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'Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography' was written by which eminent jurist?

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Answer: Option B — Fali S. Nariman

Detailed Solution

Nariman. "Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography" is the autobiography of Fali Sam Nariman, one of India's most distinguished constitutional lawyers. It was published in 2010.

About the book:

  • It describes his childhood in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma, his family's escape to India during World War II, his education in Shimla and Bombay, and his long legal career.
  • It discusses major constitutional cases he argued in the Supreme Court and his views on the judiciary, the Emergency and the rule of law.
  • It is written with humour and offers insights into the working of Indian courts.

About Fali S. Nariman (1929-2024):

  • He began practising law in the Bombay High Court in 1950 and moved to the Supreme Court in 1972.
  • He was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in 1972 but resigned in 1975 in protest against the declaration of the Emergency.
  • He was President of the Bar Association of India for many years.
  • He argued landmark cases, such as the Second Judges Case (1993), which established the collegium system of appointing judges, and the TMA Pai Foundation case on minority educational institutions.
  • He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha (1999-2005).
  • He received the Padma Bhushan (1991) and the Padma Vibhushan (2007).
  • His other books include "India's Legal System: Can It Be Saved?", "God Save the Hon'ble Supreme Court" (2018) and "You Must Know Your Constitution" (2023).

He died in February 2024. His son, Rohinton Fali Nariman, served as a judge of the Supreme Court of India (2014-2021).

Other eminent jurists:

  • Soli Sorabjee: former Attorney General of India; known for defending free speech.
  • Ram Jethmalani: famous criminal lawyer and former Union Law Minister.
  • Nani Palkhivala: famous for the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) and his annual budget speeches; book "We, the People".
  • R. Krishna Iyer: Supreme Court judge; autobiography "Wandering in Many Worlds".

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Soli Sorabjee was Attorney General and a champion of free speech.
  • ✗Ram Jethmalani was a famous criminal lawyer.
  • ✗Nani Palkhivala wrote "We, the People" and argued the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Quick tip

Remember: "Before Memory Fades" = Fali S. Nariman (2010; resigned as Additional Solicitor General in 1975 over the Emergency; Padma Vibhushan 2007); "We, the People" = Nani Palkhivala.

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Books & Authors — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Books & Authors, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers famous books and their authors, including ancient Indian texts, works of the freedom struggle, classic and modern literature, autobiographies of famous people, and recently published books by well-known personalities. Questions usually name a book and ask for its author, or the other way round. Ancient and historical books, such as Arthashastra (Kautilya), Indica (Megasthenes) and Gitanjali (Rabindranath Tagore), are tested most often. Autobiographies are another favourite, so learn titles such as 'My Experiments with Truth' (Mahatma Gandhi) and 'Wings of Fire' (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam). Practise the books and authors questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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