I now have to find help to create the bed and plant the plants.
Manjula’s garden will be between the two stone benches at the top end of our park.
Can we have a garden please?
Category: Life in India
One of the Magicians of Mysore
Jan Brouwer does it again, with the relaunch of his popular and well regarded: Cottage Chamber Concert.
On the 14th February, in his home in Mysore we were entertained by Faleen and his sister Falisha.
Imagine you’re in a lovely house, tastefully decorated and well designed but it is a home. You meet the other guests in the downstairs hall (Lounge) for snacks and politely talk about the concerns of the day, in this case, no surprise as it was about vaccinations and the pandemic. Promptly, on time you’re invited upstairs to the Music Room where a Yamaha C2 concert grand piano is centre stage. You’re seated on attractive 19th century Dutch furniture, surrounded by paintings and images of some of the featured composers.
We were entertained by two young people to the music of Burgmuller, Chopin, Shostakovich, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Prokofiev, Grieg, and Moritz Moszkowski. Phew, yes, all that.
It’s as if many years of training, practice and performing as concert pianists had been crammed and concentrated into two small , young bodies who gently teared across the grand’s keyboard to provide a wonderfully unexpected experience. A musical talent demonstrating a sensitive maturity way beyond their years. You just had to close your eyes to imagine you were in a concert hall in one of the European capital cities but with the comfort and intimacy of visiting a favourite auntie and uncle.
Congratulations to Faleen and Falisha for a wonderful concert and thanks to the Brouwers, as we look forward to more entertainment from the jewels you find.
Friction 1
One of the greatest challenges facing we humans is friction.
So what do we mean by friction?
A dictionary will refer to the resistance encountered when two objects or surfaces come together and try to move. Such as a tyre on the road.
The insights and opinions we offer are about the friction that comes between different people, between people and their institutions or their communities and also between people and the wider world.
Our first offering refers to a particular form of lubrication. It counters the friction we experience in our day to day lives and helps make things happen.
In its simplest form the lubricant is a gift, a thank you.
The team that collect the rubbish and clear the leaves received a tip this morning. A thank you gift. Nothing wrong with that.
In my view when it becomes a requirement for service it starts to become a problem. An example of this is in the US and Canada where the level of tip to someone waiting your table in a restaurant is carefully calculated and absolutely expected. That feels like a supplement to the wage, required because the employer is a cheapskate and underpays their staff. It becomes an extra tax.
In India where I’ve lived for over eleven years we have a lot of experience with a particular form of lubrication, known as bribery.
This takes it to a whole other level.
If you’re a business applying for a business permit from the corporation or a liquor licence for a bar, pay your fee and a whacking great bribe otherwise absolutely nothing will happen.
Politicians do it all the time. Jump ship to another party and be paid with a ministerial berth or some other juicy position with money making promise.
Here are two more examples I’ve discovered just this morning. In my view they are quite unbelievable.
Want a job?
Someone has bribed to get a job at a state run business. On her rate of salary it will take three years to have earned the equivalent of the bribe she has paid.
Want a driving licence?
Don’t bother with lessons or even turning up at the test centre, you never have to get in a car, ever! Just send a bribe through a broker.
This is expected in most situations to one degree or another, it is so ingrained that no one ever expects it to change.
Some might wonder why it matters.
A red bicycle
We’re reaching out to a whole new generation
Her mother asked why is there a cycle on the roof? She explained that this is Stephens house.
Ritu’s father Somesh visited with Aadirika to take photos of her wonderful portrait of Manjula and Lucie.
We’re going to find ways for Manjula to continue to reach out to young people.
Anita’s Attic
Anita Nair a renowned author here in India has an annual programme ‘Anita’s Attic’ to help up and coming writers.
It’s my new thing, writing. Ha ha says the Yorkshireman, who can’t even speak English.
Our group of ten have just finished the latest programme with each of us reading a short creative piece that we’ve written.
Here’s mine. You can’t escape so easily. 🤭
Do provide critical feedback.
Children riding two wheelers
a new problem in Mysore are children riding scooters (two wheelers means motorised) with the obvious dangerous consequences.
A policeman stops three children age twelve on a scooter. Two of them run away (not a lot of respect for the Police) as he’s asking for personal details from the one who’s riding.
The Policeman telephones the father and demands a bribe or he’ll report it aunders an offence. A bribe of 5000Rs is paid. That’s the equivalent of half of someone’s monthly pay.
Bribery and corruption is inherent. Does it have the desired effect of stopping dangerous under-age driving? who knows?
Thai massage
made me lighter. No not in weight, let’s not go there.
Ragu and his team can be found here
Open Mic
An open mic event at Dreamers Cafe in Mysore great young audience entertained with poetry, singing, guitar, flute, jokes and storytelling.
My very first appearance at an open mic.
Lucie and I are missing the people. The busy household, constant comings and going’s, the jokes, the kindness and our queen.
This helps replace some of the missing energy. Great evening, wonderful people, well organised.
Magnanimous MAnjula
It’s one of those wishing differently days so great to announce more of Manjula’s gifts.
Manjula gave gifts to Divya, Naveen, Tanuja and Jossica.
Sad and Sorry
Driving on a double road this morning a ten month old bullock stepped into the path of my Ambassador
A group quickly developed, as is usual in India.
Satish came to handle the situation. Compensating the owner with 4000 Rs (£40) in theory for the poor bullock’s leg to be fixed up and he to be taken to the old cow’s home.
But I wonder if the owner will just pocket the money and sell the poor bullock to become meat even thought just recently that became illegal.
I’m really sad and sorry.
Me and MYCycle 