Turning Point8230;

But when her son, Pawan, was born, her maternal instincts held her back from work. It was then that she started looking out for a play-school for her son. But she had some specific ideas about the facilities a school should offer 8211; she wanted, not a creche, but a place which would stimulate the minds of children, nurture them and bring out their latent talents.

Just when she thought that her search was proving futile, her husband suggested, 8220;Why don8217;t you start a school of your own?8221; The idea received encouraging support from her friends.

Fried with enthusiasm, Renu enrolled for a Montessori training course. A year later, armed with her degrees, she was ready to open a school. But it being Mumbai, space was hard to find and an agent duped her of a large sum of money. But Kulkarni sought political help, was allotted a room and playground space and started off with her classes. In due course she moved to a better location, purchased playground equipment for her school and using her investigative skills, even retrieved her stolen money.

In the following six years, Bubbles Choice Kindergarten and Club flourished. But she could not rest on her laurels. Since her husband8217;s business interests in Pune were increasing, she shifted to Pune last year. While she located the Bubbles Kindergarten School in Kalyani Nagar, she opened another centre at Grafikon Arcade as a summer workshop for kids.

As she gears up for another year of admissions, happy learning, teaching and playing with more youngsters, Renu is happy about her decision to change careers and the move to Pune. 8220;Being with children and bringing out their hidden talents gives me a great sense of satisfaction,8221; she says. Much more, one guesses, than conducting undercover investigations.