Today’s messenger rest on a branch of the tree across from my balcony, repeatedly flies away and returns. Sometimes it’s still, at others its chuntering or maybe chewing.
The dragonfly arrives as I’m writing about how we first met to be submitted for a literary competition. I’m happy that this messenger is a reminder that she’s still with me and loves me. It’s taken up residence on the branch. Lucie’s walk will have to wait.
The dragonfly leaves to be replaced by a butterfly flying to me on the balcony.
A few weeks ago, I complained to Manjula that I’d not heard from her. Within days a dragonfly maybe ten times bigger flew into the downstairs hall, circled me three times and landed on Manjula’s pennant.
Butterflies have often visited, since my appeal. They also feature on a banner that Jacquie is creating in the U.K.
Confident with all sorts of people and good at building relationships?
Experience of social media?
Can bring the woman’s perspective?
Able to challenge and change?
Willing to learn?
This role is open to women, of any age residing in or near Mysore. The successful candidate will be familiar with computers, using social media, writing content and confident with people from different backgrounds with an open attitude and interest in meeting new challenges.
..
Based in Mysore this is an opportunity to work with and assist Stephen. He’s a YIndian, Yorkshire (it’s in England) by birth and Indian by marriage. Together with Manjula, he set up Mysore Bed and Breakfast and MYCycle tours.
Over the next year, he needs help in researching for a book to share their story, publishing and promoting it (mailing list, mailouts, online presence) and other things that will arise depending upon the interests and ability of the person.
This might include: interviewing people and transcribing, researching a locality, writing for the internet, creating an online community linked with Mysore Bed and Breakfast, assisting with other aspects of the business such as the Homestay and cycle tours.
What do you gain?
Recognition of your abilities and experience, learn new things.
It depends on you.
Stephen has a range of experiences and his approach is to learn from each other.
Expenses are covered.
Further details to be negotiated and agreed.
Please note: Manjula is unfortunately no longer physically with us but is, in spirit. The business will continue in her memory but is likely to be closed for most of this year due to the pandemic. If you’re interested to discuss and find out more:
there’s also presence on Instagram, twitter (meandmycycle) and Trip Advisor (mysore bed and breakfast and mycycle).
Manjula and Stephen
Spot the mistakes in this posting and you’ll begin to see how and why he needs help.
If you re interested, here’s more detailed information.
For this to be successful, we share equal responsibility to determine if you have the skills and aptitude, that it’s an appropriate and suitable placement and determine whether we can work together. It’s essential to be absolutely honest and realistic.
Here’s a few ideas of what is required to help you decide if it’s a suitable opportunity for you. Some of it will require you to be present in Mysore
Create an action plan.
A simple initial project: interview a local maid in Kannada, write up the interview, create post in English, link to other postings about maids in India.
Visit our two web sites, Instagram and Twitter, provide a report analysing them, what works, what doesn’t and what you would do to improve their impact and following.
Role, together with Stephen, might include some or all of the following, subject to negotiation and agreement:
create summary pages highlighting current ‘top’ blog posts, these might in due course become newsletters to mail out: Manjula, life in India, Tips for Tourists: first timers, old hands, Maid in India, Why India is like is it like this
target audience
create e-mailing list from gmail account
set up form for site visitors to join the mailing list
grow the followers: twitter, facebook, instagram, web sites
suggest ways to promote offline
e mail : target audience 3/4 times over the year
interviews: friends, family
promote book
investigate how to self publish: Ebook, POD
What questions do you have? What do you need to know to help you decide if its something you will enjoy, suits your skills and you will learn from?
How will you be able to bring the woman perspective in you’re not a woman?
Can you base yourself in Mysore if you don’t already live here?
What do you want to get out of an internship?
Feel free to contact me with any of your questions.
When I’m 64, birthday present from Rakesh, one of my sons, Why else does he call me dad? When visiting Oliver in Vancouver, he roped me in to promoting the film day, enticing innocents to watch short films on IPad in one of those metal streamlined caravans. We had a young guest who works in a nuclear power station in the U.K. (it’s a dumb place, offshore of Europe) who had never heard this rallying cry from our demos in the 70’s Over eight years I set up MyCycle tours with friend Vinay who also persuaded me to lead tours for Royal Mysore Walks. Tesco’s original lifetime bag and most other supermarket bags were manufactured by this company in Tamil Nadu before the imperialist China takeover. India with a cow at the centre. Let’s not talk politics or challenge totalitarianism. A participant of one of my corporate responsibility workshops in London lead a legal firms attempts to connect with the community. This child’s bag design won one of their competitions.
Me and MYCycle 