It was started 50 years ago as a centre that offered affordable vocational courses for students. Now, celebrating their golden jubilee, Radio Bhuvan is set to re-define the concept pf career courses. It was in 1954 when Mr. Shyam Motwani set up the institute. "Initially, I set up non-technical centres, only later did we diversify into the various courses we now offer:"

Presently, Mr. Motwani along with his son Subhash manage the four centres in the city - Colaba, VT, Mahim and Vile Parle. "We offer no franchises," said Subhash. The reason why we haven't opened more places, is because often the more numbers you have, you end up offering low quality education. 

My father and I like to be involved with the teaching and the running of the institute. In a franchise, you tend to lose some of the quality that you started out with." To ensure that students get individual attention, there are just 15 students in each batch. "It's always easier to learn and teach in small groups. What is important is practical skills. For us the end utility of a course is what counts. If we can provide that to the students then our purpose is fulfilled.

Since the institute began over 2 lakh students have done courses. Subhash incidentally, is the only lATA qualified teacher who has done 20 lATA degree (including one in Dangerous Goods regulations) .in various) aspects of the airline industry apart from teaching the travel and tourism courses, he also
takes language course at the institute. "There's Spanish, French, Italian, German and Japanese. Usually people from the travel industry and students sign up for language courses," he said. 

Like all institutes, there are peak months here too. Mr. Motwani continued, "From April to August students sign up, these are the vacation months. The rest of the year there are students but the -numbers are far less." There is also the Schnell Hans School of Beauty, which has been started by the other two in the family- Mr. Motwani's wife Romila and daughter Sunita. It was, started 35 years ago and it offers a variety of beauty courses with 100 per cent hands-on training. Over 1,000 students have been trained at the three ultramodern salons cum schools in three locations, Mahim, Napean, Sea Road and Colaba. 

The duration of the courses vary depending on what one chooses. Likewise the cost varies as well. While 50 years may seem a long time, the .Motwanis' are gearing up for a celebration which includes getting some of the alumnis together as well a introducing new courses and new centres as well.