- ASG Shri N Venkataraman and the leading names from taxation and policy making hail book as ‘tax ocean plenty to be explored’.
New Delhi, 6th October, 2025: TIOL Foundation today launched a book titled ‘The COB (web) Turns Twenty’ written by Journalist and Author Dr. Shailendra Kumar. The book is published by Oak Bridge. With 10 thought-provoking chapters, the book weaves together riveting tales of global taxation happenings of the past, draws important lessons and presents ‘food for thought’ for taxation experts and policy makers to make life of taxpayers easy.
Speaking at the launch of the book, Shri N. Venkataraman, Additional Solicitor General, who has also written forward, congratulated author for bringing out the book and said, “The cause he seems to vindicate would dominate and hook us to become his regular and habitual reader.”
On the occasion, Shri M. K. Sinha, CEO, GST Network said, “Taxation is a dull, rough, monotonous and boring subject. Dr Shailendra’s ability lies in making it interesting by connecting with everyday stories of common man’s life with a lot of humour. He writes in such a way that I have not been able to resist the temptation of reading. He has the intellectual freedom and editorial freedom with which you can do justice to a topic like this. More importantly, this book is a chronicle of history of evolution of taxes in India.”
Calling the book “Sixty writings thoughtfully arranged into ten chapters”, Smt. Renu Narvekar, Managing Director Tax – India & South Asia Markets, Standard Chartered Bank said, “As taxation now confronts new frontiers-digital economies, transparency frameworks, and global cooperation – this volume stands as both a testament to the past and a guide to reflection for the future. It honours author’s discipline, insight, and unwavering commitment to documenting the tax world’s journey.”
While making a strong case for 10% incremental economic growth over the next 10-years, an acclaimed Economic Thinker Shri Shailesh Haribhakti called the book “one more example of Dr. Shailendra’s passion in print”, and added, “This book has encapsulated the global taxation events in such a way that none of us is left behind. When 16 intaxicating tales are told, a lot of lessons are to be learnt.”
The book, though its 10 chapters, narrates the zigzag path of both India’s and global fiscal reforms in the form of a story-telling format. Along with 12 highly readable stories, each chapter of the book carries a ‘golden thread’ running through it for consistency with its theme. With chapters titles like ‘Binge-worthy Fiscal Tales’, the book connects instantly with the audience and covers topics like ‘Robo Tax’, ‘Graduate Tax’, shadow of taxes over digital economy, black money, tax heavens, GST, discriminatory OECD solutions for Global South, realpolitik of taxing MNCs, comparison between Indian IRS and American IRS and the perpetual issue of tax litigation beyond mitigation.
The author of the book Dr. Shailendra Kumar is the Founder Editor & CEO of India’s 1st online taxation, trade & economic news and views portal – www.taxindiaonline.com (popularly known as TIOL). He is also the Trustee of TIOL National Taxation Awards & the Chairman of TIOL Knowledge Foundation – a forum to groom global economic and fiscal thought leadership. He also writes a widely popular weekly column – ‘The Cob (Web) publishing every Thursday and has been running since 2006 without a pause! Dr Kumar is one of the three recipients of the World Customers Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit for his contribution to the world of customs. He was awarded an honoris causa Doctorate degree in Public Policy, Public Finance & Taxation by the prestigious French University ‘Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon’ and the ‘Bharat Samman’ for his contribution to Public Policy.
