The first academic event of the year 2019-20: A Symposium on Budget in association with World Trade Center, Pune was organized on 12th August, 2019. Eminent speakers graced the occasion and enthralled the audience with their thought provoking inputs on the constituents, challenges, expected outcomes and projections of Union Budget 2019. 

In her opening remarks, the Director, Dr. B. H. Nanwani welcomed the guests and brought to fore the key issues for consideration in the symposium. 

The symposium was inaugurated by Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman: 5F World, Global Talent Track, Pune City Connect, and SVP India Founder: CAIA-Center for AI and Advanced Analytics, Kalzoom Advisors, and NES. He stressed on impact of developments in the international arena, like, EU & Brexit, US-China disputes, Russia, South- East Asia, etc. on the budget while the Keynote speaker, Mr. Robin Banerjee, MD, Caprihans India Limited, compared the ‘Gini coefficient’ of other countries and India.

An interesting panel discussion saw myriads of thoughts [wise yet cautious, bold and optimistic] being exchanged by Mr. Hari Srivastava, Vice-Chairman Deccan Chambers of Commerce and VP Oriental Rubber, Mr. Meghnand Dungarwal, Senior Tax Professional, SKP Business Consulting & Founder- Shoonyas Business Coaching, Siddharth Shah, Chartered Accountant and IDT professional at SKP & Co., Pune, Mr. Ashok Agrawal , Founder, Lucrative EXIM Outsourcing Pvt Ltd. India. The panel discussion moderated by Mr. S Vaidyanathan, Ret. General Manager, Bank of Baroda and a seasoned academician, made the dense topic comprehensible for student participants. With dollops of humor and humility he won over the hearts of panelists and participants. The panel members unanimously agreed that an optimistic approach toward the budget can take the Indian economy and business a long way: albeit the business sector keeps pace with the developments and shapes up in time.

This was followed by an interesting question – answer session. The symposium ended with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Smita Iyer.