Know your member – CS S Venkataramanan, City Union Bank, Kumbakonam- Black Belt holder in Karate.

 

1.         Tell us about your CS journey - your student life.

 

I enrolled CS-inter after completing my graduation in B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University. I passed out from ICSI - NIRC and later moved Chennai for MSOP (8^th batch) and ROC training. Currently I am a member of SIRC region.

 

2.         When did you get attracted towards Karate?

 

I have a craze since school days when I joined & learned basics of “JUDO”. After a long gap, during 2013, I was fortunate to meet a great Master  Taashi T.R. Vinoth in Kumbakonam. He has trained over 500 black belts so far. Since then I am practicing till now.  I trained under him for four years and finally awarded my black belt in the year 2016 by respected Shihan Hussaini in Chennai.

 

I must mention here that he comes under the direct lineage of Shihan Hussaini who is well known to be the Founder & Father of Isshinryu Style of Karate in India who is active in this field for over 40 years.

 

3.         What are the important achievements/ awards that you have got in Karate?

 

I have a good number of victories in my credit in various District and National level championships conducted at Tanjore and Karaikal. Perhaps, the most important achievement I consider is to have balanced my life the way I ever wanted to since my schooldays. As participations in tournaments tests a Karateka’s ability to show cause his/ her skills, the real achievement lies in application of a Karateka’s discipline in every walk of life. That’s the real challenge.   

 

4.         Being a professional, how is it possible for you to manage both the profession and your passion (Karate)?

 

My profession starts at 9.30 a.m., and Passion at 5.00 a.m. Everyone has a passion for something or the other, the moment one realizes, there is no need to take out special time rather it will demand by itself. Karate applies in whatever we do. To be precise I am being managed by my Passion.       

           

5.         How knowing this art has helped your life?

 

The basic thing Karate teaches is discipline, then to listen, watch, speak and to respect others. I hope to have learnt the least from a vast ocean. Moreover, it develops self - discipline and a strong will. 

 

6.         Are you teaching this art to other students?

 

Yes, we have Kumbakonam Isshinryu Karate Association and being a member I teach to good number of Karatekas (student) of all age groups in and around Kumbakonam.

 

7.         Your thoughts about Kumbakonam where you stay?

 

Kumbakonam is a nice place to be in being the “Temple City of Tamilnadu”. I am born in Kumbakonam and brought up at Delhi. Destiny pulled me be back to this beautiful place.

 

8.         Any suggestions that you would like to share to CS members/ students on healthy lifestyle.

 

            “Eat what your body wants, Train to Sweat out toxins from the body and lastly do not ignore our rich tradition in all walks of life.”

 

 

CS Family - Father, Son & Daughter in Law- Mr Venkateswaran family

1.       Please share your experience as a CS Student- when you started the course and how you completed it

CS Venkateswaran

When I passed B.Com., in the year 1979 through Maduri Kamaraj University Distant Education programme, I wanted to do some professional course as mere degree will not suffice me in future career. The best course to pursue through correspondence was ACS and my well wishers also advised to pursue the same as the demand for CS was increasing then. I took the course somewhere in 1980s and obtained the Membership certificate in 1992.

                CS Prasanna

I started the course in 2006, immediately after I joined college. CS foundation classes were being offered in the college where I studied B.Com (Guru Nanak College, Chennai). We used to have weekend coaching classes. I secured the maximum marks in the examination amongst all my college mates of that batch. I completed Intermediate and Final at the very first shot and enrolled as a member in 2011.

  CS Nethra

I am a straight through process to CS course. I didn’t go to college after my 12^th (It was a conscious clear decision). I wrote my CS Foundation in Dec 2011 and then completed both the modules in Executive by December 2012. Of course, Professional Programme took its own sweet time and I completed it. While pursuing the course, I completed my articles training under CS L V Shyam Sundar Sir. Finally, got my membership by November 2016.

2.       How each of you made progress in the Profession- where you worked and when you started practicing or joined current employment?

CS Venkateswaran

I worked as Company Secretary and Assistant Vice President in a leading share registry which is listed company with Mumbai and Delhi Stock exchanges till 2000. Thereafter I decided to practice. The situation when you are in employment is different and when you practice it is different. You are under the management when you are in employment and the scope to acquire the skilled acumen is less whereas the scope to acquire the acumen is more as you will be dealing with different categories of entrepreneurs.  It goes out without saying that I have made a good stride while in practice.

                CS Prasanna

My CS internship training was with CS K.Krishnamoorthy of Chennai. After completing CS, I took  CA as well. My CA article ship was with Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chennai. After my articles got completed I worked for some period with my father, CS B Venkateswaran and gained good knowledge.

Currently, I work under Murugappa Group for Chola MS General Insurance Company Limited, Chennai.

CS Nethra

I joined EDAC Engineering Limited (SPIC Group) as Secretarial executive in June 2016. By August 2016, I was a qualified CS. Much to my surprise, on completion of my MSOP, I learnt that my boss has resigned and the company wanted me to be their next CS. So, by November 2016 I was a KMP to EDAC. It was on June 2018, I decided to venture into my own practice.  Gradually, I started my practice and by god`s grace it’s been good. Of course, looking forward to progress in it.

 

3.       We believe two of you are practicing and one in employment; Can you kindly tell what each one of you is professionally doing now

CS Venkateswaran

Professionally at practice I am doing reasonably well. It is the mind set whether to go for employment or engage yourself in the practice side of the profession.

             CS Prasanna

In my current employment, I am part of the Fraud Control function and functionally report into the Chief Risk Officer.

                CS Nethra

At present, I am much into teaching Law for CA, CMA and CS and have started my practice. Moving forward on a long-term, I would be establishing myself as a practicing CS.

 

4.       Is it advantageous to have 3 professionals from the same profession? Any pitfalls?

CS Venkateswaran

Once again it is the mind set how you deal with the situation. At times it is highly advantageous and at times it is not. It all revolves round how you take it and deal with the situation. It is purely a subjective analysis and you do not have a tailor-made solution for this kind of situation.

             CS Prasanna

Having 3 professionals of the common background in the family helps us to understand mutual issues and support each other when required. I don’t see any pitfalls in this regard.

CS Nethra

Frankly it’s desirable. When my parents were looking for a suitable groom, none of them understood what CS was or rather understood what the term means and my nature of work. Prasanna, was the first CS I met and it was very accommodative for us in terms of professional understanding. Especially when it comes to taking classes, having same professionals at home is an advantage as they understand what you are into and how much time and effort it demands.

 

5.       How do you see the professional opportunities to the CS in employment and practice today?

CS Venkateswaran

I feel there is large scope in the practice side of the profession. It will be more lucrative when you get an opportunity to get into high profile MNC, where everything is being dealt highly professionally. It all depends what you get and how you decide. It is purely personal decision.

                CS Prasanna

Professional opportunities are galore. However, its in our hands to make best use of them and keep ourselves constantly updated for the same.

 CS Nethra

Employment opportunities are plenty and there are many areas in practice as well. With IBC, Valuations and GST there are lot of opportunities for CS Professionals. The only concern is that a good governance and ethics are to be followed at all levels.

Interview by : CS Mohankumar, Past Chairman ICSI SIRC 

Know Your Member – R Alagar, Practising Company Secretary

 1. Please tell us about your graduation and your student days with CS Institute.

 I am a B.Com Graduate from Madras University.  I didn’t know the value of the CS course and accidentally joined this course. At that time the Institute was in a rented place in Eldams Road, Chennai. It took me quite a long time to complete the Course and obtain Membership, since I was working in a private concern as an Accountant.  I was determined to complete this course and did hard work.

 2. How long did you work as an employed CS? Share your experience as an Employed Secretary.

Fortunately, I was made Company Secretary from the day one of getting ACS Certificate. For ten years worked in various reputed companies and in one company handled the complete Public Issue process till the listing of shares in six Stock Exchanges. Was blessed to have some senior Company Secretaries in that group of Companies, who taught many things in this field.

3. You quit employment in the middle of your career and started practice. Share us those days.

I left the job for practice, with an experience of ten years, with a hope of prosperity. Though there was not much scope for practice at that time, my time was well set and I could get  considerable assignments and certifications in the very first year. After that it was only a forward trend and more and more avenues were introduced by the Institute and I also grew with the tremendous changes in this profession from the physical mode to the electronic mode. I will always update my knowledge in technology ahead of its implementation.  

4. You have completed more than two decades of practice. You are one of the rare people who is very active in practice but has always worked as a One man army. How are you managing it?

I entered in Practice in 2001 and till date I am doing my practice solo. I gained speed and learned many short cuts. Technology updation is my strength, and could manage till date. But I would not advice this to any one since it will eat all your time and effort. 

5. Understand you are an Independent Director in a few Companies for a very long time. Can you please share that experience? 

I am an Independent Director in a Listed Company in Coimbatore for thirteen years now. It is quite an interesting experience and responsible position also. Doing my best for that position. I am also in three committees in that Company.

6. You have great passion for Drawing and have a separate Facebook page. Can you please tell about that? 

Drawing is my passion and I wished to be an artist. Accidentally became a Company Secretary. Now I do not have time to pursue my passion. I love photoshop and learning it. 

7. Also your passion towards Tamil and your writings in Tamil

Another passion of mine is reading. For a very short period, I was working in a College Library. Thanks to my teachers I could learn the beauty of my mother tongue – Tamil. I can write Tamil without mistake, read very fast (Quite often, I read many books in Higginbothams just in a very short time, standing.). Read many English fictions and non- fiction books. I have a collection of around 400 Books.  Now  have switched to Kindle for reading. I have my separate page in Facebook – ‘Alagar’s Musings’ for writing in Tamil and English.

8. At the age of 60 plus years, you are extremely Net savvy and always use all available tools in internet. Can you please share some of the tools that Practising CS can use in day–to-day life to ease their work?

I have only two books on Company Law.  I am fully using Google. I love software and can convert any document as an editable document. 

9. Can you please tell us about your Family? About your wife and sons.

My wife is a retired employee of a Financial Institution. My elder son is a software professional and my second son is pursuing advanced financial course.

10. What are your future plans? How do you find practice in early 2000 and now?

I have reached what best I can reach in profession and maintaining the same is enough. The Practice now is very challenging due to additional compliances.

11. Any specific message that you want to share for young Company Secretaries. 

 Dedication and hard work will take you to greater heights.

Interview by: CS Mohankumar, Past Chairman ICSI SIRC

CS FAMILY – JAGDISH PRASAD MUNDHARA AND FAMILY

 1. How did you plan to do CS course? Who motivated you to do the course?

 

CS Jagdish Prasad Mundhara

 I started my Company Secretaryship Course way back in the year 1984. Coming from a very small village in Rajasthan, the educational studies at that point of time was considered having much of cons rather than pros. At the time when I started the studies there was no concept of a Practicing Company Secretary. In fact, the qualified professionals were then employed by Companies to undertake their secretarial matters. Accordingly, with a drive for a well settled employment I pursued this course.

 My father has been my prime motivator as he wanted one of his sons to be educated and well qualified to help the community and society at large. I had the privilege of being the first qualified Company Secretary in my village. With the grace of god, blessings of my parents and good deeds of all living beings, I am happy to share that in my three decades of practice I have trained more than 30 students and out of which more than 25 of my students are proud members of this esteemed institution. I count this achievement as one of my biggest asset in the profession. 

CS Kusumlata Jhawar

 I started my Company Secretaryship course in the year 2005. The course at that time was gaining momentum as the e-governance mode (change from manual filing to online e-filing) was under the pipeline. I did my graduation from MOP Vaishnav College for Women and this infact met my logistic requirements as the Institute Premises was between my home and the college.

 My parents have been my biggest motivators for the course. I have admired my father, the way he worked, the way he planned things and the way the profession has helped him gain the respect and the way people looked at professionals. With the blessings and well wishes of all my near and dear ones I had the privilege of clearing all the three examinations in my first attempt and further helped me secure All India 25^th Rank in my Foundation Examination conducted by the Institute in the year December, 2006.

 

CS/CA Vineet Mundhara

I started my Company Secretaryship course in the year 2006. The introduction of the concept of e-Filing was one of the prime reason by which I got inclined to the course.

My parents and my sisters (I have one more elder sister who had left the Company Secretaryship course at the Intermediate Stage due to her marriage) are my biggest motivators for the course. I have been admiring my father and sisters since my childhood and this have led me into this profession.

The rigorous training which I have undergone under my father had led me to clear all the three examinations in my first attempt and further helped me secure All India 19^th Rank in my Professional Programme Examination conducted by the Institute in the year June, 2009. The motivation and strictness of my father and sisters also led to me do the Chartered Accountancy course and accordingly I had cleared all the three examinations in my first attempt and further helped me secure All India 1^st Rank in the Paper on Company Law and Allied Laws of my Final Examinations conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in the year November, 2012. With the blessings and well wishes of all my relatives, friends, near and dear ones I have been awarded with The UC Majumdar Prize for the Best Paper on Corporate & Allied Laws and The Late Shri. SM Dugar Memorial Prize for the Best Paper on Corporate & Allied Laws by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

2. Was CS course easy or tough when you did it? Do you think the earlier times were tough to pass or the current period is difficult to crack through?

 

CS Jagdish Prasad Mundhara

I have always felt that the CS Course is of appropriate standards which become extremely easy if we start working hard. The laws in the country are always based on some logic and it is this logic which is to be understood in its true sense. With regard to the toughness with the changing times, I feel it has been balanced at all times. Earlier, the course content was limited but we did not have much books and we had limited resources to get the reference books and also there was a lack of class room teaching mode. Nowadays, the course content has increased but it is also supported by an equal amount of reference materials, online and offline classes, webinars, technical sessions, etc.

CS Kusumlata Jhawar

As a student it was obviously a vast course but it was not that tough as I had attended the oral coaching classes of the institute and I was able to get all my doubts solved then and there. As said by father, the situation is almost the same, earlier there was less syllabus and less resources,  now the syllabus has increased and accordingly the support has increased manifold.

CS/CA Vineet Mundhara

I have been in the mid-times of the course, where we had vast syllabus but support such as postal coaching, oral coaching, suggested answer scripts, revision test paper scripts, etc was available and we had somehow managed to overcome the pressures of the examination. Presently, with the increase in the online support, the distraction of the students have also increased a lot. With the social / online media gaining buzz both at the education front and the entertainment front I find it difficult to crack the examinations at the present times.

3. Can you kindly tell what each one of you is professionally doing now

 

CS Jagdish Prasad Mundhara

I have been practicing as a Company Secretary and moreover into client consultation and office administration. I have been supported by my team of diversified professionals who help me in catering to all my client’s requirements.

CS Kusumlata Jhawar

I have been practicing as a Company Secretary in Mumbai and moreover looking into the firm’s Mumbai requirements.

CS/CA Vineet Mundhara

 

I have been practicing as a Chartered Accountant in Chennai.

4. It is very rare father and two children are from the same CS profession. How do you see it and how your relatives and friends see it?

CS Jagdish Prasad Mundhara

Well this combination is obviously a rare one and I am one of such proud father. I feel that this is generally a dream of all parents that they see that their kids are well educated, well settled and well placed in all their endeavours. The fulfillment of this dream is above all achievements. My relatives and friends have always been supporting us and have always taken this combination in their good books.

CS Kusumlata Jhawar

Yes it is a rare combination and this combination helps us in resolving all our professional doubts. My friends and relatives do admire us and have quite a few times taken us as their role models.

CS/CA Vineet Mundhara

Yes it is a rare combination and I am one of the lucky professional who always have two seniors round the clock for resolving anything and everything. My friends and relatives do admire us and have been always been supporting us.

5. How do you see the professional opportunities to the CS today?

CS Jagdish Prasad Mundhara

There are abundant opportunities at present both for young and senior professionals. With the latest amendments in almost all the legislations, I feel that the professionals are now required to tap the maximum available opportunities. 

CS Kusumlata Jhawar

With the spate of amendments in the Companies Act, LLP Act, IBC, SEBI Act, GST Act, Income Tax Act, FEMA Act and all other allied laws, I feel that the CS today have got lot of options to choose into. Unlike earlier times, where we had only Companies Act and SEBI Act in our purview, the window is now open for professionals to choose into.

CS/CA Vineet Mundhara

Yes there are many opportunities available at present. The members in practice and the members in industry who are now a part of the Board, find it extremely comfortable with the varied knowledge they have in various subjects. The daily bulletins in the form of Info Capsule, the fortnightly bulletins in the form of Gyan Ganga and the monthly bulletins in the form of newsletters and journals have helped the professionals gain abundant and latest knowledge and this in-turn have given the professionals a latest learning edge. I find that the CS today apart from the compliance requirements are called for almost all the Board discussions as the management have now understood the depth of knowledge these professionals have.

6. Any thoughts or advise to the young members and students?

CS Jagdish Prasad Mundhara

In a single line there is no substitute for the hard work and above all health is wealth.

CS Kusumlata Jhawar

Please note that it is only for the limited period where the sapling will require your care for growing into a plant and then into a tree and thereafter you will be able to reap all the benefits be it fruits or flowers or shadow.  

CS/CA Vineet Mundhara

I would always say that believe in yourself and always have the confidence to face whatever it be. Students should always start with simple concepts and then move to the complex one as this will help them gain the confidence. Always remember that we were first thought with letters like A, B, C, D, etc and the sentences were thought at a later stage.

Young members shouldn’t get carried away with the concept of easy money. Please be aware that the profession has gained its importance over the years of hard work of our senior members and please do not let it go with such small act of ours. Also, the responsibility of an appointed Company Secretary is huge and in some cases much more than the managing director of the Company.

Interview by : CS Mohan Kumar, Past Chairman ICSI SIRC

CS Family- Interview with CS Venkat and CS Sailakshmi

 

1. Please share us your journey as a Student; how you were attracted to CS Course?

 CS Venkatasubramanian (Venkat)

 When I was in 12th std, there was a chapter in commerce subject wherein the role of company secretary was taken by my teacher and he explained that a company secretary is a person who acts as a bridge between company directors and their shareholders. Honestly, with my limited knowledge I understood the role of a CS as like an intermediary person who solves problems and I felt I could do this course.  

 Journey as a student, with the blessings of God I have cleared both foundation and intermediate in the first attempt but final took four attempts.

 CS Sailakshmi

 I came to know about CS course during 1^st year of college. Initially, I thought of joining the CA course and my friend told me we can do CS instead and then I gave a thought and joined the CS course. Journey as a student, Like Venkat, I have also cleared my foundation and intermediate in the first attempt but final took four attempts.

 2. Where did you meet your spouse? How did the parents accept your marriage proposal?

 Cs Venkat

 Undoubtedly I met Mrs. Sailakshmi first in SIRC Institute when I came to pay my MSOP joining fee. We didn't know each other before. We become good friends post MSOP and which developed and progressed till marriage.

 When I opened up about our relationship, my parents understood things and took steps to approach her parents. Though it was like a congeneric arrangement, her parents took time to approve the scheme of arrangement.

 Cs Sailakshmi

 I met him first in MSOP.  We both and four other friends have become a group for all the events and presentations during our MSOP days.  We both became good friends and it turned to an everlasting relationship.

 Initially, it was a cold war when I opened up about our relationship to my parents. They took time to understand us and finally after 2 years, we got their approval and we got married in the year 2015.

 3. Do you think both being in the same profession as positive or negative? Are there any challenges in being in the same field?

 Cs Venkat

 Yes, Positive. Being in the same profession we know each other’s work clearly and hence could easily help each other in times of need.

 Cs Sailakshmi

 Being in the same profession, he not only understands my work, but also knows my behavioural positives and negatives and he will be able to offer better guidance than any other person.

 4. Share us about the Companies you worked as Cs and your progress in corporate/ Practice

 Cs Venkat

 I started my career with Everonn Education Limited under the mentorship of CS S Vijayanand. Initially, I was doing an internship there and later joined as an employee. I take this opportunity to thank CS Vijayanand who is my GURU and mentor both for my personal and professional life. It was wonderful learning to me from that Company. Later I worked with Matrimony.com, Laurus Edutech (P) Limited and currently, I am working with S.M.I.L.E. Microfinance Limited as Company Secretary and compliance officer. I have been working for this Company for the past five years. It gives me immense pleasure to work with directors and senior management people in SMILE.

 Cs Sailakshmi

 Initially, I started my career as a Secretarial trainee in R.Sridharan and Associates under the mentorship of Shri. R.Sridharan, Past president of ICSI and later worked as an employee for three years. It was like Gurukulam for me to start from scratch and I have gained good experience doing secretarial audits and mergers & acquisitions.  Post qualification I was working with Aspire Systems India Private Limited as Company Secretary for two years. Later I have started practice.

 5. Employment Vs Practice.. how do you see it?

 Cs Venkat

 We as CS family, post-marriage took a call that I will be in employment and she will take practice. It worked well for us.  A decade I was in employment with corporates as assistant company secretary and Company Secretary. Both practice and employment has its own advantages and disadvantages.  Though I was not into practice, I had the opportunity to understand it through my wife. We both work together and share knowledge more often.

 Cs Sailakshmi

 Initially, it was new to me to work in a corporate environment and later I have gained comfort working in corporates.  Post marriage I started to practice and it worked well and it was helpful for me to maintain the work-life balance. It is also financially advantageous to have fixed and variable income in a CS family. 

 6 Your marriage invitation was widely circulated in the CS Circle and was well appreciated. Can you elaborate on the same

 Cs Venkat

 We had three sets of invitation for our wedding.  One traditional card as parents suggested and one with full fun freak for our friends. The third one we thought as we both are in the CS profession our invite to CS and CA professional friends must be unique and catchy. It crossed my mind that we do have an agenda for the wedding so why not we can create a notice to our shareholders (i.e. well-wishers).

 Cs Sailakshmi

 We started pouring our thoughts and ideas to create the content in the style of an EGM notice ‘Eternally Granted Marriage’ and used the provisions of merger and acquisition and scheme of arrangements and edited suitably. It was shared in Facebook by CS Mohan Kumar and we have received lots of wishes and blessings from CS friends. We have given the link of the EGM Invitation once again here https://photos.app.goo.gl/2mYs9VCBaFdr7Ph46

 

7. How do you think that the CS profession progress in the years to come?

Cs Venkat

Any business new or old, big or small needs efficient Secretarial compliance services to sustain and grow. Compliances of a Company in top shape are a remarkable achievement that can help the business function smoothly and provide grounds for sound and promising business decisions. The statutory compliance needs will continue to grow with the business. Hence our profession will be a vital role for any business.

Cs Sailakshmi

In addition to what Venkat said, in the coming years, to ensure good corporate governance we can expect more stringent rules and regulations that the companies are required to follow. Our institute is also taking steps to make CS professionals as multidisciplinary. Hence our profession will play a vital role in the coming years.

 

Interview by: CS Mohankumar, Past Chairman ICSI SIRC