Outgoing President Deepak Shah’s Speech
Dear Members,
President elect Naushad Panjwani, Vice President elect Nitin Shingala, Raman Jokhakar, Chetan Shah, Mukesh Trivedi, distinguished past presidents of the Society, President of Chamber of tax Consultants Yatin Desai, Vice President Paras Savla, other office bearers, my Managing Committee colleagues, Core Group members, other Seniors in this profession and friends.
A very good evening to all of you. It’s a honour and privilege to address this distinguished gathering at the AGM, and I am extremely thankful to one and all for being here on such a special occasion. A mixed feeling as I stand before you as the President of BCAS for the last time. I find it hard to believe how quickly this year has gone by.
On this very date last year, I stood before you giving my acceptance speech, feeling excited and nervous, thinking whether I would leave upto the reputation created by other past presidents who have served this society selflessly.
Let me admit that following a glorious tradition of excellence, continuing since more than six decades is not an easy task. It’s always a challenge for any incoming President to maintain the high standards and excellent quality set by predecessors, of the Society which is always ahead of its time. Throughout the year one thing that kept passing through my mind was that I will have to take the initiative, be innovative and will have to go the extra mile.
In a few hours from now, I will lay down the responsibilities of this office. My most enjoyable journey of the recent past from an Office Bearer to President of this august body ‘BCAS’ is ending today. When time flows by, it becomes history. But sometimes history is immortalised in timeless moments and lives on forever. It becomes ageless. And today is that day in history for me.
It is normally said that : Every path has its puddles. But I feel delighted to say, that with the Grace of God, for me it was smooth, beautiful, and I enjoyed each and every moment of my journey thoroughly walking down this path with each one of you.
For me it has been a satisfying year and I am obliged that I was given this opportunity to do my bit for the Society. I have tried to fulfill the trust reposed in me, and do my best for the Society by putting my heart, mind and soul even into the smallest act, and have taken utmost care to maintain and raise the high standards of this august body. It was gratifying to witness the hard work, commitment and conviction of my colleagues unfold before me.
In my endeavour to meet expectations, whatever I could do was by banking upon the goodwill this Society has garnered over the years. I have witnessed this in many interactions with different people from all walks of life. And if I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.
A Chinese proverb states :
Behind an able man there are always other able men.
Ladies sitting here please excuse me for using this statement. At this juncture I am not quoting the age old saying that “Behind every successful man there is a woman” mainly for two counts : Firstly, for me
It’s not the things we get, but the hearts we touch that will determine our success in life.
And the second reason is : That yet the views of my mother–in-law are to be received.
So for now I would talk about those able men only : And I can see many of them in front of me who have inspired me and Motivated me from time to time. Believe me, Motivation makes it possible to accomplish what you should accomplish.
I owe my deepest thanks to the past presidents who gave me this extraordinary opportunity to serve this wonderful organisation. I salute them for the dedication and competence they have brought to the service of BCAS. I for one believe that the respect, success and growth that this Society has achieved over the years has been possible only because of the past President’s connect. Their guidance leads to Goodwill, and their directions shows you the path of Truth. Year after year they are setting a perfect example while creating a pathway for others to follow. And for these reasons we thought that this year we should raise a toast of gratitude for their priceless patronage down the years.
So in this year we made a humble beginning by felicitating 12 of our Senior Past Presidents who are above 75 years of age.
And to me working with them and under their guidance for more than a decade now, has given me a feeling like Small boy becoming a Big man, through the influence of big men who care about small boys.
Come July and all Presidents are posed with common questions like : How was your term ? What was your experience ? Feeling Relieved ? How do you feel about leaving ?
For any President at BCAS : There are two constants: “The time we come and the time we go – Everything in between is in one’s own hands”
But let me admit that leaving this most coveted post is ” sweet sorrow”.
As regards my term : The last year has been nothing short of living a dream, it has been a memorable year with humble experience. There have been good days and tough days, it’s been a roller coaster ride with all the ingredients:
• Fast paced, Action packed,
• Drama, Emotions,
• Competition, Gossips
• Fun , Food
• and most importantly Friends, friends & friends and lasting Friendships
• Sorry, How can I forget or ignore the amount of grey hair, the added kilos (thanks to RRC’s), hyper moments, but BCAS has taught me TO BE POSITIVE, so to gain something you have to lose something.
If I have to share my thoughts, my experience and my sentiments with you
It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as BCAS president. I have been blessed to represent this society we all love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means a lot to me.
It has immensely contributed in my self development. It has been a story of how faith, teamwork, and commitment can help and make a difference. It’s been an absolute pleasure to interact with each and every one associated with BCAS in one or the other way.
I would say that this most prestigious post, or I would say from the time I joined the Core group one most important thing which I have learnt is that: Any great relationship is based on two important things :
First to find out the similarities… Second to respect the differences.
The last one year’s worth in my life is incomparable. It has enhanced my perception and has given me :
Courage : To stand for what you believe in, regardless of the odds against you, and pressure that tears at your resistance.
Confidence : To keep continuing with it.
Determination : Of stopping at nothing, and doing what’s in your heart you know is right.
I have also learnt virtues like :
Selflessness : Giving more than you have, and expecting nothing, but nothing in return.
Pride of Service : Doing more than is expected, No matter the time, effort it takes, to the best of my ability.
To me BCAS is like a family away from home. And the memories of all the wonderful experiences, and many anxious moments converted to blissful experiences will be cherished for years to come.
And this precious year of mine, I would like to dedicate to my parents who provided me with the best in life, and yet taught me the importance of compassion, sharing and humility, and above all self belief. And these core virtues have made this day possible for me.
Words cannot convey my gratitude to my dear wife Nita, and a wonderful family back home that have stood by my side and encouraged me throughout this journey, making several sacrifices in order to ensure that I continue on my chosen path with tranquility.
As far as activities are concerned I would say that a lot is done and lot is to be done as every president feels when laying down the office and, I am no exception.
Since we began our journey, we have created, improved and reinvented over many programmes, and taken new initiatives too. All regular activities of the Society continued to receive full attention during the year. There were many things which were planned but could not be put into action or implemented for some or the other reason. A few projects that comes to my mind are Online Journal BCAJ, Revamping BCAS website, Research Publications, Increasing infrastructural facilities for the benefit of members, setting up point of contacts for outstation members. But I have no regrets, as I am confident that the new team will complete the unfinished agenda in the ensuing year.
Overall, it has been another busy year for BCAS, and I would like to acknowledge and thank my colleagues Naushad, Nitin, Raman, and Chetan for their zealous commitment shown towards the working of the Society, and their contribution and cooperation throughout the year, and being hugely supportive in all my endeavours.
Once again a Big Thanks to Past Presidents for always being there when I needed, and letting me go free when I needed freedom.
The members of the Managing Committee have been extremely generous in support and advice provided to me personally in helping me to discharge my own responsibilities.
My sincere gratitude and appreciation to core group members especially the Convenors for the unstinted support and real hard work put in by them throughout the year, and taking the real burden of all the activities.
Truly, BCAS is proud to have such active members. I once again appreciate each and every single effort and sacrifices made with all my heart.
I thank the sister organisations (AIFTP, CTC, STPAM, WIRC) and other co-organisers for making all efforts to hold more and more joint programmes, and complementing one another in imparting education.
I cannot adequately express my appreciation of the untiring and devoted hard work put in by the staff led by Mr. Cassem Rajabali, who have always proved equal to the demands placed on them. My appreciation to all employees for their enormous personal efforts as well as their collective contribution to the Society’s performance over the years and particularly in 2012-2013. I must admit that all of you have exhibited great loyalty and diligence towards your respective obligations.
I am pleased to express my very sincere gratitude to all those friends and well-wishers who extended support to me in all my endeavours and were instrumental in seeing that what I wished is done, and all who have extended their support in my mission.
Last but not the least, I was indeed fortunate to receive continuous and consistent support and cooperation from our members. All regular activities of the Society continued to receive full attention during the year. The attendance at our programmes reaffirms our faith in this continued journey of our mission. It has been their support/guidance that has helped us evolve to serve you better.
Thanks to all Hon’ble guests for their valued and encouraging presence at this AGM.
My final task is a pleasant one indeed ie., handing over the mantle to Mr Naushad Panjwani. I have enjoyed working with him and have witnessed at first hand the many admirable qualities that will stand him in good stead over the coming year. He has lot many plans for the Society, and with able Office Bearers, they will take Society to greater heights. I wish him and his team all the very best.
I would end with an assurance that I am and will always be available to BCAS to repay my debts of gratitude I owe to the Society. And I will keep reminding myself my very own punchline : ME & MY BCAS.
I say a good-bye with a whole lot of positive thoughts of my tenure and in the end I would say :
“To meet and to know is the beauty of life,
To meet and to depart is the way of life”
Incoming President Naushad Panjwani’s speech
President Deepak Shah, my colleagues Nitin, Raman, Chetan, Mukesh, respected Past Presidents,
seniors and friends. I cannot thank you enough for the high and unmerited honour that you have conferred on me this day. I can’t think of many occasions when two men are sitting next to each other having such contrasting emotions as now; one a relieved man and the other a nervous wreck. A few days ago I witnessed 12 of our past presidents being felicitated for the contribution that they have made to the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society. And I was daunted. Such illustrious, ingenious and industrious people have been presidents of BCAS! This year, I have the pleasure of working alongside 14 dedicated, selfless and accomplished chairmen of the 9 committees, who have been presidents of BCAS not very long ago. And again I am daunted. I am about to step into the very large and warm shoes that Deepak is vacating. And I’m very daunted! I can only take a leaf out of what William Faulkner has said “Do not be daunted by the accomplishments of your predecessors. Don’t even try to equal or better your predecessors, focus on being better than yourself”. Now that looks like an achievable benchmark. I’m indeed honoured and proud to be elected the 64th president of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society and probably the first president from the industry.
Last year has been an amazing year at BCAS for me. Deepak has so patiently mentored me. I have observed him diligently discharge his responsibilities as the President. I could see him so thoroughly enjoy himself and that was infectious. Deepak is a man of few words but full of action. He has been courageous, patient, polite and a thorough consensus builder. Thank you Deepak for everything. I shall try to remember all that I’ve learnt from you.
I know I should keep this short and come straight to the point and discuss the plan for the year but I request you to bear with me so that I can thank my gurus. Like they say, “Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary”, I promise I will not take two hours. I want to thank my late grandmother from whom I learnt the importance of relationships. I miss her a lot on all my joyous occasions and today is one such day. Dilip Muzumdar because of whom I am a CA. N C Mehta who instilled values in my professional conduct. Anant Gawande from whom I learnt to balance work and family life. Komal Bir Singh who introduced philanthropy to me. Ninad Karpe who introduced me into BCAS.
Pranay Vakil who drew me into the exciting world of real estate. And last but not the least, the man who came into my life around the time I lost my father and since then has been more to me than a father, Mr. Narayan Varma, I love you.
In 10 days from now Afsheen and I shall celebrate the silver jubilee of our marriage. And in the interest of domestic peace I have to mention her. I would like to take this moment to say that Afsheen I have a lot to thank you and Lahra for all that I have achieved.
In the last few years I have been on committees of various trade bodies and associations. And I’m proud to say that BCAS is the most collaborative forum that I have come across. The BCAS culture fosters innovation and offers a platform for all to learn, grow and lead. BCAS is blessed to have such a large army of volunteers constituting the core group; 199 this year. The convenors, who are the future of the Society, give their all to ensure that the flag of BCAS is flying high. The past presidents of the Society are its back bone. I have no hesitation in saying that without their participation, the Society’s programs would not be of this magnitude and character.
I have gained a lot from BCAS. Be it knowledge, leadership skills, friends and lots of pleasant memories. I have never ever been at a loss as all I had to do was make a call to the countless experts within the core group. I continue to make those calls to this day. Actually it was very convenient to have Gautam Nayak as my neighbour in the earlier years of my practice.
There are so many moments, the memory of which brings a smile to my face. In particular I cherish my interactions from my early years of practice with Gautam, Nikhil, Ninad, Hitesh and Himanshu. Shariq’s firm has always had a very high standard for hiring people. I know this because my only application for a job ever was rejected by his firm. Since then he hasn’t missed an opportunity to remind me of what a wise decision he made. All of them were such fun people to be with. Pranaybhai has always been my ‘captain’ and I know I can call upon him for anything anytime.
Not being in practice and having no illusions of possessing knowledge of technical subjects myself, I am not suited to make suggestions on these matters. I am confident that the other 198 core group members will continue to light this torch as in the past. But having reasonable experience and expertise in marketing, I do see some head room for BCAS to spread further. We must and we certainly will continue to address the needs of practicing chartered accountants, who form the majority of our membership. But I also see opportunity and a need for the Society to reach out to members in Industry, members from outstation and the youth.
As has been the practice for some time now, each of the 9 newly constituted committees have met and chalked out their annual plans. I am happy to report that each of these committees have paid heed to my requests and have either included programmes where there were none or scaled up their existing programmes to benefit the new target segment of our membership.
Deepak had formulated a very well thought out annual plan last year. I see no reason to tamper with that and the office bearers would like to take this plan forward in the current year. We would just like to scale it up. You have a copy of the same in your hands. Let me spell out a few specific initiatives:
• Last year we experimented with a program for the Real Estate Industry, which met with great success. This year we will have four industry specific programs. Though it’s very tempting to charter into familiar territory, I will exclude Real Estate. Senior member of the Managing Committee, Himanshu Vasa has taken upon him to help BCAS connect with CAs from the industry. I have very high hopes from him.
• BCAS was very visible at one point of time with our articles featuring in frontline newspapers and magazines. No more. We cannot be shy if we want to reach out to a large audience. We cannot become thought leaders if we are not known. Our well researched and incisive representations need to find a larger audience and that’s the only way the only way that the law makers will listen to us. I am going to attempt making BCAS more visible and our voice a few decibels louder. I am happy that Shariq Contractor and Rajesh Kapadia have consented to guide me and Niña, Sangeeta, Toral, Sonalee and Pinky have agreed to work with me on this.
• Study circles have been the life line of the Society in the past. Unfortunately, membership, attendance and participation are all dwindling. While the various committees have recognised this and are working to revive them, I have requested Shardul Shah to help the office bearers with conceptualising ways and means to turn the tide.
• Mumbai has now spread far and wide and along with it, our membership. It is our responsibility to make it convenient for members from suburbs to enjoy the fruits of our efforts too. The office bearers will endeavour to take as many programs out of South Mumbai as possible.
• Today technology is a way of life. Our membership is becoming tech savvy. The need to commute is on the decline and the ease of communication is unbelievable. In such an environment, technology cannot remain the onus of just one committee. All committees will have to imbibe technology and technology-based programmes in their scheme of things. It is with this intent that I have dropped InfoTech from the scope of 4i committee. The 4i committee should focus on innovation, identify new areas of practice, incubate ideas and at an appropriate time hand them over to the concerned committee as programmes.
• Today 35 % of India’s population is between the ages of 25 and 35. I have no statistics of how many chartered accountants are in this age group but just 15 % of our members are under the age of 35. What is the reason for this? What do we need to do to bring many more into our family? One thing I’m sure of, if we do not have the exuberance of the youth with us, we will soon become irrelevant. With this concern in mind, I have tasked 3 very young and dynamic members, Mandar Telang, Jinal Shah and Mahesh Nayak to reach out to the youth and help the Society connect with them. At one point of time the Society had very youthful members.
• Shri Arvind Dalal and Late Shri Ajay Thakkar were only 35 when they became presidents of the Society.
• Shri Haren Jokhakar and Late Shri Shailesh Kapadia only 32.
• And Late Shri Daulat Vora was only 31.
I dream of BCAS having an even younger president one day.
• BCAS and the BCA foundation have been carrying out activities of CSR nature. But these are far and few and also, not well publicised. I have requested Mayur Nayak to prepare a CSR plan for the Society which will help us conducting them in a more planned manner and on a larger scale. I am sure that the recent calamities that have caused loss of life and livelihood in Uttarakhand are playing heavily on your minds. We, the office bearers and the Trustees of the Foundation are finalising a plan to contribute to the rehabilitation of those affected and urge each and every one of you to contribute generously towards this. The appeal letter has been emailed and a copy of the same is on the desk outside.
The journey of BCAS is like a relay race. The baton is passed from one president to another, year after year. I make one solemn promise to all, I will run fast, I won’t drop the baton and when the time comes, I will pass it on to my successor such that, I hope, you will be proud of me.
65th Foundation Day : Nationhood – the next step, 6th July 2013, Y. B. Chavan Pratishthan, Nariman Point.
The Founding day celebrations was started by Chief Guest Mr. Nasser Munjee, by releasing of ‘Laws & Business – A Compendium’ by CA Anup Shah, published under the auspices of Shailesh Kapadia Memorial Publication Fund. Thereafter Mr. Munjee further took the stage with his presentation, and he went on to speak about the values that he cherished from great thinkers, philosophers, philanthropists and leaders. Through his lecture he delivered thoughts that provoked minds of all present. One of the hindrances to Nationhood deliberated by Mr. Munjee included living with the past; a refusal to change institutions that were built to serve a different objective and resistance to replace them with those of contemporary relevance. The session ended with a rather detailed discussion through questions from the full house of more than 180 people.
