Memories: Bombay 1960s: Switching Careers?!!

  Memories: Bombay 1960s: Switching Careers?!!

In the early1960s, when  I went back home to Bombay from C.M.C., Ludhiana, for summer holidays I saw a Times of India ad for trainee journalists. After India's Independence the British owners of Times, Bennett Coleman, was bought over by India's Sahu Jain group. I sent in copies of stories, humor etc. I had published in newspapers and magazines, including the Times. As a reluctant medical student, that was the kind of work I was busy with while missing classes. They called me for an interview.

My interviewer, Samir Jain, said right away that I was selected. I told him I was actually in the third year of medical college and I had come in the hope I could get a regular column in the Times. He said he could not decide on that, but I could surely join as a trainee. There ended my twin career hopes!   

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Books by Drs Ms  Jagjit, John Daniel: Doctor At Home: EastWest Books: Family Health Fitness Tips. Dreams of One Country (Amazon Kindle Novel: e- and home-delivered print copies): A far-visioned woman's campaign unites youth to power India's talent-led ascent...to the shining developed nations!

 Click here to preview Dreams of One Country: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-One-Country-World-class-Modernization/dp/152098944X/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=dreams+of+one+country+jagjit&qid=1554134768&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull                                                                                      

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Memories: Bombay 1950s: Ex-Sighting Oxford University!

                                     Memories: Bombay 1950s: Ex-Sighting Oxford University!

  After finishing school from Antonio Da Silva, Dadar, Bombay, in 1953, I joined the science course at Wilson College near Chowpatty Beach. I had no interest in science studies. I joined only on my father's insistence. A common belief those days was that for any ordinary family to come up the children had to seek careers in medicine, engineering or law. My English professor at Wilson was John Lyle. He graded my first essay as excellent. He read the second and said, 'John, why are you here? You should major in English. You can then get a scholarship to Oxford. I'll introduce you to the British Council's head here, Mr Voden. He'll help you.' I met Mr Voden. And I told him why my father would not allow me to major in English. Then I gave him my handwritten novel and asked if he could help me to publish it  He read a page.or two. It was a Wodehouse-imitation novel - with English characters who arrive by steamship in Bombay. I had seen a steamer only from the docks. Nor had I any direct knowledge of what I described in the story. Mr Voden smiled: 'Sorry. You must write of what you really know...Or...a fairy tale!' 

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Books by Drs Ms  Jagjit, John Daniel: Doctor At Home: EastWest Books: Family Health Fitness Tips. Dreams of One Country (Amazon Kindle Novel: e- and home-delivered print copies): A far-visioned woman's campaign unites youth to power India's talent-led ascent...to the shining developed nations!

 Click here to preview Dreams of One Country: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-One-Country-World-class-Modernization/dp/152098944X/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=dreams+of+one+country+jagjit&qid=1554134768&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull                                                                                      

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Memories 1940s: Meeting Bollywood's Star Singer!

                                 Memories 1940s: Meeting Bollywood's Star Singer!

We lived on the 3rd floor of a 5-storey building on Dadar Main Road, Bombay. With three film studios Ranjit, Ranjit Movietone and Shree Sound close by - that was Bollywood then. Living with his family on a lower floor of the building was Mrinal, a youth who tailored clothes for people in the Hindi film industry. I think I was around nine when Mrinal invited me to watch the recording of a Hindi film song. I went with him to a recording studio in Dadar West, a few miles from home. I heard the great Rafi sing to the musical accompaniment conducted by the film's music director. After the recording was over Rafi stepped out of the recording room. Mrinal handed him a package of new garments and introduced me to him. The singing star shook my hand. And, of course, I was thrilled!
Rafi had great natural talent and an amazing range. A song in the film Baiju Bawra, I recall, virtually lifted the roof off the cinema hall.  

Books by Drs Ms  Jagjit, John Daniel: Doctor At Home: EastWest Books: Family Health Fitness Tips. Dreams of One Country (Amazon Kindle Novel: e- and home-delivered print copies): A far-visioned woman's campaign unites youth to power India's talent-led ascent...to the shining developed nations!

 Click here to preview Dreams of One Country: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-One-Country-World-class-Modernization/dp/152098944X/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=dreams+of+one+country+jagjit&qid=1554134768&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull                                                                               

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