… about my purpose.
It was pretty clear this weekend.
I’ve adopted an extra grand daughter and this was our first weekend together since my return from holiday
Thank you Kaveri.
You are IT
If there ever was any doubt…
Category: Kaveri
Confined
She’s sort of confined for a couple of weeks. Seemed in high spirits even though she’s only had the four walls for a week and there’s another ten days to go.
It’s a one in a lifetime experience but I use the term confined as it can refer to a jail/gaol or period after a birth. Only yesterday I was referring to how the invention of the printing press had helped release us from the diktats of the priests, at least in Europe.
More later.
On ‘coming of age’
Today, bowling.
Creating Stones
It’s the last few days before the summer school holiday ends.
There’s time to fit in one more activity
Our new good friend Pravalika introduced Kaveri to the art of stone carving
We’re at one of the most famous stone-carvers in India and it’s in Mysore.
It’s surprisingly delicate and quite fast.
Pravalika is a patient teacher and patient carver, she wonderfully manages the double pressure.
Kaveri is, of course, also a star.
The elder, yes that’s me, managed an inch of carving before the women gave up in despair.
New spots? Maybe not.
The chief stone carver and therefore the workshop famously created the statue for the new Ayodya Temple last year.
Kaveri’s first stone carving is dedicated to MAnjula and will be installed at Mysore Bed and Breakfast.
About time too
My friends in the UK would laugh at this and declare ‘it’s about time too’.
I’m from the north you know and traditionally we are considered to have the wrong accent, miss letters out of our words and generally not be ‘up to scratch.’
Times have moved on now. We even have regional accents on the BBC .
But there might be some truth in that humour (as usual)
I’ve been helping Kaveri with her English while at the same time discovering it for myself.
🤭
I’m learning about grammar, the names and function of key words.
A helping hand
I led an unusual cycle tour today on Srirangapatnam.
Four teenagers, ok one isn’t yet but no one would know. Were invited to join me for a cycle tour ostensibly to better understand how to be a guide.
My objective which alines with my latest thinking on how we might better prepare young people to be more rounded and better active citizens as they mature.
I’d hoped that the day’s adventure would help improve their confidence, communication and assertiveness.
Big ask but a tiny step.
Coincidentally Kaveri asked me why a horse had blinkers. I lost no opportunity to use the analogy in how it’s important for them to get a wider view.
I delivered the standard tour with more emphasis on how they should manage it, rather than the content.
SB the ever present aid and family member was her usual great support.
After the tour we visited the recently opened car museum
The museum included a similar Mercedes to one I owned in the 90s, my wonderful inactive Ambassador and a candlestick telephone like one at home.
…
I’ve invited them to continue with this journey, if they wish, so that within a year ( much less!) they should be able to lead a tour.
Who knows where it might lead —- greater personal competencies at least.
If it happens— I’m open to them leading tours and maybe taking over and expanding. I have absolutely no expectations.
They’re all very different characters but of course, all have potential.
I was happy with the day.
Who adopted who?
… or who’s the boss? Well nobody really.
I refer to how kaveri (age 11) who in a little over three years has matured mentally, physically and socially. It is, of course, a very significant stage in life.
As you can see she now almost as tall as her mum (age 29?).
I’m proud of her and the little help I’ve been able to be.
On reflection, she’s always been quite ‘together’ for her age.
She’s just about to start her third school since I’ve known her. I’ve promised that Manjula’s Mysore will continue to support her education up to university and maybe beyond.
…
Kaveri, Lucie and I
I’m — as Kaveri puts it — one of her nine mums.
More clutter?
Of course not 🤔🤭🤫
They’re for use as props for an adapted story.
The storyteller in me is happy, as is the shopper and the gatherer of clutter.
More to come ..
Kaveris next Big Step
Kaveri’s mum Chandrika has decided to change her school.
We understand that she’s missed Kaveri as the school was residential (what they call hostel here) and she would only see her maybe once a month
But it worked. Kaveri settled in and made great friends amongst the one hundred students.
We’ve seen real progress: my hasn’t she grown?
.. Physically, socially and mentally.
We can feel the confidence and assertiveness, developing strong relationships, being theatrical …
But it’s her mum’s choice and it’s a big step.
Kaliyuvamane, her current school, is an open school following its own structure and curricular with students passing their tenth standard (around age 15 or 16) exam to rejoin the mainstream school system. It’s been a success and made a big difference for Kaveri, for many reasons and especially the consistency and continuity. Being a residential school has actually helped.
network
Hence the big step to be changing school and rejoining a private school —one that follows the state curricular— at age eleven.
This one is a day school so Kaveri will be moving back home. That’s the bit that I worry about, without making too fine a point about it.
So it’s going to be very different for Kaveri and we’re gearing ourselves up to guide and support.
Let’s See …
… as MAnjula, would say.
Thanks to the rest of the team from India and from around the world including:
Ilaria, Sarvesh, Sowbaghya, Mo, Trishalla, Lucy, Maria, Eregowda…
and many of the guests of Mysore Bed and Breakfast for your help directly with Kaveri and for your financial support.
…
On a personal level, My relationship with Kaveri has helped me manage my grief in losing MAnjula. It provides purpose and a refocus but as all my friends know it’s been quite difficult managing the family dynamics.
Manjula’s Mysore through its funding, and support from its directors Sarvesh and Stephen and its wider support network, sponsors and will continue to support Kaveri as long as we can.
Kaveri
It’s May and we’ve just celebrated Kaveri’ birthday.
She’s now 11 and she is a star
The past month’s activities included: seaside holiday, skating, swimming coaching and summer camp.
KaverI is now at her mother’s and we hit the uncertainty of whether Chandrika, her mother, will change her school. Kaliyuvamane the alternative residential school she’s attended for two years has helped her grow socially, intellectually and physically.
We can make either options work but the residential school has had the continuity that her home will not provide.
I worry that it maybe beyond Chandrika’s ability if Kaveri is shifted to the day school but we’ll do our best.
Meanwhile
I’m relaxing in Manjula’s Memorial Garden and toying with the idea of revisiting our memoir.
Can I revamp and rewrite? Do
I have the energy and the ability?
Me and MYCycle 