Celebrating My First National Authors Day — A Journey from Numbers to Narratives

 

Today, on 1st November 2025, I celebrate something deeply personal and life-changing — my first National Authors Day. This year, I step into a new identity with the release of my first book, Memoirs of a CA – Aap Toh CA Hain. Holding that book in my hands for the first time remains one of the most humbling and empowering moments of my life.

For decades, I lived the structured and disciplined life of a Chartered Accountant — filled with numbers, audits, boardrooms, and responsibilities. It was a fulfilling journey, but somewhere inside me existed another world — a world made of emotions, reflections, and unspoken stories. Writing this book helped me give those stories a voice.

That’s why National Authors Day means so much to me. It is not merely a date on the calendar; it’s a celebration of courage, creativity, and connection. It reminds me that everyone — not just authors — has a story worth sharing. Becoming an author has taught me that the true measure of life isn’t just in balance sheets or achievements, but in the hearts we touch and the experiences we share.

I celebrate this day with my family, friends, colleagues, and readers — because this journey is not mine alone. My wife, children, and well-wishers have been my pillars of strength, supporting me at every step. Though my parents are no more, I feel their blessings guiding me in every moment of this journey. My colleagues and students have watched me evolve from a professional who shared knowledge to a storyteller who shares life lessons. Their belief in me keeps me grounded and grateful every single day.

My author journey becomes possible only because of a few incredible people and organizations who stood beside me and made this dream come true. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Alke Advisors, who not only published this book but also managed everything — from operations to finance, from backend support to complete handholding. Their professionalism, trust, and guidance made this process smooth and deeply rewarding.

A very special thank you to Mr. Prakash Arya and the entire team at Rosemary Interactive, the creative force behind this incredible journey. Their passion, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment brought the book to life in ways I had only imagined. My gratitude also goes to Mr. Rituraj Kapila and his company, whose craftsmanship and dedication turned my manuscript into a beautifully printed book that I am proud to hold. And my sincere appreciation to Shopperpreneur, our digital sales partner, for ensuring this book reaches every reader who believes in dreams and stories. Each of you has been a part of my transformation — and I am forever thankful.

Since becoming an author, my view of life and work has completely transformed. Being in profession, I now see stories hidden behind every client interaction, every business challenge, and every financial journey. I see emotions behind numbers and human lessons behind every success and struggle. Writing has not just changed my career — it has changed my perspective, my purpose, and my connection with people.

National Authors Day reminds me — and all of us — to honor our stories. It’s an opportunity to share, inspire, and connect. I encourage everyone to celebrate this day with friends, family, and colleagues — because when we share our stories, we share our souls.

My message is simple: You don’t need to be a writer to write. You just need to be honest. Your journey matters. Your words can inspire, uplift, and transform someone’s life.

Today, I don’t just celebrate being an author — I celebrate the power of storytelling, the warmth of gratitude, and the joy of connection. Because sometimes, the most beautiful stories aren’t written in ink — they are written from the heart.

Written by:

 CA Sanjivv Shiv Kapoor

 

Innovating with Intent, Learning through Life

 Colour Coding: Order in a Chaotic World

When I began my CA journey in 1989, our profession was grounded in ledgers, files, and

mountains of paperwork. It was a time when even the idea of digital storage seemed far-fetched. In

that environment, efficiency wasn’t a luxury—it was a necessity born out of sheer volume and

pressure.

After careful observation and internal discussions, we adopted a colour coding system to simplify our physical filing. Green for audit, blue for income tax, and orange for general files. It may

seem rudimentary today, but back then, it made a world of difference. Our shelves were no longer

chaotic chaos; they became structured repositories of knowledge and order.

With the evolution of technology, we carried this concept forward into the digital era. Excel replaced registers, and our screens replaced files—but the colours remained. We used colour coding to represent client categories, work types, deadlines, and red flags. A splash of colour,

thoughtfully applied, brought not just clarity but also a kind of aesthetic discipline to our work. It

wasn’t just about function—it was about forming a process that aligned with clarity, creativity, and

consistency.

A CA for Life – The Journey, the Legacy, the Flame

When I look back at my professional journey of 36 years, it becomes emotional—like a vivid picture flashing before my eyes. Each frame tells a story. Each moment, a memory. This journey was not just about balance sheets and audits—it was about passion, purpose, and pride. And at the very heart of it was a name that transformed everything: ICAI – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

The ICAI Legacy: A Dream Cast in Stone

The ICAI was born on 1st July 1949 through an Act of the Indian Parliament. This historic

step gave the ICAI legal status and established the chartered accountant’s critical role in India’s

financial architecture. Our founder CA members laid the strongest possible foundation—one that

would raise an institution that today stands head and shoulders above its global peers. They gave us a rigorous system of education and training that brought forth professionals par excellence.

Over the years, ICAI has evolved with the times, revising its curriculum, training modules,

and perspectives to stay aligned with the ever-shifting economic environment. The Institute

became the torchbearer of India’s financial backbone, not only building it but also constantly reinforcing it.  Continuous learning became a hallmark—regular seminars, refresher courses, and new opportunities carved the path for Chartered Accountants to grow, diversify, and lead.

From just a few to almost four lakh CAs today, the ICAI has nurtured a breed of professionals

who reflect excellence and integrity. An average of 5,300 CAs qualify each year, a testament to

the difficult path and the impeccable standards maintained. An institution that has never faltered

in holding its examinations, regardless of circumstance—what an inspiring record!

To the ICAI, I owe sincere gratitude for creating a legacy and upholding it with relentless

commitment

The Vow of Arjuna – A Lesson in Focus, Faith, and Guidance

 There are moments in life that are so profoundly transformative that they become etched in your soul forever. For me, one such moment comes from the Mahabharata, a story I have revisited countless times, each time uncovering new layers of wisdom. 

It’s a chapter that has taught me lessons I live by today—especially the one that centers around

Arjuna’s vow, Krishna’s guidance, and the lesson of staying true to one’s path despite the many distractions that life throws at us. 

The story begins with a tragedy that shakes Arjuna to his very core. His beloved son, Abhimanyu, a young warrior full of promise, is cruelly slain in battle by the Kauravas. The manner in which he is trapped and killed is almost too painful to imagine, and as a father, Arjuna’s grief knows no bounds. But in that grief, something fierce and primal awakens in him—a vow, one fueled by pure rage. Arjuna swears that he will kill Jayadratha, the man who played a key role in trapping Abhimanyu, before the sun sets the next day. If he fails, he will end his own life.

This vow, impulsive and filled with raw emotion, reminds me of how often we act in anger or

frustration, making promises in the heat of the moment without truly understanding the consequences. In those moments, we think we are showing strength, but in truth, such vows can become a burden, one that can blind us to reason and lead us astray. Arjuna’s vow is born from a deep well of pain, but as we’ll see, it is also a reflection of human nature at its most vulnerable.

The Kauravas, ever cunning, anticipate Arjuna’s vow and lay out a trap. They place Jayadratha

at the farthest edge of the battlefield, surrounded by the fiercest warriors, hoping to ensure that

Arjuna will never reach him in time. The plan is simple—if Arjuna cannot fulfill his vow, he will

surely kill himself, and the Kauravas will have won.

But Arjuna, fueled by his vow, rushes to battle the next day, determined to face whatever challenges come his way. He turns to Krishna for guidance, urging him to hurry and take him to Jayadratha’s location. But Krishna, ever calm and collected, does something that at first seems strange to Arjuna. He smiles and asks, “Why such hurry?

Moments That Matter

 As an author, there are moments when the words of friends and colleagues resonate more deeply than any book or story could. The feedback and testimonials from those who have shared their lives and experiences with me not only offer a glimpse into the impact I’ve had on others but also serve as powerful reminders of the lessons I’ve learned through the relationships I’ve fostered. Recently, I was humbled by the reflections shared by a close friend who took the time to answer questions about our friendship, and I believe their responses paint a portrait of the bond we share.

Here’s a summary of their answers, and how they impact me as a person and as an author.

My Journey of Friendship with Puneet 

As I read through Puneet’s words—each sentence wrapped in nostalgia, warmth, and unfiltered honesty—I find myself both humbled and overwhelmed. It’s not every day that life blesses

You with a friend who remembers your journey better than you do. From our first hesitant steps 

into Class I at St. Xavier’s, to weathering the many tides of life together, this friendship has truly been one of life’s finest blessings. 

Puneet, your memory is as sharp as your heart is large. You’ve captured the innocence of our

childhood, the spirit of our adventures, and the essence of what binds us even after more than five

decades. From the backseat of a Maruti van under the Sariska stars, to the soulful silences we shared after losing loved ones—each recollection brought back not just moments, but feelings long tucked away.

The Path Less Travelled: A Journey into the World of Chartered Accountancy

 From a young age, the path of becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) seemed like a natural progression for me. It was never really a choice—it was the thing to do. My father, a practicing CA, and my uncle, a CA as well, had set such high standards in the profession. They carried with them an air of confidence, a depth of knowledge, and a level of respect that surrounded them. I wanted that.

Their influence on me was profound, and I knew that I wanted to follow in their footsteps,

not just because they were successful, but because they were admired for their integrity and expertise. I graduated from St. Xavier’s School in 1984, and by November of that year, I was preparing for the CA entrance exams. I cleared it in January 1985, and shortly after, I joined my father’s firm. to begin my training. Between the entrance and my final exams, I was also pursuing my B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University by correspondence. I qualified as a CA in January 1989, at the age of twenty-three and a half, a moment of pride I’ll never forget.

In those early years, I immersed myself in the core areas of auditing, corporate taxation, internal

audits, designing accounting systems, and international taxation. These became the foundations

of my practice.

Over the years, my role as a CA has evolved dramatically. I remember when everything was

still done manually—be it accounting or taxation. Computers were a rarity. But then came the

shift—computers, email, and the internet changed everything. From manual to digital accounting,

from faxing documents to sending emails, we witnessed a technological revolution.

The transition from desktop to mobile, the advent of social media, and the introduction of digital

signatures—these were just a few examples of how the profession evolved. It was not just the tools

that changed, but the laws, and the very way we conducted business. I had to stay updated, and keep my clients updated, through the constant changes in technology and legal regulations. 

Family – The Sanctuary Beyond Numbers

 

People often ask me, “How have you managed to balance the relentless demands of being a Chartered Accountant? " And with the equally profound responsibilities of family life?” And I’ve always believed that balance isn’t found—it’s created, choice by choice, moment by moment.

From the very beginning, I made one thing non-negotiable: When I come home, I truly come

home. Whatever stress the day brings, whatever deadlines loom, they’re left outside the door.

I often describe it as the gardener’s story—an old parable where a gardener would hang his problems on a tree outside his home before entering, so he could greet his family with a light heart and full attention. I do the same. My clients, my files, my worries—they all wait patiently outside. I pick them up again the next morning. Yes, there are exceptions. There have been times—month ends, audits, tax season—when I’ve had to blur the line. Client calls during dinner, urgent decisions during family time. But I’ve tried my best to keep such moments minimal. And thankfully, my family has always understood that this is not just my work—it’s my calling.

While I may speak often about “balance,” I’ve always drawn a clear line between my profession and my personal life. No one in the family is involved in my business, and that’s intentional.

I’ve never wanted to turn the dinner table into a boardroom or expect my loved ones to bear the

weight of professional pressures. Instead, I’ve kept those worlds parallel—not intersecting, but running side by side. My family is my grounding, my reset button, my daily reminder of what truly matters. They give me perspective, joy, and purpose far beyond balance sheets and advisories.