Addressing the National CA conference-2023 in Bhubaneswar, the Finance Minister said fast adoption of technology by these professionals will come in handy in such efforts. She asked CAs to embrace technology in a big way in their work as it would yield them huge productivity gains in their functioning.

“The Government is actively ensuring that India’s Chartered Accountants become global leaders and engage with counterparts from other countries, thus enabling the sharing of the best possible knowledge,” Sitharaman said.

Noting that India’s economy is driven by start-ups, new-age industries, and industries transitioning from traditional methods to modern approaches, she said all of this requires the support of CAs, guiding clients and encouraging them to embrace new technology. This will be possible only when CAs are at the top in adopting technology.

“I hope you will build on the success of the World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) held in November 2022, and you should strive to forge more collaborations with other international organisations,” the Finance Minister added.

Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also addressed the event and said while India has become the 5th largest economy, we have also emerged as a global fin-tech superpower. “We are on course to become the 3rd largest economy. Our CA fraternity will be the catalyst of this economic growth,” he said

“They have to handhold and provide financial guidance to start-ups, women entrepreneurs, nano enterprises of the bottom of the pyramid and MSMEs for adding more strength and structure to India’s entrepreneurial spirit,” Dharmendra added.

Accompanied by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP’s national spokesperson Sambit Patra and other senior leaders, the Finance Minister visited Biraharekrushnapur and collected soil from the village. The soil was put in Amrit Kalash under ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign.

Sitharaman also honoured the family members of martyrs and freedom fighters of the area in the presence of Dharmendra and other senior leaders. She was also seen touching the feet of elderly family members of freedom fighters.

Earlier, the Union Ministers took part in a plantation drive as part of ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign launched by the Centre to pay tribute to individuals who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

In the morning, Sitharaman along with Dharmendra and other leaders visited Shree Jagannath temple at Puri and offered prayers in the 12th century shrine.

The Union Ministers also visited sand art on ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ installed by noted artist Sudarsan Pattnaik & his team at blue flag beach. Sitharaman praised the sand art created by the internationally acclaimed sand sculptor and his team.

She then visited the Shri Sadashiv Campus at Central Sanskrit University near Penthakata in Puri and attended a programme under ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign.