Ticking Times

Glad to finally grab a copy of Ticking Times and reading it in one go...Interesting to read some of the questions Pattabhi Ram Sir had asked in the classes. Overall it gave a nostalgic feeling and some points to ponder. Also few why? One thing that keep coming to my mind after reading the book is what had happened to Rs.925,000? What was in the note of the train of events? Did I miss something or was it deliberately left for imagination. Excellent book covering various aspects. Am not surprised it has come from Sir. A proud moment to posses this and to have attended your classes. Looking forward for more books.

Here is what  CA Chikkerur C R wrote about the book:

Dear Pattabhi Ram sir

#TickingTimes - Yesterday, I had completed reading this book fully. Even though I bought it on 15th March 2019, could able to complete it yesterday in 4 days reading including yesterday's marathon reading of 150+ pages. Thanks to #Covid19 which bought back my reading habit.

I felt to share few points/Observations on this book as Student, Your follower and as CA.

1. #TickingTimes - I must say it is Ready Recknoer kind of book for people who wants to have CA as career. I liked Characters in that are Mike Mahi, Alka Varma and R Parkar.

2. Best part of book is how you built stories around each character. Child life of Mahi is inspirational as you gave all substance to show him as Born CA rather Certified CA.

3. I liked your narration of college life of Mahi, where you depicted him as Solution finder than Problem seater.

4. Articleship at Big4 story narration shows how much you had observed practices of Big4 in your articleship. It was True and Correct picture at any Big 4 of any articleship guy.
Dilemma experience of Tejas Arya in Big4 and Filmy style solution of Mahi on Signature issue reminds me Hindi movie of 90's

5. Beauty and substance of this book that - any new CA can see as Ready recknoer for practice is Mahi's story of building his practice of CA. Attitude matters. It is giving many hints on practices and current situation in CA field. Mahi's implimentation of Network idea is solution for SME CA firm. As a writer's right to give message through characters , I think you are hinting indirectly how SME need to solve Big 4 competition.

6. Wherever possible, you tried poke your nose in the area of fashion and explaining beauty in this book whenever you are explaining receptionist or other woman characters. But you tried your best tactic of "Touch & Go" in this.

7. You also shown a way to respond on media allegation. Indirectly You made a point that Media Trial is wrong way. Yes you gave fitting reply of Arnab kind of 24/7 news anchors.

8. As expected , you gave detailed picture of ICAI Election and working. Because your closeness with many Council members in the past and current, you gave each step of election. Your book must become RTP and Solved QP manual for any new candidate who want try his luck on Central Council membership.

9. Through Mahi Character, you had shown a way for Exam reforms needed in CA. Exam in every Quarter of a year is good idea to impliment. Hope it becomes reality.

10. Many times, I felt that you wanted to bring every character which you respect most. Bringing EX PM Manmohan Singh in this book and showing him as Game changer shows how much you respect him to the core.

11. Lastly I liked surprise twist in the tale end to the story to make Tejas role in Mahi's success shows that you made book as Good Story. Overall It was Upendra's Movie Story( Famous Director cum writer in Kannada Film Industry who gave movies like Om, A)

But I have few Q's on the book

A) Even though story has time period till 2014, I wonder how did you skip making any comment or reference on Gujarat Model, Gujarat CM (Current PM ) directly or indirectly. Did I miss anything in reading between the lines or it was intentionally missed

B) Its 8th wonder of world that how can Pattabhi sir misses #SachinTendulkar in his book. No much reference on Cricket and even no reference on World cup 2011 win in the book.

C)Even though there was in detailed documentation on election and working of ICAI, but I felt story of Birth of CA Act 1948, ICAI is missing in the " TickingTimes" which is needed for Readers who are CAs.

Conclusion : Thank you for giving in detailed story of CAs through Tickingtimes. Every page of this book has mark of your passion, your life, your observations, your taste and your aspirations.

Expecting an Autobiography from you sooner. I still wonder Why you are not jumping into administration and Election politics either in ICAI or in National politics even after having so much caliber and knowledge.

If you are not entering in politics, then it is loss for India. Can I expect Mahi's kind of decision for President post directly in ICAI in first term of Central Council soon or becoming Minister through RajyaSabha ??? Hope you act