I like finding similarities that help us find bridge points and make connections.

I’m often sharing experiences of similarity to show how connected we really are… that especially important in our global political environment.

To guests and the young people who’ve joined Manjula’s Mysore’s network I often give this example.

When I meet a new English person they’ll try and figure out where in England I’m from. My accent will easily show I’m from the north of England.

After a little more dialogue they’ll probably hone in on Yorkshire county rather than Lancashire.

Certain words I might use would indicate I’m from a working class background.

I don’t mind that —- fact is,—I’ve crossed many boundaries in my life. A particular help has been going to university, the first in my family.

In India people think class is an insurmountable experience. In my case it definitely wasn’t. In fact I think that, being middle class from a working class background is an advantage.

People I’ve talked to, think class is somehow like caste. I don’t think that’s true at all.

Caste seems so prevalent in Indian life and potentially much more damaging to individuals and society overall.

I think there’s an added issue. There’s a joke that people from north England don’t ‘do’ deference. I think that’s quite accurate

I like to think of myself as egalitarian. Don’t misunderstand — I have my prejudices and being aware of them is a critical step in dealing with it — leading to some personal change.

..

I’ve realised one of the additional problems that colonialisation by the British has created for India.

Distraction from other important battles.

It’s the colonialists to blame for diverting the community’s political energies. Unlike in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries where the social structure was beginning to be challenged — in India the energies were used necessarily to throw off the outsiders. They missed the opportunity to use that time and people power to throw out the traditions. I hope that the growth of the middle classes, the lower castes using their muscle we might see a correction and move away from the feudal.

Let’s see.