PETWAR (HANSI), Jan. 11 -- The dusty lanes of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's native village of Petwar - dotted with cattle-dung cakes and framed by expansive, lush fields - came alive on Saturday morning as residents stepped out in pride to accord a rousing reception to their "Petwar ratna" (jewel of Petwar).

The civic reception was held at the playground of the Government Senior Secondary School, where Justice Kant spent his formative years and completed matriculation. The event was attended by a galaxy of the Punjab and Haryana high court judges and political leaders as the visit marked Justice Kant's first return to his village since assuming office as the CJI in November 2025.

The emotion-filled programme symbolised a full-circ...