[A humorous yet heartfelt conversation between a senior Chartered Accountant and his younger colleagues - about faith, fitness, family, and the fine art of showing up on time].
Scene: The Office Reception - 10:00 a.m.
A bunch of young professionals-bright minds, sleepy eyes-were gathered around it, discussing everything under the sun except work.
And then entered CA Raj Jaggi fresh as the morning itself. Crisp shirt, smiling face, calm composure - he looked like someone who had already lived half a productive day while others were still rebooting.
"Good morning, team!" he said cheerfully.
"Good morning, Sir," came the collective, not-so-cheerful reply.
CA Amit (grinning): "Sir, we were just talking about you."
CA Raj Jaggi: "That sounds dangerous. What are the charges this time?"
CA Amit: "No charges, Sir! Just curiosity - how do you manage to reach the office before everyone else, in all seasons - even after four decades of work?"
The Secret That Shocked Everyone
CA Raj Jaggi (smiling): "The secret is simple. I wake up at 4:15 a.m. every single day - yes, even on Sundays and holidays."
The room froze.
CA Neha: "Sir, that's not morning - that is still yesterday night! We usually reach home around that time after attending weekend social parties and get-togethers!"
CA Raj Jaggi (laughing): "And that, my dear Neha, explains why I reach early - and you reach occasionally!"
The laughter echoed across the room.
The 4:15 A.M. Formula - My Morning Routine
CA Rohit: "But Sir, what do you even do at that hour? The world is asleep!"
CA Raj Jaggi: "That's the beauty of it - the world is silent, and peace is awake."
He leaned forward, eyes twinkling.
"I start my day by bowing before the Almighty and saying a heartfelt thank you - for health, family, work, and peace. Starting the day with gratitude is like opening your ledger with a credit balance."
"Then I drink lukewarm water with half a lemon - my own GST-free detox! From 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., I offer prayers and recite God's names, thanking Him for what I already have rather than what I still want."
A Walk with the Divine - The Power of Solitude
"After prayers, I head to the nearby garden for a 40-minute brisk walk followed by 20 minutes of yoga. And yes, I'm the first person there! Even the birds look surprised to see a human so early."
The juniors laughed.
"I consciously avoid chatting or gossiping there. I believe that the Almighty, who blesses us with 24 precious hours, surely deserves at least one hour of pure remembrance. Why waste the sharpest hour of my mind on random talk?"
"I have planned it well and executed the same meticulously - I reach before others so I get 30 minutes of complete solitude. When other walkers arrive around 5:50 a.m., I greet them politely, but my inner conversation continues with God."
He smiled warmly.
"That one hour of silence gives me confidence that the Almighty is always with me - guiding and protecting me through every challenge."
CA Shivani: "Sir, you always talk about gratitude to the Almighty. Can you quote a few examples of gratitude from Hindi movies?"
CA Raj Jaggi (smiling): "Yes, Shivani. Two movies instantly come to my mind. One is from the 1983 Rajesh Khanna movie "Avtaar". Ther is a song where Rajesh Khanna, playing an aged man, sings -'Kuch log to juto ko ro rahe hain, par kuch logo ke paav hi nahi hote…... Mera haal itna kharab nahi... Uparwala, tera jawab nahi...'
The message is simple - don't complain about your shoes when someone else doesn't even have feet."
He smiled and continued:
"The second example is from Sajan (1989). There's a scene where Sanjay Dutt, who has a defective leg, complains to God about being handicapped. But then he sees a man with no legs entering the church to thank God! In that moment, Sanjay Dutt realises his mistake, apologises to God, and thanks Him for at least giving him one leg."
CA Raj Jaggi leaned back thoughtfully.
"These two scenes are permanently etched in my memory. They remind me that gratitude is not situational - it is habitual. I thank the Almighty twice every day - once after my morning prayers and again at night before going to bed. It's my way of closing each day's ledger with a credit entry of gratitude."
Shivani (teasing): "Sir, are you saying Bollywood also contributes to your spiritual learning?"
CA Raj Jaggi (laughing): "Of course! Even GST has input credit; why should not life have gratitude credit?"
CA Rohan: "Sir, we know you are blessed with two daughters. Don't you ever feel that God should have blessed you with a son - especially after the passing away of your wife, Renu Ji - someone who could take care of you in old age?"
CA Jaggi (smiling gently):
"Rohan, that is a very common question - and my answer has always been the same. I often remind myself of a beautiful stanza from the Guru Granth Sahib. It says:
'If there are ten things in this world and God blesses a person with eight,that person usually forgets to thank the Almighty for the eight, and keeps complaining for the two that were not given.'
"Now imagine - what if even those eight blessings were not given? Then what would we complain about?"
He continued softly but firmly:
"Taking a cue from that divine wisdom, I always express my heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty for blessing me with two wonderful daughters - CA and Law Graduate Harpreet Kapoor, and BBA, LL.B., LL.M., UGC (NET) qualified Assistant Professor in a prestigious Law College, Kirti Bajaj. Both are intelligent, soft-spoken, and deeply obedient - true gifts of grace in my life.
I have never, even for a moment, complained to God for not blessing me with a son. In fact, I often tell my friends that perhaps God thought two daughters would keep me far more disciplined than one son ever could! I sincerely believe that if He chose not to give me a son, there must surely be some hidden good in that divine decision. Hence, the question of complaint simply does not arise - even if this question is put to me a hundred times.
Neha (smiling): "Sir, I think your daughters are very lucky - they have a father who thanks God twice a day and never once complains."
CA Raj Jaggi (smiling back): "Maybe! But honestly, I think I am the lucky one - because through my daughters, God has taught me the true meaning of love, patience, and inner strength.
In fact, I keep expressing my gratitude to the Almighty with astonishing regularity - at least four times a day in thought, and countless times in spirit. There are four special blessings I never forget to thank Him for:
(1) For enabling me to qualify as a Chartered Accountant despite extremely challenging financial and non-financial circumstances - and that too after already earning my Cost and Management Accountancy and Company Secretaryship qualifications. More than degrees, these became my steady passport to livelihood, dignity, and peace of mind.
(2) For blessing my elder daughter, CA Harpreet Kapoor, with the determination to qualify her CA examinations even after marriage - and further, for giving her a wonderful husband and an equally caring father-in-law, both of whom treat her dreams as their own.
(3) For blessing my younger daughter, Kirti Bajaj, with strength and perseverance to clear her UGC (NET) examinations during one of the most difficult phases of our lives - when my late wife was undergoing cancer treatment. And later, for her marriage into a humble, religious, and truly cooperative Bajaj family that values simplicity over show.
(4) And finally, for what I often call our 'family's miracle return' - the remarkable admission of my nephew, Naman Jaggi (son of my dearest brother, Manoj Jaggi), into the prestigious National Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar, Gujarat - something that was far beyond our expectations or efforts.
Sometimes, when I count these blessings, I jokingly tell my colleagues that if gratitude were taxable, I would be filing monthly returns instead of annual ones!"
Further, CA Raj Jaggi smiled thoughtfully, "You know, my gratitude toward the Almighty isn't limited to just prayers or thoughts - it's woven into my daily life. Whenever I'm at home, I make it a point to offer every eatable item - even a simple cup of tea or a biscuit - first to God in gratitude."
He continued warmly,
"It is my humble way of saying thank You for managing this vast universe so perfectly - for feeding not just us humans, but also the animals, birds, and even the tiny creatures who live beneath the earth. The Almighty truly runs the world's most efficient 'food distribution system' - one that never files for insolvency!"
The juniors laughed gently.
Raj went on with a serene smile,
"In our scriptures, God is described as the Swami of the Teen Loks - Akash Lok (sky), Prithvi Lok (earth), and Patal Lok (the world below the earth). And every time I see birds flying in the sky, cows grazing on the ground, or even ants carrying food crumbs bigger than themselves, I am reminded of His divine management skills - unmatched by any MBA or AI algorithm."
He chuckled softly.
"So, whether it's a cup of tea or a plate of dal, I offer it mentally to God first - because in reality, everything belongs to Him anyway. We are merely users of His infinite bounty - like tenants enjoying a rent-free property with the most generous landlord in the universe."
The juniors smiled, half amused and half moved by the depth of his faith.
Raj paused for a moment, his eyes soft with reverence.
"Whenever I think of gratitude, I don't restrict it only to temples or prayers. Gratitude, to me, is also remembering the people who made my world beautiful and meaningful."
He continued warmly,
"In my small home temple, along with the sculptures of various Gods, I have consciously placed two idols who have been my constant sources of inspiration - my beloved late wife Renu Jaggi, and the legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi Ji, who wrote the unforgettable songs of the movie Avtaar that we spoke about earlier."
He smiled gently, his tone blending love and humour.
"Every day, when I bow my head in prayer, I also pray that God blesses me with the perpetually cool, ever-loving, and endlessly caring nature of my wife - and with a small fraction of the creativity and sensitivity of Anand Bakshi Ji."
The juniors listened with quiet admiration as Raj continued,
"Anand Bakshi Ji wrote lyrics for more than 630 Hindi films, with an extraordinary strike rate of popularity. His words had the rare power to touch both the heart and the conscience - a gift very few possess. And to me, he is not just a lyricist, but a life teacher who expressed profound philosophy through simple lines."
CA Raj Jaggi chuckled softly, "So, you see, my home temple is like a perfect joint venture - one partner teaches me devotion and discipline, while the other teaches me expression and creativity. Between the two, I find my spiritual balance - love from Renu Ji and creative writing wisdom from Bakshi Ji."
The group smiled, touched and amused in equal measure.
The Walking Habit - Faith in Motion
"I walk on an average of 13,300 steps a day - roughly 10 kilometres. And thatis despite not moving much inside the office - because maintaining professional decorum does not allow me to stroll around like a field inspector!"
The team laughed.
Then his tone softened.
"Even when my dearest wife, Late Smt. Renu Jaggi, was admitted to the hospital during her cancer treatment in 2023 and 2024, I didn't stop walking. I used to walk in the hospital corridor- quietly, prayerfully. Those steps were not exercise; they were my prayers in motion."
He paused briefly, his voice gentle.
"Renu always believed that faith is not about words, but about discipline. I walk every morning with that belief in my heart."
A Small Confession - Sometimes 10-15 Minutes Late
CA Neha: "Sir, do you ever come late?"
CA Raj Jaggi (smiling): "Occasionally, yes - 10 or 15 minutes late. Usually when I stop by the bank."
CA Amit: "Sir, you go to the bank personally? You could easily send someone."
CA Raj Jaggi:
"I could - but I prefer to do my work myself. I believe in being self-reliant. I've been handling banking for my whole family - my late wife and my two daughters. It gives me confidence and keeps my dependence on others minimal."
He chuckled.
"Delegating is easy, but doing things yourself gives a satisfaction no one else can deposit for you."
Ironing, Shoes, and the Legacy of Love
CA Raj Jaggi smiled softly.
"Even today, though I am 63 years of age, I iron my own clothes - every single day. I could easily get it done from the market, but there is emotion behind it. My late wife Renu used to iron clothes for the entire family, even when she was very unwell. She never stopped. That quiet dedication taught me something profound - that love is shown not by words but by small, consistent acts."
"So now, I iron my clothes myself with devotion - as a way of paying tribute to her."
He continued warmly, "And for more than fifty years, I have polished the shoes and sandals of my entire family. I have never gone to office with unpolished shoes - not once! It is my small ritual of self-respect and gratitude toward my work."
CA Amit (smiling): "Sir, even your shoes have better attendance than us!"
CA Raj Jaggi (laughing): "At least something in the office should always shine!"
The Creative Hour
"After my walk and a bath around 6:30 a.m., I spend an hour - from 6:50 a.m. to 8.10 a.m. - writing motivational articles or updating my GST knowledge. Sometimes a new idea strikes me during my walk - I note it down on my phone once I return from the garden after morning walk and yoga."
CA Amit: "Sir, that's the time we usually start negotiating with our alarm clocks."
CA Raj Jaggi: "And that is why your alarms win every day!"
The Habit Time Rewards - Rarely Taking Leaves
Neha: "Sir, you never seem to take leave!"
CA Raj Jaggi:
"I rarely do. In my entire career of over four decades, I have taken very few - even during my daughters' weddings. It's not about obsession; it's about passion for my work."
He added playfully,
"Meanwhile, some of you apply for leave more often than clients apply for GST amnesty!"
Then, sincerely:
"My inspiration comes from two icons I deeply admire - Shri Amitabh Bachchan and our Honourable Prime Minister. Both are living examples of tireless dedication. If they can give their best every day, what excuse do we have?"
Fast-Food Fitness & Financial Follies
CA Raj Jaggi turned to his juniors with mock seriousness.
"You want fitness but love fast food. You want six-packs, but carry them in cola bottles. You want health, but avoid footsteps!"
Everyone laughed.
"Fitness does not come through apps - it comes from early mornings and self-control. And remember, cheat days should not outnumber workdays!"
He chuckled, "You also want good savings, but half your salary evaporates in cafés and weekend trips. You call it creating memories, but your bank calls it creating mysteries!"
The Sedentary Lifestyle Trap
CA Raj Jaggi smiled, "You sit all day, drive everywhere, and call pressing the lift button your cardio. If laziness were taxable, half the youth would fall in thenew 40% slab!"
The room roared with laughter.
The Fame Game
Neha: "Sir, we just want recognition in our field like you!"
CA Raj Jaggi: "That's wonderful - but remember, fame is not microwaved. It's slow-cooked. Everyone wants success, but very few want the discipline behind it."
He winked.
"In life, the only shortcut that actually works is Ctrl + S - Save your work! Everything else needs hard work. You see, the dictionary is the only place where Success comes before Work - and that's simply because the alphabet 'S' precedes 'W'.
But in real life, it's always the other way around - Work comes first, and Success follows… usually much later, and only after several updates and system reboots!
There's a famous and time-tested saying: 'It takes twenty years to earn an overnight success.' And between those twenty years and that one night lies something very unfashionable these days - consistent, dedicated, and persistent effort."
The Myth of Enjoyment
CA Raj Jaggi said gently, "You all keep saying, 'We want to enjoy life.' But enjoyment without purpose is like dessert without dinner - sweet but incomplete. Real happiness is sleeping peacefully after a meaningful day, not scrolling your phone till your thumb files for depreciation."
Old-School Wisdom
"When I started my career decades ago,CA Raj Jaggi said, "there was no Excel, no AI - only ledgers and patience. I used to reach clients' offices before the watchman. That's when I learnt:
'The one who starts early does not just save time - he creates it.'"
"Even later, during the period from July 2008 to April 2010, I was regularly visiting one of our major clients - India bulls - at their Gurugram office. For nearly two years, I travelled from my then residence in Karol Bagh to Gurugram by public transport, almost every weekday, Monday through Friday. And believe it or not, I often reached there even before their own office staff had clocked in!
This small but consistent habit left a strong and favourable impression on the client's officers - though some of them half-jokingly suspected that I must have been staying in the next building! But what really impressed them was not just punctuality - it was the message behind it: that respect for time is the first line item in any professional balance sheet."
The Audit of Time
"Time," CA Raj Jaggi said, "is the most honest auditor. It gives everyone 24 hours - no exemptions, no refunds. What you debit and credit to it decides your life's balance sheet."
"And remember - the hardest audit is self-audit."
Moral of the Story
You can't eat junk and expect fitness.You can't spend lavishly and expect savings.You can't skip effort and expect fame.
Discipline may feel tough, but regret tastes tougher.
Bow before the Almighty, respect time, cherish health, and love your work -because in the audit of life,those who balance time, effort, and gratitude never face a deficit of success.
Before I Sign Off…
"Many people ask me what the secret of my energy is - and I tell them, it is not caffeine, it's consistency! My day begins before sunrise and ends with gratitude. Somewhere in between, there's a little laughter, a lot of learning, and a quiet conversation with God.
If you really want to succeed, just remember one simple formula - wake up before your excuses, thank God before your breakfast, and work before your worries. The rest, as they say, will balance itself automatically - even without a reconciliation statement!"
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