Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took the stage at the Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026 to redefine what it means to be extraordinary. He rejected the notion of innate brilliance, arguing instead that the defining trait is a relentless willingness to submerge the self for the benefit of others. "To use their lives to be good for others," he said, noting that this is a continuous process rather than a static trait.
Chandrachud drew a sharp parallel between the award selection process and the functioning of the Indian judiciary. He described the jury’s deliberations as a "power for a reason dialogue," a practice he claims is in short supply today. In an era where social media often reduces complex issues to binary soundbites, he emphasized the value of listening, reasoning, and sharing personal narratives to reach a consensus.
The former CJI revealed that the jury frequently found it impossible to single out just one winner in several categories due to the depth of the candidates' contributions. Times Now allowed multiple awards in specific fields to honor this richness. Chandrachud used this to illustrate a broader point: when diverse minds engage in patient, reasoned debate, the outcome is better than any single perspective could achieve.
This year's ceremony celebrated unsung heroes who have navigated significant hardships to bring about tangible social change. The event served not just as an awards night but as a platform to highlight the mentorship and evolution of these individuals. Chandrachud concluded by urging the nation to adopt this spirit of collaborative reasoning in public discourse.