Bridging Worlds: The Inspiring Journey of Dr. Lakshmi Priya

“Life is a meandering river—Embrace it with all your passion and compassion.” This quote resonates with Dr. Lakshmi Priya, who is a technology legal analyst and legal academician, currently associated with Uttaranchal University with a total of 29 years of experience. This article tells about her journey, her challenges, and her achievements.

Introduction:

Dr. Lakshmi Priya Vinjamuri is an academician and techno-legal entrepreneur, who has been involved in legal teaching since 2010. Her primary focus is on technology law, specifically in the areas of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Energy, Environment, and Biotechnology Law. However, beyond her legal expertise, she considers herself a researcher at heart, she said “I am constantly seeking to bridge the intersection of technology, law, and societal impact.”

Her journey as a life scientist was restricted to the laboratory and the elitist artistrocratic societal bearings that added to her naievity and didn’t offer an opportunity to understand the ground realities of socio economic challenges in the real time world. The first significant reality check came when she chose to contribute to the revitalization of the National Tuberculosis Programme. This experiencewhich was more out of an inquisitiveness to know the real world was enhanced with the team of friends who were to be a part of the project on field, led her to a deeper understanding of the socio-legal dimensions of science.

This path transformed her into a socio-legal scientist, one deeply sensitive to the connections between scientific innovation, law, and social well-being. She recalls “What began as an intellectually stimulating yet light-hearted exploration, thanks to the mentorship of Professor B.V. Sharma (now Director of the Anthropological Survey of India), has evolved into a lifelong commitment to "connecting the dots" across multiple domains of knowledge. His continued inspiration drives me to explore how technology and law can be leveraged to address societal challenges in meaningful ways.”

Dr. Lakshmi Priya has many role models and her career has evolved through a series of influences and unexpected turns. From being a voracious reader and lover of books, she has transformed into a techno-legal analyst, academician, social activist, environmentalist, and connoisseur of Indian art and tradition. These diverse facets of her identity have shaped her.

Her mother has the greatest impact on her life. Dr. Lakshmi says “She taught me the importance of balancing responsibility with ambition and always reminded me that true success lies in maintaining that equilibrium.”

Challenges and Achievements:

Some of the biggest challenges she has faced have come from resistance—whether from family, society, or the circumstances surrounding her path. Pursuing a career that blends law, technology, and social impact has often been met with skepticism and doubts, particularly because it’s an unconventional journey. At times, balancing these ambitions with societal expectations or family concerns has been difficult for her. She added “I have no regrets. Each challenge has shaped me, pushing me to become more determined and focused on my goals. In the end, these obstacles have reinforced my belief in the importance of staying true to one’s vision, even when the path is not always clear.”

Her greatest accomplishment has been maintaining her balance, and staying grounded and focused despite the complexities of both her professional and personal life. She believes “The ability to stay sane while navigating the challenges of academia, entrepreneurship, and motherhood is in itself, a victory. Being a "super mom" while pursuing my passions and career has taught me resilience, time management, and the importance of nurturing both my aspirations and the future of those I care about most.”

She has received several awards and recognitions throughout her career. In 2022, she was nominated as the Vice President for Uttarakhand State by the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) and served as the Convenor for Policy & Advocacy for the India Women Network (IWN), Andhra Pradesh chapter, for the 2018-19 term.

She is the recipient of six national awards, including:

• The Indo-Global Excellence Award in Law (2017) from the Indo-Global Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Agriculture (IGCCIA)
• The Environment Protection & Development Award (2017) from the World Clean Environment Congress
• The World Achievers Award in Law and Social Justice (2017) from the World Achievers Foundation
• The InSc Research Excellence Award (2020) from the Institute of Scholars (In. SC), a unit of SDPL, accredited by UASL
• Dynamic Leader Award (2022) from the Avishkar Foundation, recognized by the Government of India
• The Pradhanmantri Jan Kalyankari Yojana Award (2020) from the Prachar Prasar Abhiyaan, Uttarakhand

In addition to these awards, she is an active member and contributor to numerous prestigious organizations, including:

• Indian Society of International Law (ISIL)
• Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)
• International Council for Alternate Dispute Resolution (ICADR)
• Indian Association for Women's Studies (IAWS)
• South Asian Society of Criminology and Victimology (SASCV)
• Cyber Society of India (CySI)
• Singapore Society of Microbiology and Biotechnology (Life Member)
• English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELTAI)
• Indian Science Congress Association (Life Member)

Personal Insights:

Balancing her career and personal life has always been a dynamic challenge, especially given the nature of her work in academia, research, and technology law. However, she has learned that maintaining this balance requires conscious effort, prioritization, and a deep commitment to her family.

Dr. Lakshmi believes that a fulfilling career should not come at the expense of one’s family life. Her family, specifically her mother and her three children have been her anchor, helping her stay centered and giving her the emotional strength to pursue her professional goals with passion and purpose. To maintain this balance, she prioritizes quality time with them, ensuring that her commitments at home are as important as those at work. Whether it’s taking time off to be with loved ones or simply ensuring that she is fully present during family moments, she added “I’ve learned that true success is not just about professional achievement but about building and nurturing relationships that provide long-term fulfillment.”

Impact and Vision:

Currently, she is focused on an exciting initiative that aims to "Connect the Dots" between modern technology, traditional knowledge, and environmental sustainability. One of her key projects revolves around E-waste management, where she is exploring innovative solutions using technology to address the growing environmental challenges posed by electronic waste. The project integrates cutting-edge technologies like IoT (Internet of Things) and AI to create smarter, more efficient systems for recycling and repurposing e-waste. This initiative seeks to minimize the ecological footprint of discarded electronics, which is becoming a pressing issue globally.

On the other end, she is also delving into the preservation and protection of traditional Indian knowledge through Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The aim is to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern-day applications by safeguarding traditional knowledge, practices, and biodiversity through appropriate legal mechanisms. By connecting technology with IPR, she hopes to not only preserve the richness of India’s cultural heritage but also ensure that it can be shared globally in a fair and ethical manner.

Through these projects, Dr.Lakshmi working to create a holistic approach that marries innovation with sustainability and cultural preservation, leveraging both technology and traditional knowledge to find solutions to modern challenges, while ensuring respect for heritage and the environment.

Her future goal is to establish an organization that bridges the gap between technology, law, and societal impact. She envisions creating an entity that not only addresses pressing challenges in areas like intellectual property rights, environmental sustainability, and biotechnology but also drives meaningful change through innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches.

The organization would focus on research, policy development, and consultancy, while also serving as a platform for education and mentorship, empowering the next generation of legal and scientific professionals. Her goal is to create an ecosystem where technology and traditional knowledge intersect, providing sustainable solutions that respect both innovation and cultural heritage.

By combining her passions for law, technology, and social responsibility, she aspires to create an organization that makes a tangible, positive impact on global challenges, whether it's through e-waste management, the protection of biodiversity, or advancing the responsible use of new technologies. Ultimately, Dr.Lakshmi hopes to leave a legacy that promotes ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and the fair application of intellectual property in a rapidly changing world.

Conclusion:

To young women, especially those entering fields like law, science, or any traditionally male-dominated profession, Dr. Lakshmi's advice would center around three core principles. The first and most important piece of advice she would offer is to believe in yourself. She added “In every stage of your career, there will be challenges—whether it's in asserting your voice in a meeting, pursuing opportunities, or navigating societal expectations. But remember, your skills, knowledge, and unique perspective have immense value. Trust in your expertise never downplay your contributions and always believe “your voice matters”. Don't wait for external validation; own your space and contribute with confidence.”

Dr. Lakshmi also said “The path to success is rarely linear, and setbacks are part of the journey. Whether it’s facing doubt, dealing with challenges at work, or balancing multiple roles, resilience is essential. My journey—shifting from a life sciences background to technology law and engaging with complex societal issues—has taught me that resilience isn’t about being unaffected by difficulties, but about learning how to persevere, adapt, and keep moving forward despite them. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Each step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals”.

Finally, she advises to do self-care, she believes “Don't forget to care for yourself. Self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary. Balance is the key to maintaining long-term sustainability in both your personal and professional life. Keep learning, stay curious, and above all, remain true to your vision.”

Lastly, she added “Every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow, and every small victory is a step toward creating a space where you can thrive, both personally and professionally. So, keep pushing boundaries and, most importantly, remember that your journey is uniquely yours—own it proudly.”