benevolence by providing free legal aid to the needy and deprived.
He breathed his last on the first of July 2012 at his Hyderabad residence in Jubilee Hills and left behind him his impact on us as a family to stand firm despite all the adversities of life. Not only the Mishra family but also those innumerable people still get inspired by him to work hard and leave an impact on others with their good deeds and sense of justice.
— Sangeeta Mishra
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Indeed,Justice shri P.S Mishra was a great lawyer and Judge.I know many things about him personally,as my family had old connection with him.Justice P.S Mishra started as a junior counsel 2 my grandfather(Justice S.K. Jha -ex CJ,Patna and MP high courts) in his early days if practice.After that ,my uncle started his career as a junior of shri p.s. mishra.
I’m so glad you’ve come across to my post Aditya. It’s my pleasure to know about your associations with the great soul and other relevant information about him. And yes, I know about your grandfather Justice Sushil Kumar Jha, 1989. I’m I right? Thank you so much for your valuable comment. 🙂
Proud to say he is my grand pa
#proud@raghopur@chhapra
Really! Glad to meet you! Well, being a member of his family all I know that he had left behind 4 grand daughters only. Other than them he had 2 great nieces (my daughters) and 3 great nephews ( my nephews). Only this much kids are there in the family. I’m surprised how come I’m not aware if you! 🙁
He had brother and cousins like dayashankar mishra and in Lt Mr vagish Narayana mishra family
Lt yogeshwar dutta mishra, Shankar San dutta mishra, Lt sureshwar dutta mishra, Lt karuneshwar dutta mishra.
If they are my grand pa den y can’t I call him my grand pa
Correction…. Then you should call him Granduncle, not grandpa. Well I’m glad that you are well-mannered to out the preface Lt. before the names of all the departed souls. But why only one name(
Hmm I admit . It was my mistake bt my grand pa Shri Shankar dutta mishra is still here with me in kolkata
Still I would say that you are a ruthless, manner-less, arrogant kid who doesn’t even know to apologize after such disrespect towards heavenly souls. At least I was expecting a correction and a proper SORRY for disrespecting my father on my blog.
Moreover, if you are so interested in the family tree, let me tell you that my grand father Late Pdt. Vasudev Narayan Mishra had only one brother Lt. Pdt. Samdev Narayan Mishra and your Great Grand father was his cousin, so technically Lt. Justice P.S.Mishra was the 3rd cousin of your grandpa. I have checked and rechecked the facts from the elders of the family.
So, from now on wards I would expect you to learn from the heavenly soul as to respect elders rather than taking credits for their name and fame. Learn how to comment on social forum. Best of luck. 🙂
This is the best tribute to Uncle. It was really an inspiring story that depicts the characteistic of a person.
His dedication for his duty and true judgement in the society inspires me a lot. It was good and healthy reading mam.
Super post on TSS.
Loved the reading and my salute to the hero of justice.
Thank you so much Avinash. Indeed he was the most inspiring person I’d come across. I’m blessed to being born in his family. And this one’s a quite heart-felt tribute to him.
Thanks a lot for appreciating. 🙂
This is a wonderful tribute to a noble soul. Beautifully written 🙂
Thank you so much Purba. Glad that you liked this tribute. Means a lot dear. 🙂 <3
Very aptly put. The real hero and their efforts to be asserted.
Thank you so much Chaitali. Glad that you liked this tribute. Means a lot. 🙂
This is an inspirational post Sangeeta ji, to know about Lt. Justice Prabha Shankar Mishra is a great thing. A person who lived for the sake of society will be remembered always, death won’t be any shade on them. Thank you for sharing about him and the impact made by him. 🙂
As always I was awaiting your comment in this special tribute post of mine. Your views on my post surely matters me the most. Thanks Prasanna for reading all the posts so carefully without missing any minute details. Means much. 🙂
A wonderful tribute to not only an uncle but a noble soul as we can see from this post!
Thank you so much. Glad that you liked this tribute. Means a lot. 🙂