April 24, 2025
Understanding The SME IPO
Mr. Sundararaman Ramamurthy, Managing Director & CEO, BSE Limited was the Guest of Honour.
Stressing the need for investor awareness and responsibility, BSE Managing Director and CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy said that regulations alone can’t protect investors if they do not take adequate precautions, while investing. “You trade what you understand, and you understand what you trade — if you don’t do that, you have a problem,” Ramamurthy said, urging investors to be vigilant and informed. He criticised the tendency of investors to rely on hearsay rather than due diligence. On regulatory expectations, the BSE chief remarked that there is a general perception that regulators are blamed when investors lose money, but when markets do well the same person praise their own knowledge.
“If you don’t want to safeguard yourself, no amount of regulation can save you. Be alert,” he stressed. Addressing the issue of retail participation, Ramamurthy advised that small investors who are not market experts should opt for the mutual fund route — and even then, they should avoid thematic funds and instead choose broad-based mutual funds or large-cap funds to diversify risk. He also encouraged women and the youth to begin investing early in their careers. Highlighting the potential of India’s SME sector, the BSE CEO pointed out that only about 40 companies from this region are currently listed on the stock exchange, while the actual potential could be well over 1,000. He urged more small and medium enterprises to consider listing as a viable route to raise funds and grow their business and unlock their potential. Responding to a question on possible manipulation in SME listings, Ramamurthy acknowledged that frauds such as pump-and-dump schemes could not be ruled out entirely even if regulators and stock exchanges are vigilant. He said that BSE was deploying AI and large language models on trial for initial scanning of IPO documents to detect areas of concern.
April 12, 2025
GST – KEY Issues in Return Filing
Mr. Avijit Kumar De, Assistant Commissioner, CGST & CX, Pr. CCO, Kolkata Zone, Department of Central Goods and Services Tax & Central Excise, Govt. of India and CA Shivani Agarwalla, Chartered Accountant, GST Expert, National Faculty, GST, ICAI were the Guests of Honour.
Mr. Avijit Kumar De stressed the importance of compliance and adherence to correct procedures in GST return filing. He noted that while it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to ensure timely and accurate submissions, it is equally the department’s duty to conduct lawful scrutiny of returns. He indicated that the session would examine common issues related to return filing, departmental scrutiny, and possible challenges during audits and investigations. He engaged the audience with an overview of procedural errors, audit preparedness and practical compliance strategies. Mr. De also assured attendees of his willingness to respond to their concerns and provide practical guidance to navigate routine interactions with GST authorities.
CA Shivani Agarwalla offered an overview of the complexities within the GST regime, which, despite being envisioned as a “Good and Simple Tax”, still presents challenges in interpretation and application. She outlined the transition from excise and service tax to GST’s supply-based taxation and highlighted areas such as retrospective amendments, judicial decisions, misclassification issues and on the spot recoveries. She concluded by encouraging businesses to be well-versed in their legal rights, including the right to a fair hearing under the GST law.
March 19, 2025
Celebrating International Women’s Day – Icons of Change – Masters of Resilience
Ms. Mona Sengupta, Founder Director, AHAVA Communications and CA Shivani Agarwalla, Six Time Women World Champion – Kettlebell Sports were the panelists and the Moderator of the Session was Dr. Tania Chakravertty, Dean of Student Welfare, Diamond Harbour Women’s University.
The discussions centred on how continue to evolve as powerful forces of change and resilience, overcoming personal and professional obstacles to emerge as icons of change. The event served as a platform for recognizing the power of women’s leadership and the impact of their resilience in shaping a more inclusive future.
Ms. Anindita Roy, Co-Founder, BE and MAKE (for the education of a tribal girl child) was presented a token amount to further promote her welfare activities including educating tribal girls.
Ms. Mona Sengupta & Ms. Shivani Agarwalla spoke about their happy childhood and growing up period as well as continuous support of parents and other family members including their life-companions in their achievements and success stories of life.
Ms. Shivani Agarwalla said that Kettlebell sport is basically a weight lifting sports. It finds its origin in Russia but now it’s played as a competitive sport all other the world. She represents India and she got last gold in Belgium. She thinks for someone who’s never participated in a single sport even back in school or college, being India’s reigning Kettlebell queen not once, not twice but six times. Other than hard work, she is a product of good parenting and also product of good mentorship. She is practicing chartered accountant because lifting kettlebell does not pay her bills. She has come from a happy family and married to a happy person.
Ms. Mona Sengupta told that she grew up during the time, when there was no television, no internet and only entertainment was school sports and she used to learn piano and had gone to French classes. She said that books were everywhere in her house, her father inculcated deep love for reading in her. From the Oxford book stall, she purchased the books and started reading and then she realized she was an extrovert and lot of friends and reading gave her the utmost pleasure, joy, companionship and happiness.
After graduation with English honors from Loreto collage, she did double Masters in Leicester University and the University of Birmingham, shifting from English to Social Science, which were great achievements. She came back to India and joined the Statesman, then went to the Telegraph which was her amazing journey, and headed marketing & events for Apeejay Oxford Bookstores for five years which was a dream assignment. In 2012, she started Ahava Communications and decided to do some innovative and engaging work with different age groups in the city.
February 15, 2025
Special Session UNION BUDGET - 2025-26 and Its Impact on Economy
Shri Rishabh C. Khothari, CEO, CKC Fragrances and Flavours Pvt. Ltd., President, The Hindusthan Club and CA Krishna Kumar Chhaparia, Practicing Chartered Accountant were the Guest of Honour at the Session.
Shri Rishabh C. Kothari in his address said “The Union Budget 2025 strikes a balance between fiscal prudence and economic stimulus”. The increased income tax relief to the middle class, will boost consumption. The focus on infrastructure, manufacturing and FDI liberalization is a positive step toward long term growth and job creation. The government’s commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit while prioritizing inclusive development reflects a responsible approach. Overall, it is a forward-looking budget that lays a strong foundation for sustained progress. Shri Kothari emphasized one needs to be discerning about inflationary effect of the budget. He said consumers spending in cities and in rural areas can be different. City dwellers will be spending on necessities while rural residents can go for more savings. He appreciated budgetary provision to promote MSMEs, Startup. Shri Kothari said various provisions in the budget are growth oriented but one needs to recognize complexities and challenges during implementation of budget.
Shri Krishna Kumar Chhaparia in his address highlighted various provisions in budget for promoting MSMEs, Startups. Shri Chhaparia spoke in detail on introduction of New Income Tax Bill in Parliament and changes in GST rules. Shri Chhaparia emphasized on merger and amalgamation provisions in the budget. He presented analysis of Union Budget as analysis of Corporate Balance Sheet in a unique style. Decriminalization of various provisions of Income Tax laws will help tax payers in a big way.
February 06, 2025
Special Session on Promoting India - Philippines Partnership
H.E. Mr. Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines in India was the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour were Mr. Deepak Kumar Khemka, Hony. Consul General, Republic of Philippines in Kolkata, Ms. Melissa Telan, Third Secretary and Vice Consul of the Embassy of Philippines in India and Mr. Eugenio C. Elevado, Jr., Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Philippines in India.
H.E. Mr. Josel Francisco Ignacio said he was very pleased to attend two day Bengal Global Business Summit 2025 in Kolkata as well as explore scope and opportunities of doing business with various corporate houses in West Bengal. Philippines and West Bengal can promote cooperation and collaboration in development of fisheries industry, especially tuna fish industry. Philippines is interested to import fish meal from West Bengal as well as other parts of India which is used as fertilizers in agriculture.
Philippines issue e-Visa to Indians and it is fully operational and any Indian can apply for e-Visa from anywhere in India. Philippines is interested to welcome Indians tourists.
Around May, 2025 direct flight between India-Manila route is expected to begin which will be operated by Air India has stated by H.E. Mr. Josel Francisco Ignacio.
Philippines and India have relationship based on shared values such as vibrant, democratic polity, pluralistic society, rule of law, and independent judiciary, free space and the wide spread use of the English language.
Philippines has recently taken over the three-year rotating “Country Coordinator-ship” of ASEAN India relations. Philippines appreciates India’s recognition of ASEAN Centrality. India and Philippines multi-dimensional defence cooperation is deeping with sell of Brahmos missiles by India to Philippines.
India's act east policy initiative in 2014 boosted the relationship with Philippines as well as diversified into political security, trade and industry and people to people relation. With evolving security needs of Philippines - India cooperation in areas of foreign policy, security, defence, trade, finance, tourism, health, agriculture, people to people relations and culture are expected to deepen and strengthen.
January 16, 2025
Special Session Traditional Investing VS Dynamic Investing - new Paradigm
Mr. Sandeep Tandon, Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Quant Mutual Fund was the Guest of Honour.
Shri Sandeep Tandon in his address said in evolving socio-cultural, economic scenario, investment in flexible return financial products are better option than traditional financial products like fixed deposit or real estate. Shri Tandon suggested one needs to plan one’s short, medium, long term investment taking into consideration one’s short, medium, long term objectives of live and needs.
In financial market, wide range of flexible return financial products are available. Shri Tandon suggested one needs to do proper analysis before investing. While investing in any high return flexible financial product one should consider various risk factors also.
April 24, 2025