Pune – “India has a rich legacy of intellectual property (IP), creatively and profitably harnessed by our ancestors for trade and industry. However, we lost connection with this heritage during the medieval period. In today’s modern context, it is crucial to commercialise this intellectual wealth through legal and strategic channels,” noted IP law expert Adv. Anand Mahurkar. He was speaking at a one-day ‘MSME Festival’ organised by the Committee on MSME & Startups of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and its Pune branch.
Mahurkar underlined that “the road to commercial prosperity lies in the creation of intellectual property and securing it through proper legal registration.” He further emphasised that while India has historically produced significant intellectual innovation, there is an urgent need to revive and systematise these contributions for modern business applications.
The festival was held under the guidance of ICAI’s Central Committee member CA Chandrashekhar Chitale, Committee on MSME & Startup Chairman CA Gyanchandra Mishra, and Vice Chairman Arpit Kabra. The event saw the presence of Pune branch chairman CA Sachin Miniyar, vice-chairman CA Pranav Apte, secretary CA Nilesh Yewlekar, treasurer CA Neha Phadke, managing committee members Pritesh Munot, CA Nandkumar Kadam, Sarika Dindokar, and MCCIA Assistant Director Aniruddha Brahme, among others.
In a presentation linking historical insights with contemporary relevance, Mahurkar drew attention to examples such as the creation of stone tools in the Stone Age, and later, the intricate craftsmanship of the Paithani sari. “The designs—peacock motifs, vines, and buttas—woven with silk threads and metallic yarns in gold and silver were prime examples of IP. These designs were not only artistic but also durable and commercially viable. It is this blend of innovation, functionality and beauty that made them timeless,” he said.
Mahurkar stressed the importance of legally registering such creations today: “Understanding the difference between intellectual property and intellectual property rights is essential. The true value lies in protecting IP through certification, branding, and licensing, which paves the way for effective commercialisation,” he added.
Addressing the topic ‘The Art and Science of Financial Projections for Loan Sanctions’, CA Ranjeet Kulkarni said, “MSMEs and startups must familiarise themselves with government schemes tailored for small enterprises and present their project proposals accordingly.” He shared detailed insights on how to craft a development project report (DPR), avoid common pitfalls, and highlight critical financial parameters while advising clients.
The latter part of the festival included sessions on ‘Virtual CFO Services’ by CA Pramod Jain and guidance by CA Shrikant Rathi.
In his welcome address, ICAI Pune chairman CA Sachin Minyar said the festival aimed to empower both practicing and aspiring CAs with awareness about central government schemes, artificial intelligence tools, and intellectual property laws, enabling them to better support MSMEs and startups.
A helpdesk was also set up at the venue to guide MSME entrepreneurs on Udyam registration, grievance redressal, and application processes for various central schemes.
