Words at their fingertips

Relating its history, Chandrashekhar Hardikar, head of the clan today, says, 8220;This institute was previously started in Kirloskar theatre, now popularly known as Vasant Talkies. The only institute of its kind in Pune, it was owned by the Khandekar family. My father, Digambar Hardikar, who was working in Kores as a salesman then, was first a student and later a part-time instructor at the institute. He was a sincere and dedicated worker and since the Khandekars had no heirs, the institute was handed over to him.8221;

Around 1920, the institute, which was called the New Shorthand Typing Institute, was rechristened the Hardikar Institute, 8220;with Khandekar8217;s permission.8221; In 1935, the institute opened its branch on F C Road, on rented premises, and the land is still under lease. In the intervening period, the reputation of the institute has grown considerably. 8220;You see, the ladies those days did not like to travel too far, so the new location was very popular with the womenfolk, besides attracting students from the colleges nearby. It even became a meeting point for youngsters, including young couples,8221; says the senior Hardikar with a smile. He remembers that FTII students, Subhash Ghai and Shatrughan Sinha, used to study typing as time-pass there. 8220;Their real aim was something else,8221; he laughs. But former CM Sharad Pawar who was studying at the nearby BMCC was a dedicated student, he says.

Chandrashekhar Hardikar himself learnt typing and shorthand at a young age, but had not thought of taking part in the family business. He had barely completed his SSC, when the Panshet floods in 1961 put a stop to further studies, with the family business running into rough weather. The onus fell on his shoulders and he regrets losing out on his education. 8220;That is why I insisted my sons and daughter not miss out on higher studies. Today, I feel satisfied that they are all post-graduates in their respective professions. But mind you, all of them know typing and shorthand,8221; he narrates.

1977 was a red-letter year for the Hardikars. They opened a second branch on Karve Road with the senior Hardikar8217;s brothers, Ashok and Pramod, looking after it, which continues to flourish well today; and engaged themselves in real estate development. Till today, both ventures reap good dividends for the family.

One wonders if the invasion of the computer into all official operations has reduced the influx of students. 8220;Typing is the basic knowledge for computer applications,8221; says Prashant, Chandrashekhar Hardikar8217;s son. As a result, the classes of 45 minutes each run full, starting at 7.15 am and ending at 8 pm. Typing and shorthand are skills which take six months to a year to acquire. 8220;A personal secretary is an important person in the top management cadre. So typing is an essential prerequisite. There is tremendous scope for typing and shorthand. It is a full-time career for students who do not opt for higher education,8221; he points out. Since typing and shorthand examinations have to be cleared to get government posts, the classes find no dearth of students 8211; 300 for typing and 100 for shorthand. They are taught how to type every important document, from simple letters to complicated balance sheets.

Since key awareness is essential in today8217;s computer-driven age, it provides an added qualification on the bio-data. 8220;We are aware of the importance of the computer and plan to diversify in this field soon. Our computer division will come up next year, though we will keep typing and shorthand our first priority,8221; explains Prashant.