James Bond Speaks English

Pushing training programmes requires some reference point. And when it comes to learning to speak English, what better than James Bond? Learn to speak English like James Bond.

 

Speak English Like James Bond

There is even a “100% guarantee”. My only issue, James Bond has been played by many actors who were Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Australian and English. They all had different accents, styles and voices. In this poster, the photograph of Roger Moore is used.

So what does “speak English like James Bond” really constitute? What is it that I am getting a guarantee for? If something is not happening, what do I claim for in the guarantee?

Not clear at all.

Why is Kumble smiling in Dadar?

 

Anil Kumble Promoting MBA courses

In Dadar, Mumbai one fine morning I saw this – the smiling face of Anil Kumble with the logo of some university emblazoned on his blazer and all the other courses mentioned.

I could not get it. For a man of his stature to be used in a cloth banner to promote a local business management training programme – not good.

Madurai

The Hairy Bikers were in Madurai enjoying what they called a “packed lunch”. I had a couple of days of work in Madurai and as is wont mixed pleasure with work to make the most of the travel.

When approaching the Meenakshi Temple, one saw this

From Meenakshi Temple Madurai

 Note the film posters contrasting with the Chennai Khadi Vastralaya. 

The gopurams of the temple were covered, possibly to protect against the rain.

From Meenakshi Temple Madurai

 For more details, click on the Madurai page in my Travelogs

Developing Smart Children

Traffic sense in Mumbai has over the years become Traffic Nonsense – lane cutting, arbitrary parking, breaking signals, grid locks, the works. One major hazard has been talking on the mobile while driving. While it may be argued by self-proclaimed competent drivers that talking on the mobile has no relation to driving and is not a safety hazard, it is definitely an irritant. 

I have encountered, on the roads, drivers who are so engrossed in their conversation that they forget to signal, arbitrarily slow down and in many cases just stop where they are. By putting on their blinkers, they feel they have been considerate but hello, you want to stop, how about moving out of the way first. 

I saw this sign on a school bus and I hope the next generation takes it seriously.

 

Sign on a school bus

Roof Top Restaurant

I had a short trip to Rajasthan on work. The last day of the tour was in Udaipur where I got a few hours to roam around. When traversing the narrow lanes of the old city towards the City Palace, I came across a number of road signs and name plates promising “Roof Top Restaurant”

I think the issue is more ground rooted – the narrow lanes, crunched rooms, etc mean for the ambling tourist, a roof top restaurant is a space for stretching the legs out under the open sky.

Given the gora tourists penchant for a piece of sun, it seems a good business ploy. The question of course is where is the roof?

Roof top 1

Roof top 2

Ambling Tourist

If you have the money, of course, you can try the restaurant inside the Palace. Called Palki Khana (where the Palanquins used to be parked), it is run by the HRH Group of Hotels.

Palki Khana

View from the Palki Khana

I’ll be posting my Rajasthan pics shortly.