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PRATAP BHOGILAL - JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE
From Tokyo, we took a trans Siberian flight to Moscow. We had started some business with Russia. In Moscow, the hotel accommodation was not so very First Class and it was difficult for food since not many vegetables were available.
From there we went to St. Petersburg which was much better. There the Museum was wonderful and so also the Czar's Palace.
From there to Poland, Warsaw and then to Germany to meet Hegenscheidt and then Prague and then to London. It was a rather long trip.
I believe it was in 1974, on our way to Europe we had to stop over in Tehran, Iran. It was at the invitation of Indru Advani and Giselle who had been stationed there as Alsthom representative. We had a very interesting visit and found Iran to be quite modern and lively. Indru took us to a couple of places in Iran and I remember our visiting the city famous for its almonds.
Later there were routine visits to Europe in 1974, in 1976 to Europe and USA, 1978, 1980 to Japan, 1982 to Europe and USA, 1984 to Europe and USA.
1986 - I have already mentioned about the IMC delegation to Korea, China and Japan. From Japan, Bhagwati and I flew to USA.
1988 - I have already mentioned about the trip to USA for Bhagwati's knee joint replacement.
Later on my visits became less frequent.
1992-We again went to Europe and USA. Unfortunately because of Batliboi's other pre-occupations some of our agencies were not being properly attended and lost many of these agencies. One of them was Schoeller Bleckmann's steel business. Mr. Unni was the Head of this business for this agency. This agency was lost by Batliboi because our top level executives were not visiting our foreign principals frequently, as I used to do. I visited Vienna for this purpose to revive our contacts, but it was too late. Moreover,
Calamity is the test of integrity - Samuel Richardson
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