ROYAL WELCOME: Queen Rania Abdulla of Jordan in an unusual gesture specially greets Justice Kurup and applauded him for delivering the landmark verdict of the Kerala High Court banning smoking in public places. Justice Kurup was a special invitee as eminent jurist and adviser to address the Global Convention on Tobacco Control held at Amman, Jordan from 5"1 to 7lh February 2001. Delegates hailed the judgment as a unique contribution by the Indian Judiciary to protect Human Rights to health and it was hoped that the Indian initiative would act as a catalyst for the rest of the world to promote anti-smoking legislation. The jurist who was the focus of attention at the Convention made an address on the powerpoint which concluded with the note: "the Kerala experience shows that Courts can play a part in triggering socially relevant action... but the larger battle against tobacco must continue".