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Showing posts from February, 2011

Agrawal Classes - an iconic educational brand

In every one's life there lay a turning point that changes the course of one's life journey. My life had many such moments but first such event that set others to follow was an 'Admission to Agrawal classes' at Harganga Mahal at Dadar TT . Those days admission to Agrawal classes was more important and prestigious than securing an entry to university affiliated college. They would announce qualifying bench mark for admission. You fill up the form, pay the fees and get enrolled. What was that magic formula that made Agrawal classes so successful? I can think of few. They never taught fundamentals of any subject nor did they make any attempt to let student assimilate the purity of a subject. Instead they went on solving questions. The basics were automatically unfolded during the solution that was explained step by step. The objective was simple : Get good grades than burn your energy on overall knowledge. They had mastered the weaknesses of examination paper setter

Shivjayanti and Golf

What time Shivaji Maharaj was born ? I asked my car driver who warned us about facing road traffic due to Shivajayanti celebrations. We still went ahead from Oxford Club to MG road in search of golf kit. We didn't encounter any wild celebrations but did see statures being garlanded or decorated. Akshta is familiar with Shivaji calling him 'fighter man'. MBIS had holiday y'day . Wonder if they did so as Shivjayanti came on Saturday. We are getting familiar with environs of Oxford club and hopefully we would acquire enough skills to have a consistant wild swing to see the ball take long aerial route. Now it's all random hits. We bought Wilson golf kit and in the shop had chat with riped Sardar who was passionate about golf and its benefits. Another young kid of 8 year old came and asked for Golf kit. Akshta got her club with set of plastic balls. Now she needs green turf to practise in the garden. Tomorrow at Bohemian restaurant there is a promotion on wine w

Back in Pune

Two disturbing news stir my early morning in Pune . First, Steve Jobs reportedly heading towards terminal stage and second Bahrain defense clamping the protester in the city. Being next door to the country and being S unni regime, S audi shall use all their might to crush Bahrain protesters. Iran across the gulf with S hia population will do everything to support Bahrain Shiya majority population. Bahrain can be flash point for middle east turmoil and USA would have tricky situation. Support democratic movement or regime that's been supportive to USA. I saw Femina issue and was impressed by the quality of contents, print and photography. Rs 50 per issue indicate their robust ad revenue and subscriber base. One of the 75 reasons for being happy in marriage is "couples sleeping separate". Old people who have married long time, sleep separately. They are secured in their relationship and undisturbed sleep is vital for their longevity. Japanese by culture use separate beds

Tokyo to Narita via Wara Wara Izakaya

Ordering food over i pad connected by wi fi is a new novelty that I saw in Japanese restaurant. Screen is almost like an ebay or amazon with items listed with price and photo. Staff is limited to ferrying dishes. There is an SOS button that can ask for assistance. However , one is not sure if an order is recieved and how soon it would be ready. Perhaps next version shall have this in future. Food was good at Izakaya near Tokyo station . E damame ,Sushi, Yakitori was delicious at Wara Wara 藁藁 (わらわら) Izakaya . David Beckam look a like dad tending his daughter - coloured african - was a cute sight at Crown Plaza at Narita . She was of same age as that of Akshta and equally energetic but once on b'fast table, she was well behaved letting her dad feed her. Wonder when Akshta would emulate her eating habits and manners !! Loss to Hilton Osaka was gain from Crown plaza at Narita . Item was Jacket hanger.

Japan in winter

Anupam Kher once commented about an incident that changed his behaviour as a acting professional. This happened at Chennai where he had gone for a movie shoot. He was sitting in a studio that was stuffy and warm in the Chennai s ultry Summer . Being used to privileged lifestyle accorded to movie actors , his tolerance level was low and so were his vagaries. He was in a foul mood of being subjected to such discomfort in the Chennai summer and heat . But soon he noticed Amitabh Bacchan sitting opposite him in attire of ‘ Shahenshah ”. He was wearing no less than 1o kg of heavy armaments but wihout any grimace of any complaint. He asked Amitabh how could he manage this. Amitabh just smiled and said this is part of the profession. I too was impressed by this incident narrated by Anupam Kher and have consistently tried my best not to get perturbed by external comforts as long as they are not result of a shoddy workmanship or poor attitude. I am flying over China somewhere close to