By: Arun Mundra

India has lost one of its most respected financial thinkers and community leaders with the passing of CA Rameshwar Lal Kabra, Founder and Chairman of R Kabra & Co. LLP. Widely known as R. L. Kabra, he shaped India’s taxation landscape for more than five decades through his work as a businessman, author, philanthropy advocate, and mentor. His leadership extended across professional and community platforms, including his tenure as Vice President of the Akhil Bharatvarshiya Maheshwari Mahasabha and as its former Arthmantri, and through his role as Chair for Taxation Advisory at the IIT Alumni Council. He also served as Director at ECOVIS RKCA, part of a global network operating in nearly ninety countries.

A prolific author and champion of emerging technologies, Mr. Kabra wrote extensively on digital audits and the future of automated accounting. He was equally devoted to charitable causes, contributing to numerous trusts and community institutions. Colleagues and young professionals often described him as a visionary who blended wealth creation with community stewardship, using his expertise to mobilize resources for national development and humanitarian work.

During his tenure with ABMM, he secured the crucial 80G tax rebate status for the organization’s relief fund, encouraging families nationwide to participate in structured giving. In the following session, he ensured the fund’s compliance with corporate social responsibility requirements, unlocking major contributions from large companies toward community projects. Global NRI Coordinator Arun Mundra called this a “strategic and visionary step” that strengthened the community’s role in nation-building.

His commitment to disaster relief was equally notable. During the devastating Uttarakhand floods in 2013, he coordinated the rapid opening of a central relief fund account through then ABMM President Ram Palji Soni, which expedited financial aid and rescue support. He also strengthened the global Maheshwari network by building connections in London, Indonesia, Singapore, Dubai, and the United States, collaborating with leaders including Dheeraj Rathi, Santosh Gandhi, Shyam Bajaj, Arvind Maheshwari, and others.

Tributes poured in from across the country. Prominent figures such as Anand Rathi, KK Maheshwari, philanthropist R. P. Soni, surgeon Dr. Muffi Lakdawala, and saint Batukji Bhai Vyas spoke at the solemn “Tiye kee Baithak” held at Y. B. Chavan Auditorium in Mumbai. Many joined the online prayer meeting as well, including Shyam Soni, Arun Bhangadiya, Arun Mundra, Pankaj Bhargava, Brijmohan Mundra, BM Rathi, and Parag Shah.

Professionally, Mr. Kabra remained ahead of his time. He built R Kabra & Co. LLP into a recognized name in taxation, assurance, compliance, and advisory services. His firm was among the earliest in India to adopt artificial intelligence–driven accounting systems and digital audit tools, reflecting his focus on future-ready financial practices. His passion for learning continued into his later years, culminating in his enrollment in a Ph.D. program after turning sixty-seven.

Yet those who knew him best remember his character more than his credentials. Mr. Kabra’s calm demeanor, clarity of thought, and unwavering ethics left a lasting impression on colleagues and clients. He never compromised his principles, even when faced with professional loss. Hundreds of Chartered Accountants who trained under him now serve in distinguished positions in India and abroad, carrying forward his values and discipline.

A compassionate mentor, generous advisor, and moral guide, he contributed tirelessly to community publications, charitable initiatives, and organizational development. His life stands as a remarkable example of service, integrity, and vision.

R. L. Kabra leaves behind a legacy that will continue to guide future generations. His work touched countless lives, strengthened institutions, and inspired a culture of ethical leadership. The community, the nation, and all who learned from him will remember him as a true karmayogi whose contributions will endure for decades to come.