Achieving scholastic success is one feat to be applauded while contributing to the the country through the effect of that achievement is something which should not be left unnoticed. Despite her acquaintance among us we do not realise her efforts what seems to be insignificant but a major player in bringing huge impact to the past, present and fututre. Besides, she has higly given her service to social reforms for the country. Such an unsung hero is R Shivbhogam, India’s first woman CA(Chartered Accountant).
R Shivbhogam, besides auditing of business accounts in various government organisations like RBI(Reserve Bank of India) was an ardent efforter in promoting education among young girls, also offering scholarships and coaching classes to girls.
• For the sake of encouraging more girls to pursue in the field of finance, she introduced a gold locket as an award as a driving force for best female candidate for clearing the final exam conducted by ICAI in the first sitting, in the year 1956.
If today, ICAI has more than 80,000 women CAs, a considerable amount of credit goes to this feisty woman.
Rise of Women as Chartered Accountants in present India
India, in particular, has been enriched with remarkable feminine figures throughout its history. Currently, every 3 Women in India is a Chartered Accountant (CA). Beginning from CA R Shivbhogam in 1947 the journey of Women Chartered Accountants has been remarkable since then.
Initiative Taken by ICAI Towards Growth of Women
“Well begin is half done”
It is said your half work is already greatly done 8f it begins well. Happily we are proud that our first Chartered Accountant is known for excellence , determination and perseverance, and lying the strong foundation for Chartered Accountants in india.
Precedented by its successful women members In its more than seven decades of existence, the ICAI has always taken an active part in women’s professional growth through numerous projects and programs. Therfore Recognizing the importance of gender equality in the professional domain, the woman specific projects are high on its agenda:
• MoU between ICAI and Niti Aayog
• CA Women Excellence Awards for Women Members
• Networking Program and Training Program on HR Strategies and Relationship Management:
To support and motivate female members interested in pursuing professions as entrepreneurs or in HR strategies and relationship management.
• MoU between ICAI and FLO :ICAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) to increase women’s engagement in its financial literacy initiative.
Positions roar of Shivbhogam’s superiority
• She has even hosted the first ever Regional Conference in 1956, which was inaugurated by legendary statesman Sir. C P Ramaswamy Iyer.
• participated in the Fourth conference of the Asian and Pacific Accountants in 1965.
• was a committee member of the Society of Auditors and Senate member of the University of Madras.
• became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) when it was set up in 1949.
Ideology
It is believed she led a simple life wearing only khadi sarees. She used to travel by bus. Certainly was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideologies.
She is one such bold freedom fighter who actively participated in Youth League headed by Rukmini Lakshmipathy in the 1920s and later Swadeshi movevent to teach hindi to khadi based block printing to popularizing nationalist songs to boycotting foreign goods. The members also sold swadesi products at public meetings. Sivabhogam took part in all of these activities. Hence she witnessed the imprisonment along with her compatriots like Krishnabai Nimbkar, Ambujammal and her aunt Janammal, the multi-faceted Vai Mu Kothainayaki and Margaret Cousins at vellore goal for a year as the its consequence with satisfaction.
Paving the way to CA
However what was considered as a strict punishment for disobedience to Britishers no one, even she herself did not think India was going to be given her first female auditor writing the glorious history in more than one way influencing generations to come.
Life plays interesting game with us. While residing as a prisoner in a place of punishment where thought is to get out of the hell gave her mind the idea to appear for Graduate Diploma in Accountancy (GDA) exam. One can only imagine the determination, hard work and tremendous amount of courage it must have taken for Sivabhogam to clear the exams in a male dominated profession along with dissuadation from the parents. Giving her support only her elder sister Subbalakshmi came up from her family.
Where there is will there is the way, she created history in 1933. Thereafter she did her articleship training under C S Sastri, an auditor in Chennai.
Won the law petition against British
Despite her sheer brilliance of being pioneer, her struggles were not over yet. After the training she wanted to start independent practice but the then British Government enacted a law under which people who had undergone imprisonment were prevented from registering themselves as Accountants. Sivabhogam filed a writ petition to quash such an Act and got the verdict in her favour and began her practice in 1937 and went on to head the audit of government institutions and social organisations.
The First Woman Accountant of India
Ms. R. Sivabhogam was born on 23rd July, 1907. She had her schooling in Lady Wellington School Chennai . She took her last breath on 14th June, 1966. She reached her excellency in her time. We have just one more story in our glorious past. Let us remember through her struggle:
“There Aren’t Any Rules for Success that Work, Unless You Do.”
By: Harshik
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
