It’s been a gas.
A challenge.
Kaveri stayed with me, for the summer school holiday, almost two months. We were ably assisted by the wonderful Ilaria, our workawayer from Italy
The idea was to engage her with a whole series of activities to see which worked.
They all did
Our second time in 2023
It’s June and a new book has arrived for Manjula’s library. After over four years you’d think I’d stopped buying such books but far from it.
It’s another refreshing look at this challenging new life.
It reminds and reinforces that yes I could and should invite people to come share their stories.
If you get to the end of this posting and no 1 you’re still awake and 2 it resonates with you experiencing something similar and you might want to gain and provide support, then join our meeting.
This book is just the catalyst I’ve needed.
The first bit explains it well.
Here it is…
I’ve your interested please write directly or follow the link to yet another boring google form.
Stephen.
PS I’m about to go on holiday to the disunited kingdom so I’ll get in touch on my return probably not before September.
We piloted an idea to introduce young dynamic artists to children at Kaliyuvamane who remained at school during the summer holiday.
Young people doing fab things.
In August 2023 on what would have been Manjula’s 50th birthday, the artists will return to the school with all the young people there for a full day of creativity.
Who knows where it might lead
Footnote
Kaveri is now attending Kaliyuvamane and living there most of the year.
From this weeks ‘reflective space’
A recurring theme in our conversations is how options are limited. For example parents and teachers encouraging young people towards certain professions/jobs regardless of their personal preference or inclination.
Combined with peer pressure, and ‘the system’ itself, it’s a major problem around the world
This book is a critical read to help someone gain the confidence to find their passion.
I found mine. At age 66, I can look back at all my careers and see the thread of where I’ve found opportunities to fulfil my needs and make that connection.
It’s helped me find my fit, feel valued and as if I’m making a difference. It’s not about making money.
Ken Robinson the author of this book gave a TED talk about education and how it’s not ‘fit for purpose’ in helping educate us in ways that suits us and meets our needs (or society’s for that matter). Here it is
Wish to join our conversations? then let us know . Please follow the link to get involved.
Stephen
for dialogues that help us
Make connections
Promote personal development
Share alternate views
…
We’re launching regular meetings
We’ve held a few informal meetings in the last year.
Todays was yet another great opportunity for insightful conversations.
We’re now going to hold regular monthly (still informal) meetings starting in September.
They are intended for young people and those young at heart. They are convened and vaguely facilitated by Stephen.
Who knows where it will lead, we’ve already covered a range of political, philosophical, cultural, community and personal issues in open conversation.
It will also provide opportunities to get involved with other Manjula’s Mysore projects.
Meetings will provide a safe reflective space.
We invite you to get involved and suggest other projects you’d like to see developed.
Please follow the link and complete the form if you’re interested in joining a group and have your own suggestions.
There will be two groups:
Monthly meetings with like minded people open to anyone who chooses to attend and drop in.
Monthly meetings over six months of individuals (hopefully also like minded) who choose to join, agree to attend every meeting and be active participants. Objectives and subjects will be set by the members at the first meeting. It’s known as a learning set. Numbers are limited.
Individual meetings might also be possible
Access to Manjula’s Library
Let us know on the form which your interested. We’ll inform you if the learning set will go ahead and if there’s a place available for you.
Future dialogues might be available at school, colleges or work, let’s see.
…
Who we are
Manjula’s Mysore in addition to mycycle tours and Mysore Bed and Breakfast organises and supports events to serve our community and reflect the goodness that was MAnjula.
So far we’ve organised an event for forty visually impaired young women, gifted bicycles, taken people on holiday, provided meals for elders, shared knowledge through Manjula’s library and meetings, sponsored two children, and facilitated team learning.
Set up by Stephen and other friends it celebrates MAnjula and continues her good work. More details are on both our web sites, various places on Facebook and even on Instagram.
Check ManjulasMysore meandmycycle
Over the last year we’ve occasionally had small gatherings at our house for young people.
It’s included people from their late teens to early adult but it’s open and not specific, conversations are in English and all it requires is an open mind accepting of others and their opinions.
It’s flexible.
It’s resulted in stimulating insightful conversations
We meet again this month to decide how to take it forward.
If you’re in Mysore and interested write to me at
Sfindia@gmail.com
Stephen
… her, as she’s back at school
A nine year old and a sixty six year old being together for over two months is a wonderful mix of experiences and emotions.
At times it’s been a challenge but wouldn’t change it…
On the way to school she asked if I’d visit this Sunday; within minutes — after being greeted by friends — it had changed to ‘a’ Sunday.
I will visit this Sunday and exchange pictures.
Here’s mine.
Thank you Kaveri for being you and invading my life.
Kaveri’s tooth has been bothering her all week while on holiday in Kannur.
The new is pushing out the old.
Now it’s out
It seems that in Italy (Ilaria is with us) and England (I’m the official representative) children are encouraged to place the tooth under their pillow.
A mouse (really?) or fairy will replace it with a coin, or so we think. if that happens, will there be an Italian or British coin? Mmm
We’ll see, maybe.
Here in India, we’re told, the tooth gets wrapped in cow shit and thrown over the roof. Who knows what happens after that.
Someone might be pulling our leg.
The very next day
A coin appeared under Kaveri’s pillow.
I just had to post again. Earlier I reflected my concern about the lack of care and compassion (see last posting) when I stumbled across this photo and dickens quote
Here’s someone’s extreme lack of care and compassion preferring that we don’t support people in poverty, who are clearly undeserving feckless oiks.
Un-bloody-believable.
Except this attitude is all too familiar, but I expect that these people (I’ve made it anonymous as we don’t want to create an internet teacup storm) aren’t demonstrating the slightest bit of self awareness by posting such crap on an insignificant page of old London photographs.
Maybe they haven’t got the slightest idea that our system is slanted in favour of the rich and powerful and blaming the powerless feeds into a narrative that maintains this unsavoury order.
Obviously I am naive about how people just accept the demonisation of poor people. I feel a Brexit moan coming on. Get real old people.
I write this having just returned (I live in India, remember?) from a one room dwelling that would have been no better and probably far worse than where those in the photograph lived.
The people are not to blame for the cycle of deprivation or their lot in life.
In my distorted view. It’s our duty in life to work out how best we can be kind and that includes showing care and compassion with a more equitable share of the resources we have at our disposal.
Assuming the immigration bureaucrats (long story) let me remain in my adopted country, we’ll continue to help where we can, through Manjula’s Mysore.
