My Dear Professional Colleagues, 

I am deeply grateful and humbled to address the distinguished members of the Bengaluru Branch in my capacity as Chairperson.

I assume this office with profound appreciation and respect for the selfless contributions of my predecessors who have positioned the Bengaluru Branch at the highest point of excellence in the country. The Bengaluru Branch is not merely the largest in terms of membership, it is also the finest in the quality of knowledge dissemination, professional engagement, and institutional leadership.

As Dolly Parton aptly said: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.”

Undoubtedly, our past leaders have built such an inspiring legacy for the Bengaluru Branch, and I salute them with deep respect and gratitude.

Our profession is steadily evolving from being perceived as number crunchers to becoming strategic business advisors, techno-accountants, and ethical custodians of governance. In this transition, technical competence alone is not sufficient. It is trust and credibility that anchor us. It is integrity and values that elevate us.

The theme for this year — UTKARSHA — articulates this aspiration succinctly. Utkarsha signifies rising, flourishing, and progressing with excellence rooted in ethics.

February marks a season of transition — not only in nature, as spring unfolds, but also within ICAI with new leadership assuming office.

At the Headquarters of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, we are led by:

• CA Prasanna Kumar D – President
• CA Mangesh Pandurang Kinare – Vice President

At Southern India Regional Council (SIRC):

• CA Subbarao Muppala – Chairman
• CA Sunil Mandava – Vice Chairman

We are proud to note that our own member and Past Chairman, CA Pramod R. Hegde, serves as the Secretary of SIRC.

My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all our leaders.

The Office Bearers of the Bengaluru Branch for the year are:

• Vice Chairman – CA V.M. Tuppad
• Secretary – CA Shripad HN
• Treasurer – CA Nischal RB
• SICASA Chairman – CA Vinod Garg
• SICASA Co - Opted Member – CA Shree Raksha K N

I also take this opportunity to congratulate the Immediate Past Chairman, CA Manjunath M. Hallur, for providing yet another outstanding year of accomplishment.

March holds special significance as International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March. International Women’s Day is a reminder to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of women across all spheres.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day “Give to Gain” resonates deeply.

I urge our women members to give up inhibitions and self-limiting beliefs and to extend a supporting hand and a reassuring presence to one another, to rise collectively as a community of confident successful professionals.

To mark the occasion, the Branch has scheduled Women CA Conference –  SAMPADA meaning collective growth, on 14th March 2026, thoughtfully curated to address the unique challenges faced by women Chartered Accountants and to strengthen their technical competence and leadership capabilities. I am sure will be enriching as well as fun. I encourage members to participate in large numbers.

Recognising the challenges faced by women and young practitioners, the Branch has reintroduced the Mentorship Programme this year. Mentors have been carefully empanelled, and mentees are provided with the flexibility to choose their mentors. I strongly encourage members to leverage this initiative to its fullest potential.

Let us together rise in excellence, in integrity, and in purpose.

I wish you all a happy and prosperous Yugadi !

Looking forward to an enriching journey of learning, camaraderie and meaningful contribution.

Yours,

CA Kavitha Paramesh

Chairperson