Mandatory to appear in first date?

If neither you nor your lawyer appears on first date, judge may or may not impose penalty on you.

If you are in another state, don't worry even if judge impose penalty it will be less than your travelling cost so don't worry!! For futher proceedings appoint a lawyer no need to appear on every hearing.

Yes you need to appear before the court of law as per summon given.

You can make request to court for inconvience of appearing on the same date as summon given to you.

Will u appreciate this answer by giving like on my lci profile?

During first appearance you have to go for counselling only so don't panic. 

Dear Advocate Bharat,

do not misunderstand me. There are many lawyers and others equally great who post or answer without expecting anything in return. Of course there are many who request for likes. Likes or otherwise, if your answers are good and impartial everyone will like it and remember  the author too. I don't think likes are anyway going to contribute to your business. I request you to write good answers and not ask for likes by highlighting. This really undermines the status of the forum along with the like seekers status. Let us not try to get back something even in charity.