I’m grateful we found each other, pleased we could spend wonderful time together but wish we’d had more.
Facebook memories.
Category: our story
Puja for Manjula
It’s that time of year when we remember our beloved, who’s body has left us
An event that’s… Celebrated in communities and religions throughout the world.
Before eating we all left the house for Manjula’s spirit to enter our home and eat. We don’t want her being hungry.
The lunch was reminiscent of the wonderful shared meals created by MAnjula for our friends and guests.
Well done to Manjula’s team.
Police Psychology
No star, one, two, three
I was stopped on my usual cycle route this morning. An order prohibiting an event with a party political tint was the reason.
First the police officer stopped me. Star one and two got involved. I couldn’t go past.
I’m cycling and clearly nothing to do with the political agitation or whatever it is. The police act as a parent (or at least want to enjoy bossing the foreigner) and show no mental flexibility. I respond as an adult. (Psychological Reference: transactional analysis and the book: ‘games people play’) not as a ‘child.’
I don’t even want to go up the Chamundi hill (the subject of the order) I want to go around the bottom and backside (Indian English not double entendre).
So I reach out to third star.
He sees beyond the conventional level of following the rules aka orders and let’s me through. He’s clearly established the principles in his head which guides his decisions and actions. (Another psychology connection) and rests at advanced post-conventional level. Please see below and Kohlberg’s Theory of moral development.
Either that, or the mention of my Indian wife, did the trick. 🤔🤭
I hope we can help the children at Kaliyuvamane to develop core values and principles exactly like the three star policeman .
Or at least help Kaveri to reach the top level.
I also look forward to the overdue campaign to take car drivers beyond ‘pre-conventional.’ As many haven’t even achieved that level (of following the rules) as yet, it’s maybe too much to expect.
Todays happenings
Lunch at Kaliyuvamane
They’ve also got a farm.
…
Beforehand I slipped in the back door of the city corporation to pick up my letter renewing permission for manjula’s garden in the park opposite our house
Blah blah blah
That’s me boring an unsuspecting group of students at Cresta College
I’m currently connecting with colleges and the famous school of Kaveri to try figure out my next steps in India.
Children’s Theatre
This event arrived at exactly the right timing for me.
Just as I’m investigating ways I might get involved with Kaliyuvamane school beyond my support for Kaveri.
It easily fitted my view that we should look to support children’s learning beyond established subjects. That would be to be better communicators, critical thinkers, develop the necessary competencies to manage life, and find their own passions.
Facebook memories
Butchers
Unnecessary butchering of trees
Three trees chopped down in little over a day.
One tree fell because of a rain storm so they’re concerned more will fall. it’s important to protect people but let’s get the balance right and check with those we can trust, who know what’s best.
Only cut when and where it’s necessary.
Staff shouldn’t be given tree rein.
I failed to save at least one tree that didn’t need to be cut.
I’ve been advised that there’s no need to chop down the trees. Just trim the branches and reduce the ‘crown.’ So it doesn’t get waterlogged and top heavy when it rains, then it’s less likely to break and fall over .
I’ve seen a small chain saw at the end of a stick that’s ideal for the job.
It needs someone with the relevant skills and authority to take charge.
Do we care? Who is accountable? How do we stop it happening again?
New thing… learning.
I shared this joke as I’m currently working out how to help children think (creatively, divergently and critically) as part of my new thing. (Contemplating working with kaveri’s school, if they’ll have me) I’m looking into Kohlberg’s Stages Of Moral Development after starting to read this book ….
Postscript
I’ve also been reading Ken Robinson’s books. Great insights about how our education systems are designed for the Industrial Revolution preparing children to slot into jobs that will not exist. So we need to help them to have the competencies associated with adaptability, effective communication and developing relationships. I agree but there seems to be an added problem in achieving that. We don’t help them to think for themselves, to be innovative, we suppress it and expect them to know their place. That is an even older approach, it’s medieval and wrong.
Will they pick up ?
I’m told they don’t pick up or answer the phone.
If the underpass is anything to go by you’ll be waiting sometime.
This is on a day when the whole city is heaving. It’s Lakshmi’s festival in a few days time.
People are risking life and limb crossing the busy roads, squeezing in the few inches between the concrete blocks separating the constant streams of traffic.
Who cares?
Me and MYCycle 