Sat Sep 27 16:06:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, along with a headline suitable for “The Hindu” newspaper:

**Headline: Mediation Must Be Embraced as a Community Practice, Says CJI Gavai at National Conference**

**Bhubaneswar, September 27, 2025:** Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai underscored the vital role of mediation in India’s justice system, emphasizing its roots in community-based conflict resolution, during the inaugural session of the second National Mediation Conference in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

Justice Gavai stated that mediation must be viewed as more than just a legal tool; it should be embraced as a long-standing practice, cultivated through the collective effort of judges, lawyers, mediators, community leaders, and citizens. He stressed that only through sustained dialogue and understanding can mediation become a trusted and integral part of the Indian justice ecosystem, reaching beyond courtrooms to impact everyday lives.

The CJI highlighted the importance of listening, empathizing, and genuine efforts to resolve disagreements, asserting that conflict, approached constructively, can become an opportunity for growth and understanding. He noted that mediation and open communication offer a means to transform discord into dialogue, tension into collaboration, and restore harmony between parties.

Justice Gavai further noted the Mediation Act, 2023, which formally recognized and institutionalized the practice, and acknowledged that mediation arose as a response to the growing backlog of cases, lengthy delays, and the often adversarial nature of traditional court proceedings. He emphasized that unlike litigation, which often focuses on winning or losing, mediation emphasizes dialogue, understanding, and collaborative solutions. This allows parties to retain control over both the process and the outcome, providing a faster, more flexible, and confidential means to resolve disputes.

The inaugural session was attended by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Supreme Court judges, and Chief Justices of various High Courts.

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