One for Kaveri. The pavement (sidewalk) is smooth enough for skating unlike in Mysore.
My favourite shop for discounted clothes, shoes lots of things. Pizza that evening I spent more in twenty minutes in the supermarket than in over two months at our local veg and fruit shop. I used to take Cadburys roses chocolates back to MAnjula who would share them out to friends and their children. The cheaper bigger tins will not be available until December so there’s none to buy for Kaveri’s school. What a shame. The cat welcomes me with a hiss.
Later that day, outside Poppy’s flat
The three police cars with flashing lights have circled a woman pedestrian who’s lying on the road, injured after an accident with a two wheeler. Three police are directing the traffic, one is interviewing the two wheeler rider and two more are giving First Aid to the injured woman.
It’s all calm.
Everyone did as asked and all went smoothly.
I didn’t take photos of the immediate situation or hang around, out of respect.
Occasional photos to show what it’s like in England.
Step one London.
Aerial view as I arrive. There’s lots of well known places in the photo. Including the river Thames and Tower Bridge.
Ben, Alice and Poppy live in north London
The roads are busy
A cycle lane separated from the other traffic by a simple white line. It works as the motorised vehicles stick to their lane
First impressions on arriving on Thursday. Manjula realised how diverse London is on her first visit. The local shop near our friend Gina and Angus’s house was run by Punjabs
Hire cycles are everywhere.
Here on Haringay Green lanes it’s residents include people from Poland, Turkey and Asia, including India.
The Post Office is an ordinary shop And it’s busy just like in IndiaSome new drivers add these signs on their car to show other they’ve inly recently passed their test. Available in the post office. The equivalent of 300 rupees for a plastic rule! It’s not cheap in England.
Forty young visually impaired women took to the streets of Mysore in celebration of the life of Manjula on her 49th birth anniversary.
On Manjula’s Fun Day, sighted guides acted as ‘pilots’ steering and pedalling a tandem (cycle made for two) with the visually impaired young women acting as ‘stokers’ pedalling behind, enjoying the wind in their faces, the passing sounds and the sense of movement, like flying.
It was the highlight of the day of activities, that included games, music, storytelling, singing, food, drinks, cakes and cookies.
Tushar of MyCycle Tours said: “We could tell from their oohs and aahs that the young women, without sight, were having great fun. It reminded me of when I first rode a bicycle – they felt a great sense of freedom.”
Yamunavva said: “I was scared in the beginning, but the fear left. I felt very happy.” Gowri added: “The cycling experience was so good and I felt so happy that I asked for another ride.”
It wasn’t just the young women who benefited from the fun-filled day. “I began to understand the strength and courage that these young women need to be able to face life’s challenges,” said Meghana from Manjula’s Mysore “They taught us the value of a positive can-do attitude.”
Stephen, Manjula’s husband added: “That was just like Manjula. Together we remembered and celebrated Manjula’s life, her strength and kindness. With her radiant presence and infectious smile, like the sun, she magically brought life and warmth to all she met.”
“What a day. We all left feeling that warmth,” said Sarvesh who organised the day on behalf of Manjula’s Mysore.
The day demonstrated how organisations can come together to make a difference. Businesses such as SAPA, Aroma and Mysore Bed and Breakfast providing the cookies, cakes and meals as responsible businesses. Local community and art organisations of Mysore Storyteller’s Network, Vishnu Sharma Company, Divya Jyothi Charitable Trust, Faizan Baksh and MyCycle Tours gave their services.
Manjula and Stephen were partners for nine years after setting up their business, fell in love and got married. Unlike these young women, Manjula could see but she had difficult times throughout her life. She had to believe in herself and seize opportunities to create the life she wanted. She shared her home and is now known throughout the world for welcoming international tourists to Mysore until her untimely death three years ago.
What shall we do next to do good in Manjula’s Memory, in the year she would have been fifty?
Next in August 2023 will be artists providing a day of creativity for 100 school children.
Guests are helping fund and making suggestions making contributions for future activities, for Manjula’s Mysore.
…… would thread the garlands since a child to supplement any income.
…… Loved the jasmine growing on our roof and in the drive.
But she saved a special place in her heart for what’s locally called Brahma Kamla but strictly speaking it’s ‘queen of the night’.
She’d excitedly spot the new buds coming through and accurately predict which night it would blossom.
On that night we’d open the back door and be hit by the overpowering aroma. It would be gone by morning
After she died, four years ago, the flowers didn’t appear until this year. Sowbaghya spotted a bud. It’ll flower as we approach what would have been her 50th birthday.
The flower is now featured on a tattoo on my shoulder and in a portrait of Manjula in our upstairs hall (lounge).
Me and MYCycle 