Gerald D'Cunha

“T here is no free lunch in life,” I told  Varun*, this morning. He had come to attend the Tax class (Direct Tax). Varun’s parents, who are both doctors, are my friends. Some months ago, when Varun had decided to change his stream from Engineering to Commerce, I was approached to do two things: 1. To provide a solid foundation to Varun in important Commerce subjects like Accountancy, Costing and Taxation so that he would be able to take off smoothly. 2. To motivate him to be a self-starter and develop a winning attitude. I have had wonderful experience over last two-three months. Varun has been very receptive and has not disappointed me. However, as a young boy, Varun is no different from his peers… He loves to chill out with his friends, play competitive football and video games, watch movies and attend late-night parties… Move around with friends, both boys and girls… invite them over for lunch and sleep-overs… And, importantly, bully his kid brother,...

Two kinds of college students come to me to learn.  The first kind: They attend the regular college, which is not more than an hour or two! And, even if they attend religiously, it should not take more than half of their day. Then, they attend some classes, where another two hours or so would go. They have the day still left with them. They don’t work anywhere. Don’t’ earn. The other kind: Some, from this kind, attend a few lectures, maybe some early-morning or late- evening coaching classes… But, they work, full-time or part-time, and they earn. They support their families, fund  their own  education and that of their siblings, too. Others, from this kind, study through correspondence (Distant Education). So, they have the full day in hand. A couple of hours in the coaching classes, either early in the morning or late in the evening, and the rest of the time they spend working. They, too, support their families, fund their own educati...