Someone at the TNT Desk was looking for a driving instructor and asked for recommendations. “Bah Jo” came the prompt reply. From 50% of the Team, all of whom had learned how to drive from him.
Jonathan Dunai (or Bah Jo as everyone fondly refers to him as), founder of the Doone Driving School in Shillong has taught over 12,000 students how to drive. A staggering number really.
At a time when only the Don Bosco Technical School offered driving lessons, Jonathan dared to venture out on his own. After successfully teaching an aunt to drive in 2001, Jonathan put an ad in the local newspaper offering lessons to those interested. He quoted his mother’s phone number in the ad and she was flooded with over 100 calls a day.
His mother promptly gifted him a car and her blessings. Thus, the Doone Driving School was launched. With a Maruti 800 that had no dual controls like most training vehicles do!
Jonathan has taught people from all walks of life and of all ages (past the legal age, of course) though he fondly recalls Bah Lakiang, who he successfully taught to drive at the age of 73. His oldest student however was 82 years but unfortunately could not finish the course due to a hearing problem.
An advocate of manual transmission driving, Jonathan is a man you often see on the streets of Shillong. A typical day for him starts at 5:30 am and ends at 6:30 pm. A firm believer that simulators are not a substitute for actual driving, his method includes “must-do” driving lessons during peak traffic hours because “eventually it’s on the road and in a car that you must drive.”
His students describe him as punctual, patient and firm. Yes, he never fails to reiterate “point of engagement” firmly! He is known to be approachable and yet a stickler for discipline where rules of driving are concerned. No matter how early in the morning it maybe, or that there is no traffic or police on the streets, Jonathan won’t let you break rules.
He has been surprised time and again though and remembers this one incident when a female student decided to give chase to some men who had stared at her as they rode past, zipping the car at a speed far exceeding one a leaner should drive at. For times like these, it’s good that Jonathan keeps a firm head on his shoulders. No surprise that he has never been in any car accident thus far. Speaks volumes for anyone who inspires to drive. Not surprising that 60% of his students are therefore, women.
A lesson with Jonathan down the streets of Shillong includes him waving out at every fifth driver. “My student”, he needlessly explains. I guess he doesn’t realize that in a similar manner asking any fifth person in Shillong who you should go to for driving lessons gets the prompt answer “Bah Jo”.
Jonathan Dunai (or Bah Jo as everyone fondly refers to him as), founder of the Doone Driving School in Shillong has taught over 12,000 students how to drive. A staggering number really.
At a time when only the Don Bosco Technical School offered driving lessons, Jonathan dared to venture out on his own. After successfully teaching an aunt to drive in 2001, Jonathan put an ad in the local newspaper offering lessons to those interested. He quoted his mother’s phone number in the ad and she was flooded with over 100 calls a day.
His mother promptly gifted him a car and her blessings. Thus, the Doone Driving School was launched. With a Maruti 800 that had no dual controls like most training vehicles do!
Jonathan has taught people from all walks of life and of all ages (past the legal age, of course) though he fondly recalls Bah Lakiang, who he successfully taught to drive at the age of 73. His oldest student however was 82 years but unfortunately could not finish the course due to a hearing problem.
An advocate of manual transmission driving, Jonathan is a man you often see on the streets of Shillong. A typical day for him starts at 5:30 am and ends at 6:30 pm. A firm believer that simulators are not a substitute for actual driving, his method includes “must-do” driving lessons during peak traffic hours because “eventually it’s on the road and in a car that you must drive.”
His students describe him as punctual, patient and firm. Yes, he never fails to reiterate “point of engagement” firmly! He is known to be approachable and yet a stickler for discipline where rules of driving are concerned. No matter how early in the morning it maybe, or that there is no traffic or police on the streets, Jonathan won’t let you break rules.
He has been surprised time and again though and remembers this one incident when a female student decided to give chase to some men who had stared at her as they rode past, zipping the car at a speed far exceeding one a leaner should drive at. For times like these, it’s good that Jonathan keeps a firm head on his shoulders. No surprise that he has never been in any car accident thus far. Speaks volumes for anyone who inspires to drive. Not surprising that 60% of his students are therefore, women.
A lesson with Jonathan down the streets of Shillong includes him waving out at every fifth driver. “My student”, he needlessly explains. I guess he doesn’t realize that in a similar manner asking any fifth person in Shillong who you should go to for driving lessons gets the prompt answer “Bah Jo”.
