“Never cut what you can untie.” ~ Joseph Joubert

It was a fantastic event!

Celebrating India Mediation Day 2023 in Hyderabad, with the participation of such esteemed speakers, distinguished guests, and delegates, is a testament to the growing importance and recognition of mediation in India and around the world. I’m sure that this event served as a platform for the exchange of ideas, best practices, and experiences in the field of mediation, and that it helped to further promote the use of mediation as a means of resolving disputes in India and beyond. It was an honour and fortune for me to be a part of this precious event.

Former Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana, SC Judge Justice Hima Kohli, IAMC trustee and former Judge of Supreme Court of India, Lavu Nageshwar Rao, former Judge Supreme Court of India Justice R.V. Raveendran, Mr. George Lim, Chairman – Singapore International Mediation Centre were the noted luminaries who graced the event.

“An ounce of mediation is worth a pound of arbitration and a ton of litigation!” — Joseph Grynbaum

It’s great to hear that IAMC (International Arbitration & Mediation Centre) has been successful in its mission to promote mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Telangana, Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao Garu, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Sri N.V. Ramana Garu on 18th December 2021 and since then the centre has gained prominence and recognition both nationally and internationally.

Having a state-of-the-art facility and eminent key people on the board certainly adds to the credibility of IAMC as a leading Centre for ADR and mediation. The fact that IAMC has achieved so much in a short time under the leadership of Mr. Tariq Khan is a demonstration of his vision and expertise in the field. With such strong foundations in place, I do not doubt that IAMC will continue to be a leading centre for mediation in India and around the world, contributing to the growth and
development of ADR practices globally.

Mediation has such deep roots in ancient India, dating back to the Vedic period. Unfortunately, the power of mediation is sometimes neglected and undervalued in Indian society, but it’s heartening to see that there is a growing awareness of the advantages of the mediation process and that efforts are being made to promote it through various platforms, such as IAMC.

Mediation is a flexible and easy method for resolving disputes that can be used in almost any kind of case, from small claims to complex high-value disputes. As a mediator with 12 years of global experience, I understand first-hand the benefits of mediation, such as providing a platform for empathy and relationship re-building. Communication is indeed the main tool and technique for mediation, and it’s through this process that parties are allowed to understand each other’s mindsets and objectives, leading to a more effective and satisfactory resolution of their conflicts. Notably, all the Justices were in unison about the power of mediation to deliver effective and faster justice to citizens, as well as to reduce the pendency of adjudicated matters. As the Judges have emphasized, proper training and education are critical in developing the necessary skills and techniques required to be an effective mediator. By providing aspiring mediators with the necessary training and skills, we can ensure that more disputes are resolved through mediation, leading to quicker and more satisfactory outcomes for all parties involved. It’s encouraging to see that efforts are being made by IAMC to meet this need.

It’s commendable and worth celebrating that IAMC and SIMC have made India Mediation Day 2023 an important and recognized event. Mr. Tariq Khan, Registrar IAMC, and Mr. Vikram Pooserla, Senior Advocate Telangana High Court, are to be applauded for their instrumental role in bringing together past, present, and aspiring mediation professionals of all generations for this event. Through panel discussions and networking opportunities with global professionals, this event provided wider learning opportunities for all attendees. This IAMC event will undoubtedly help to further promote the value and importance of mediation in India and around the world.

“Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.” — Max Lucado