- Are you thinking of quitting after facing several failures?
- Hi, I am Dinesh Rathi. On January 16, 2008, I became a chartered accountant at the age of 48.
- My CA journey began in 1978, and it took me 30 years to finally have the honorable title of CA after my name.
- Here is my story of determination, resoluteness, and an undying spirit to carve out a niche for myself.
- Why am I telling this story? Because even if one individual gets inspired by my journey, it would be worth it.
Tracing My Ancestors: How I Began My Career in California
I was born and brought up in a small town, Bhusawal, in Maharashtra (India), in a lower-middle-class family with very limited resources.
I was a good student at school and always dreamt of becoming a doctor, but because of the high tuition fees, pursuing medicine was ruled out!
Observing my interest in studies, my father advised me to prepare for the Chartered Accountancy exams because of the prestige this course held and the career opportunities one has after qualifying.
Back then (1978), becoming a chartered accountant was considered a great feat, as only a few people managed to clear the exams. I loved challenges, so I decided to go for it.
Also, CA was well known for being one of the most economical qualifications in India, where one could work while studying. just perfect for me!
And it was here that I began my CA career in 1978.
I kept going forward with little support.
Since I came from a lower-middle-class family, I had a lot of financial responsibilities. I did not have the luxury to focus 100% on “just” studying!
So along with my articles and CA preparation, I helped my dad in his small business, and on certain days, I even gave tuition to earn some extra income!
For a few years, this was my routine: wake up at 4 am, prepare for my lectures, then attend articles, give tuitions, and later study for the CA!
All of this left me very exhausted with little time to study, and obviously, I kept failing my CA exams.
A few years later, I completed my CA articles but was still not able to clear my CA final exams!
Forging my own path Working full time and still pursuing CA
Fast forward: I married, and as my family grew (we have three children), my responsibilities grew, and my CA study time shrank!
Initially, teaching was the only source of income, but later, I realized I had to hustle a lot more to make ends meet!
That’s when I decided to start a few businesses on the side to earn some extra income, so I started washing milk bags and selling them, trading shirt pieces and spices, etc.
Eventually, I learned the craft of furniture making and started this business (of course while still teaching!). Luckily, this took off, and life got better financially!
So now my day begins with giving accounting lectures, managing my business, and caring for my family.
Did I give up on my CA dream in the midst of all this? NO.
Even after a hectic workday, I would study and prepare for my CA exams every night! My parents, my wife, Shubhangi, and my children supported me in every way they could.
There were days when I would be sitting in the same exam hall as my students, but nothing demotivated me.
I knew CA was a challenge I had accepted and worked hard to give it my all. Nothing else ever bothered me.
Finally qualifying as a CA after 30 long years!
Almost 20 years into my CA journey, in 1998, I met with an accident and, unfortunately, badly damaged a finger on my right hand! (Even today, it still doesn’t bend.)
Everything came to a standstill, and my dream of becoming a chartered accountant seemed impossible!
It was then that my wife encouraged me to use my left hand to write. It was not easy at all, but somehow, with every passing day, my conviction grew stronger, and I continued with my CA preparation.
After almost 6 years, I was able to use my right hand again!
Meanwhile, I continued to sit for exams, only to fail by a few points! IN fact, by now I had even given up checking the exam results!
Finally, on the 16th of January 2008 (the golden day of my life), my phone started ringing.
My youngest daughter, Neha (she was 14 at the time), answered the call. On the other side was a relative (Mrs. Darak) whose son had appeared for the exam along with me.
Here is the conservation:
Mrs. Darak: Hello Neha, Is there an elderly person in the house?
Neha: Yes, Dad is there.
Mrs. Darak: Anyone other than him?
Neha: No, it’s only the two of us at home.
Mrs. Darak: “Okay.” no problem. Tc!
Now the relative called up my uncle, who lives in the next building.
Mrs. Darak: Congratulations! Dinesh is a CA now.
Uncle: What? Repeat please.
(He was waiting for this day for 30 years!)
Relative: Yes! It’s CA Dinesh Rathi. Please go and tell him in person.
My uncle immediately rushed home, asked me to sit down, and gave me a glass of water. They were concerned that I should not get an emotional shock!
“Beta Dinesh, tu CA ban gayo!” Uncle said softly.(Dear Dinesh, you have become a CA!)
As always, I had expected to fail. So when he told me I passed the exams, I couldn’t believe myself. I hugged my daughter and started crying.
Everyone was overjoyed, from my wife to my children to my neighbors and even my students… after all, it had been a 30-year journey!
In Conclusion…
Life may look perfect today, but I had my share of challenges. My never-give-up attitude helped me through it all.
No matter what the circumstances, I was not ready to give up.
It was not easy pursuing CA for so long. However, my strong desire to become a chartered accountant helped me overcome all obstacles.
Giving up was a very easy option, but I wanted to pursue my desire. I wasn’t looking for instant gratification. And I am so glad my perseverance paid off.
My journey to becoming a CA came with surprises of its own, but today I can proudly say that it is because of this course that I became the man I am today!
My advice to young professionals is that “life is all about the journey and not just the destination.”
Dinesh Rathi has completed 40 years of his teaching career! And now he is an elected municipal corporate and also the author of more than eight academic books. He is more than willing to share his experiences with professionals and CA aspirants.