Bombayccino! – PANORAMAA

December 31, 2021

2022: A Prayer

Dear Almighty,

It’s the same me, yet another year.

It’s the same book, yet another chapter.

It’s the same life, yet another possibility.

Oh Lord,

Let this year be blessed.

Let this chapter be beautiful.

Let this possibility be bright.

Ya Rab,

Guide me to be, the peace and kindness, that I wish to receive.

Amen.

– Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

October 12, 2021October 13, 2021

Back to School…

Nice
Weird
Normal
Different
Nostalgic
Confused
Thinking
Okish
Excited
Good

…Some words, some emotions as expressed by the ninth grade students when asked how do you feel being back to school after a hiatus of about 1 year 8 months from the physical school.

In Mumbai, some schools have reopened for the senior grades.

And how did I feel teaching in a physical classroom today? Wonderful! Truly Grateful.

Today, until I entered the school, I was anxious. I had joined the school during the lockdown, barely met anyone in the school physically. Every meeting, right from interview to teaching and conducting exams was arranged through an online mode. Meetings were always smooth as the processes were set with excellent administration by the school management team.

But the minute I was in the school, it was a very different feeling. A good feeling. Teaching in a classroom set up is, well, unique. Online sessions were great, but I noticed increased student interactions today. I found them happy. And that’s the aim, especially for a subject like Mass Media and Communication—interactive and happy sessions which are more of knowledge exchange classes rather than just adhering to the chapters as in the books.

For now, the school follows a hybrid model, where 50 percent of the class will attend physically and 50 percent online so as to maintain the social distancing norms. The willingness of the student to be in school is on a parent/guardian consent basis. Each classroom is equipped with the IT requirements that enable hybrid model. Strict precautions are taken to ensure safety of each and every attending student and staff members.

With a mask on, talking isn’t easy. But then anything good is never very easy. From physical to virtual to a hybrid of both physical and virtual…so yes, while adapting to the new normal, here I am all set to guide and mentor ICSE grade 9 and 10^th students for their upcoming exams.

I wish all the students appearing for the upcoming board exams, Good Luck!

Until next, Take Care, Stay Safe!

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

May 14, 2020May 13, 2024

Lockdown Countdown: Entertainment

So here is how I kept myself engaged, rather than entertained, in the past few weeks.

Mind Your Language

It is an old series but the best comedy sitcom (British) I know of. Every character is unique, extremely natural and way too humorous. The series is based on beautifully scripted hilarious interactions between the English Teacher, Mr. Brown, his foreign students and the staff. I first remember watching this series as a kid on Qatar TV English Channel in the 1980’s I think (childhood memories). Then there used to be only two channels (English and National, i.e., Arabic). Cable TV wasn’t introduced. Mind Your Language used to be everyone’s favourite as it connected with all those who wanted to speak English but were not fluent in the language. English is a language that bonds people around the world, however, then in the 1980’s everyone did not master the English language as most of the Baby Boomer Gen and Gen X population were educated in their respective national/regional language, and hence weren’t fluent in English. This series connected with everyone then—those who desired to communicate in English and those who were faced with the challenge of understanding fractured English phrases.

Image Source:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC76TkmFXxGftVpM4CZ_6AuQ

https://www.facebook.com/mindyourlanguageofficial/

Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime

Movies, now, that’s a huge list. I generally don’t watch series but one that ignited my interest was Absentia on Amazon Prime.

YouTube Channels

The Ellen Show: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheEllenShow

Jimmy Kimmel Live: https://www.youtube.com/user/JimmyKimmelLive

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: https://www.youtube.com/user/latenight

One World: Together at Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9BUA5PpfLU

iForIndia: https://www.facebook.com/donate/878714602647054/

And many other channels on Medicine, Interior Decoration, DIY Arts and Crafts, Fashion and Easy Cooking Recipes. Medicine related topics I will cover in another post.

Until next, Take Care!

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

February 10, 2020May 13, 2024

Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2020

Yes, No, Yes, No, and finally I made it to the Kala Ghoda Art Festival (#KGAF2020) the country’s largest multicultural festival, a nine day fest, on the last day, 9^th February 2020. It was a Sunday and it was crowded. So this time, I could not click the best of best pictures of the art work, installations, stalls, etc.

Some interesting brand visibility activities comprised of the Foot Massage by Trained Students from the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind, Pearl Academy Photo Op Installation and the Monster Activity at the Jaslok Hospital’s stall to raise awareness on diseases like Cancer.

Besides these, a few things that caught my eye where captured by my camera…

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

October 27, 2019

Happy Diwali!

AshuBlogs_Panoramaa_HappyDiwali2019

March 8, 2019March 27, 2019

Women’s Day…

My day began with silencing the alarm vibration on my mobile phone, only to notice many good wishes, some motivational quotes, a few creatives–all wishing Happy Women’s Day.

A good start of the day.

Next, had a meeting. Went well.

Next, thought of carrying something for my colleagues; was wondering what, and there I saw a Mad Over Donuts (MOD) outlet. Ordered donuts, followed by the unexpected at the billing counter. The person asked me for identity proof, and I was thinking, “Since when did retail stores started asking for identity proof!” It took me by surprise, but on asking why, the reason stated made my day. It was to check my birth date as I get discount equal to my age.

Felt good to be old today! 🙂 😉

My next question was, “What if the customer is 75 years old lady?” It seems age limit for discount is 50, with conditions apply. But 50% discount too isn’t bad!

No, no…I am yet to be 50…long way to go, however, I liked the marketing initiative.

Well, donuts were great. They always are.

So far, the day has been good.

Have a great day ladies. And if you happen to come across an MOD outlet, I think it’s worth your time visiting today. 😉