The flower would appear each year at this time, carefully nurtured by MAnjula.
Eagerly anticipated, she’d predict what night it would blossom only to fold in on itself by the morning.
A short intense appearance not unlike MAnjula who dramatically changed my life.
It’s all no accident as she radiated the sun herself, through her smile, her presence every inch of her being. Two queens together.
Whatever you want.
Reflective space is Our monthly meeting of young adults to discuss anything of interest.
What a wonderful group of people, with a wide range of experience and interests.
Our special guest was Sarvesh visiting from Australia.
We discussed education, medicine, culture and much more.
We ‘d reconvened after a gap of two months due to me being pre-occupied with school summer holiday and my own holiday to Europe.
Next month our special guest is Maria. We want find out about her and what she does so we expect it will cover women’s empowerment and support for children, as she has experience in those fields.
Meetings will now be held each month.
If you want to join a future meeting write to Stephen at tours@mycycle.co
Kaliyuvamane
A statement from the founder Ananth Kumar
We are very happy that children are enthusiastically flocking around Mr. Rajesh Madhavan, Theatre Director, a product of ‘Ninasam’ – Theatre Institute, who is staying on the campus.
Our sincere gratitude to ‘Nirdiganta’ for opting ‘Kaliyuva Mane’ for their 6 months’ programme, ‘Shala Rangavikasa’ (ಶಾಲಾ ರಂಗವಿಕಾಸ). Hope this will enhance the emotional stability, imagination and expression of children.
Please watch the video:
This is the school Kaveri attends.
It’s providing innovative ways to help the children become more confident and develop competencies to help tackle life’s challenges whilst fulfilling their potential.
It’s a great example of how Kaliyuvamane School has a different approach which goes beyond traditional schooling.
Supported by our guests.
A merry-go-round.
I like this edition from Maria Popova…
“A person is not a potted plant of predetermined personality but a garden abloom with the consequences of chance and choice that have made them who they are, resting upon an immense seed vault of dormant potentialities. At any given moment, any seed can sprout — whether by conscious cultivation or the tectonic tilling of some great upheaval or the composting of old habits and patterns of behavior that fertilize a new way of being. Nothing saves us from the tragedy of ossifying more surely than a devotion to regularly turning over the soil of personhood so that new expressions of the soul can come abloom.”
We’re multidimensional and can grow in any number of directions. As I’m continually tangled in the survival of life’s challenges especially the grief that knows no name, I like this perspective. To me it links with the Buddhist concept of feeding the seeds, it reflects there is choice and opportunity in making ourselves what we want and need to be.
It’s no accident that I’m reflecting on this the day after Kaveri has returned to school. She represents a bountiful section of the new garden..
I wish MAnjula’s presence and attentive love was physically with me to help with the gardening. We’ll all manage together, in this new chapter.
Just to ensure you got it….. the following activities have formed this year’s camp for Kaveri …
Swimming, skating, trying out new things…
and dropping into the summer camp organised by Manjesh of Chirayu Dance Institute here in Siddarthalayout.
That’s not to mention, watching movies, walking Lucie, visitors to Aroma for treats, pestering for one thing or another, especially screen time.
Predominantly staying at Mysore Bed and Breakfast with auntie — sorry sister — Radhika, but what is the old git doing?
Apparently traditionally thanking the guests for joining the final celebration of Chirayu’s Summer Camp.
Visiting Leela vet hospital as Lucie, the old dear has developed a limp. Dodgy Joints? not to mention it’s too hot for her!!
Tomorrow is someone’s tenth birthday.
Our fun activities since returning to Mysore include:
Skating
Kaveri has progressed to new skates and uniform, again with the Elite Roller Skating Academy
…
Swimming
classes again at our local pool.
and a local dance centre has organised their very own summer camp.
With a day out
A light wavered.
It didn’t go out as she’s very much with me.
Today on the fifth anniversary of losing her —- physically yes —- but not in any other way.
We remember Manjula
A meal is prepared including all her favourite things.
We offer it to her and by praying to her God we help her spirit find her way to the next incarnation.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen .
No it’s not another posting about Shakespeare or Caesar —- it’s about a different inspiration —-
Manjula
As we approach the anniversary of Manjula’s partial departure five years ago (she is of course very much with us) I want to remember her beautiful wonderfulness and recall the good we’ve done together, in her name.
And so it’s also about you: ‘Manjula’s Kind’ friends who have given cash or help-in-kind or moral support to help me through the grief gravy and to take action.
Amongst these are (please follow the links for more information):
– granite benches and garden in our nearby park in Siddarthanagar in partnership with the MCC
-creativity days for 40 visually impaired young women,
– five events/workshops at Kaliyuvamane, (a ‘free/alternative school) for 100 children, there’s many mentions on our sites, here’s two … 1 and 2
– sponsoring a young girl who now attends Kaliyuvamane. The famous Kaveri who’s peppered throughout our sites and dominates my life.
– donating cycles
And many more actions
Thank you so much
Stephen
With Manjula
In so many ways.
She could beat the Brit with her fast thinking humour.
This month I don’t rely just on my memory as I’m being constantly reminded by the smart phone photos of what happened five years ago when MAnjula had had enough.
This image (thanks for creating it Punith) popped up. As with everything, a story goes with it. …
Occasionally we’d have guests who’d arrive a bit fed-up. Maybe tired from the daily onslaught of travel or messed up by the consistent inconsistencies of this unpredictable land.
Manjula and I would realise (using secret signals) that we had someone who was ‘glass half full’ and then we’d turn up the jokey banter ‘smelling salts’ to help bring them round.
In due course when we were over full (when I’d lose my bedroom due to too many guests) it became known as ‘full full’. In time MAnjula used the term to reflect our happy life together.
It was ‘full full’ just too short.
Me and MYCycle 