CFA Charter Felicitation Ceremony in Mumbai…

Contributed by: Jainendra Shandilya, CFA & Shreenivas Kunte, CFA

The 10^th Mumbai charter felicitation ceremony was held at Sunville, Worli, Mumbai. The event was flagged off by Sunil Singhania, CFA and Board of Governors, CFA Institute, who congratulated the newly successful charter holders and also those who passed level III exams. Sunil spoke on the future of financial industry and the value of ethics in the industry. He encouraged charter holders to always put investors first in their dealing with clients. Sunil endeavoured to speak impromptu – “Mann ki Baat” as he put it – instead of using the long speech he had prepared for the occasion.

Paul Smith, CFA and President, CFA Institute took to the podium next. Paul welcomed the new charter holders and their family members and elaborated on how the future belonged to the new charter holders. Paul asked the new charterholders to make the maximum use of their newly acquired knowledge and skills that. Jayesh Gandhi, President IAIP spoke next – primarily on the various benefits available to charter holders and congratulated them on achieving this milestone. He spelt out details on the benefits available to charter holders including the regular events organized by the IAIP and various other speaker events including the flagship program of the CFA Institute, i.e. the India Investment Conference. He encouraged the newly joined charter holders and level III pass outs to attend the upcoming India Investment 2016 in January. Such events, Jayesh explained, allowed members to derive more in terms of membership value. India Investment Conference in particular would allow members to experience international quality speakers and to network with a number of distinguished professionals in the financial markets.

Finally, Vidhu Shekhar, country head, CFA Institute shared his views and reviewed some of the important milestones that IAIP has witnessed so far. Vidhu, encouraged young charterholders to visit the CFA India office at BKC in Mumbai. Trophies/mementos were distributed to charter holders by Sunil Singhania, Paul Smith, Vidhu Shekher, Jayesh Gandhi and other senior IAIP Volunteers.

After the formal speeches were over, candidates were asked to say a few words about their experience. Initially, there were some inhibitions from the candidates, but one by one they started coming to stage to set the ball rolling. One of the candidates/charter holders expressed his gratitude to his family and children. Ultimately both the charterholder and his family had to bear and make a number of sacrifices for clearing CFA program. Some of the candidates expressed relief that the rigour of preparation was finally over. Some charter holders requested IAIP management to allow charterholders to bring their children so that they could also be part of the celebrations.

Just before the charter award ceremony, registered participants and members had the opportunity to listen and interact with Nobel laureate, Professor Robert Engle. Professor Engle spoke for about 30 minutes and explained his views on Chinese stock market volatility. He drew comparisons with macro issues and also remarked on some of stock markets across the region. Professor Engle spoke from Shanghai along with Larry Cao, CFA, Director Content, who moderated the event. This event was broadcast live for the benefit of members in the region.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Arti Porwal, Director, CFA Institute, India. The event was anchored by Sonia Gandhi, CFA and volunteer IAIP. Sonia also added to vote of thanks to all the participants for attending the event.

-JS & SK