The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : IT professional replaces ‘muneem’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 08, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

IT professional replaces ‘muneem’

S. Harpal Singh

Gone are the days when humble
dhoti-clad ‘muneem’ maintained ‘bahi-khata’ books for small and big firms. Now it’s all computerised

Keeping a profession alive: Muttanna, one of the few ‘muneems’ left in Adilabad, making entries in the traditional ‘bahi-khata’ books at a shop.

ADILABAD: Computerisation has spelt doom for many traditional institutions like that of the ‘muneem’ or accountant who maintained the red cloth bound ‘bahi-khata’ or book of accounts in firms small and big. Otherwise, the ‘muneem’ and his artistically bound long ‘bahi-khata’ book used to be in focus at the time of ‘Deepavali’ when accounts for the year are settled customarily.

It is believed that the tradition of employing a ‘muneem’ for maintaining accounts in the shape of a ‘bahi-khata’ was introduced by enterprising Marwari businessmen. Many of the ‘muneems’ went on to become local legends for excelling in their work.

“The old dhoti-clad ‘muneem’ has given way to young computer professionals who maintains computerised accounts. There is hardly any paper work now. Moreover, accounts need to be maintained for the official financial year and not from ‘Deepavali to Deepavali’, points out Omprakash Agarwal of the Meghraj Omprakash business firm in Adilabad.

Honesty essential quality

The essential qualities of a ‘muneem’ were honesty and trustworthiness besides his expertise in accounting. Legends are woven around some of the ‘muneems’ on account of their trustworthiness.

People remember ‘muneems’ like Rekhchand in the employment of late Onkarmal Agarwal for their honesty. Others who made a name for themselves were late Bhagchand, Kashiram, Takhat Singh, et al.

The ‘bahi-khata’ book is bound in red cloth, the colour denoting prosperity. The stitching pattern on the binding is somewhat artistic. These account books having 365 pages each are made to order at few presses only with the Marwadi press, Hyderabad, and Chaganlal Ramgopal firm at Yavatmal in Maharashtra being famous for it. Each book costs about Rs. 300.

Red ‘Swastik’

Deepavali was the time when new ‘bahi-khata’ was opened after performing a puja. Now, a red ‘Swastik’ sign is drawn on the paper used in computers.

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