Speech of Honble Shri MALLIKARJUN KHARGE, Union Minister for Labour

and Employment, Government of India at the Convocation ceremony of the NIRC

of ICAI

President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, CA Uttam Prakash Agarwal,
Central Council Member and Convocation Convenor CA.V.Murali, Chairman Southern
India Regional Council CA Devaraja Reddy, Council Members, Members of this great
profession, Members of the Press, Media, Invitees, Guests and dear bright, young
Chartered Accountants,

At the outset, let me thank the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and CA.V.
Murali for inviting me here to participate in this memorable occasion and to distribute the
Convocation credentials to merit holders.

It gives me immense pleasure to be present here on this convocation day of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants of India, a premier professional body.

Your profession is prestigious, with ample scope for growth. You are part of the educated
class that society looks up to, for guidance and awareness. On this convocation day, I
wish all the young Chartered Accountants the very best in life and a wonderful future
with achievements.

The growth of a country lies in the hands of all its young citizens. Chartered Accountants
play a vital role in society and are opinion makers and opinion leaders. Be Proud to be a
Chartered Accountants, BE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN.

Your education, training and core competence must be put to best use. You owe a duty to
the country. Each of you must resolve to do something tangible for the development of
our great nation.

The emerging global scenario and the internet have shrunk the world to a global village.
Therein lies the opportunity for growth. You must offer value added services and re-
engineer yourself to suit the requirements of your organization. We are living in an era of
globalization and liberalization. We are living in an era of globalization and
liberalization. There are no geographical borders for trade and commerce. The
interdependence and linkages have become closer and dense. This places a large
responsibility upon you as you transact and audit business.

As a Chartered Accountant, you have to play a vital role in discharging your functions in
an objective, fair and unbiased manner, keeping in mind professional ethics, values and
integrity. You have a responsibility to create awareness amongst the investors by proper
disclosures, avoiding any conflict of interest whatsoever. As responsible professionals,
you have to live up-to the expectations of society. I will today urge you to speak your
mind boldly and fairly. On you depends the future of your organizations and fair business
practices.

In fact, I have to appreciate, acknowledge and applaud the pro-active role played by the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and its members. You are commanding great
respect and playing a sheet anchor role in the collection of revenue to the Government,
both in direct and indirect taxes. Professionals should stand firm by their principles,
maintain professional integrity and intellectual honesty.

It is very easy to toe the line of the employer, but difficult to keep the trust and
responsibility of investors. You are under a binding obligation to the investors and
general public who repose confidence in you in your attestation, certification, expertise,
your competence as a professionals. The level of trust reposed in your profession by the
Government, the investors and society at large need not be over emphasized.

Corporates, NGOs societies, quasi-governmental organizations, all require the services
of chartered accountants to guide them in plugging loopholes in the existing system,
enhancing financial prudence and devising ways and means to optimize the resources.

The secret of your success in life lies within each and every one of you. It is your effort,
your determination to succeed, your consistent hard work that will propel you to greater
heights.

Steel is tempered by fire, you have been tempered by the very tough and difficult-to-pass
CA exam. You have emerged victorious and are on the first steps of the ladder of success.
Character and values are basic virtues for any professional. Maintaining a positive
attitude and right aptitude shall decide the altitude your life must find.

Your Institute has many laudable futuristic and progressive thinking systems in place.
You have a vibrant Continuing Professional Education committee headed by
CA.V.Murali to organize many programmes of professional relevance and post
qualification certification courses to suit the emerging requirements of society.

Thinking of others, helping others and working sincerely for the growth of our society
and nation will improve not only our outlook and personal prosperity but also will bring a
feel good factor.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm and there is no substitute for hard
work. Lord Edison has said, Genius is 99% perspiration and one percent inspiration.
Your sincere, dedicated and devoted work will set you apart from the rest and your
contribution is bound to be recognized sooner or later.


Career Orientation is important but it should not be in the cost of our family and personal
life. The West admires us for our values system, cultural moorings, heritage, spiritual
knowledge and the strong bonds of a joint family system. Our Indian culture, ethos and
moorings go back thousands of years and the values that are ingrained in our traditions
are to be respected, comprehended, appreciated and followed in spirit.

It is a paramount important that you develop a sense of belonging and sense of great pride
of being a citizen of this great country. Do not let petty, narrow minded, parochial and
divisive forces of language, religion, caste, gender, wealth and other factors to cloud your
reasoning and fair thinking.

The World is your for the taking. Make every effort to truly achieve all that you can in
the best possible way and do your bit for society and the underprivileged in your own
way.

As Union Minister holding the socially relevant portfolio of Labour & Employment, I
appeal to you, to use your core competence and expertise in creation of more
employment opportunities in your workplace and to enhance the working conditions of
the labour force. Strive to find ways and means to improve the quality of life of the
labour force, which is the backbone of any organization. Dedicated and competent
professional like you should strengthen the hands of the Government to achieve the
laudable social goals envisaged by our Ministry.

Let me end my convocation speech with the famous inspiring quote of Swami
Vivekananda Dont look back, look forward! Infinite enthusiasm, infinite daring and
infinite patience then alone can great deed be accomplished.

I wish every one of you a fulfilling, bring and prosperous future. I once again thank the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Shri V.Murali for giving me this
opportunity to share my thought with all of you.

Thank you. J ai Hind