Tag: Mysore

What’s an education for?

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I’m concerned that the school systems globally are not ‘fit for purpose’, in that they are more like sausage factories and don’t properly cater for the whole person and their diverse needs.

Not unlike this…..

I have also consulted books such as those by Ken Robinson, visited schools and discussed the situation with friends in Mysore and elsewhere.

In mysore we have a full range of options, not only Kalyuva Mane, and Arivu which offer something a little different, there’s also the full range of government, religious/trust and private schools covering the many curricular available in India.

There’s even agile Shala with its programme, online and education centres another valuable alternative.

What a super range of options.

I was seriously impressed and then bowled after meeting wonderfully articulate, well rounded children who’s parents provide ‘home’ schooling.

So, why the interest?

I have a particular young girl in mind. You’ve guessed it?

I’m trying to find out what would suit Kaveri

Most importantly I’ve discussed with Kaveri and her mum, it’s obviously their decision.

Back in time

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I consciously live on the side of Mysore away from the mainstream yoga activity. There’s yoga everywhere in mysore including the class I attend at the local gym.

But I do like to visit Gokalum (the yoga concentrate) and when I do it feels like I’m stepping back in time or visiting another planet.

Sarvesh encouraged me to venture out.

Vishnu Sharma — who I met through open mic and his lovely family that I keep bumping into, most recently at the spinning (cotton not legs) class, — organised the concert.

It’s like we entered hippiedom, for a fab evening out at Chakra House

I think I’ll return.

Cycling to discover good

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Almost thirteen years ago — shortly after I’d moved to Mysore — a group of us cycled to visit local community projects.

I wrote about it in the local paper ‘The Star of Mysore’

Organised by Sham Sunder from the National institute of Engineering here in Mysore we met activists to learn about their strong social and environmental conscience and the active projects they’d created.

One of the places we visited was Kaliyuva Mane — a school FOR children. A free residential alternative to traditional schools.

This was going to come back into my life in a very satisfying way.

Happy Sankranti!

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It’s a crisp winters morning but with a nice bright Sun. Breakfast is prepared and ready to serve the guests in an hour, so I now fetch curd and walk Lucie.

What a lovely morning, I praise a young neighbour’s Rangoli designs for Sankranti, while noticing other houses are already decorated with banana leaves with yellow painted cows passing by.


Declaring “Chennai-ge-day” (phonetical ‘good’) tea and getting a smile from the Chaiiwala. I’m reminded that …


Life’s good.


I’m happily reflecting on last night’s interesting dinner with great guests— teachers from Germany— with Sarvesh and of course preciousness herself Kaveri, Cauvery….

I’m forever told I don’t pronounce her name properly.

Her new festival outfit from Fab India


It’s lovely to have Kaveri here.


Kaveri continued her star performance. Entertained us over breakfast, helped install more Tibetan prayer flags

and become tutor showing how to draw rangoli.

Even Billet-Doux comes to look


A happy day.

Kaveri is now home with her mum.

Farrell Factoid

K k k kaveri is kicking.

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In the past week Kaveri has attended a market with children selling their artistic creations, meeting the rich mix of Mysore Bed and Breakfast guests, attended a classical (grand) piano concert, and today visited three child focused alternative schools we’re considering for next year.

She left people impressed with her articulate English, and friendly confidence.

What a star.

Mary Christmas

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Knock knock

Who’s there?

Mary?

Mary who?

Mary Christmas.

Ho Ho Ho it’s really Father Christmas the bringer of gifts.

Kaveri thought she knew Father Christmas after recognising his bangles SAPA video

Mysore Storytellers Network together with SAPA organised a Carol singing event.

Earlier rehearsals

Stop it

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Oy, stop eating me.

I’ve just got back from walking Lucie and couldn’t find the kits anywhere.

I’d left the garage door open so they had access to the yard.

Eventually I found one of the whiteys and slowly they began to appear from their hiding place under the washing machine.

I think something scared them and mum wasn’t here.

Now they’re relaxed and we’re bonding through biting.

They haven’t worked out eating their soft solids (meat or fish) without sticking their nose in it. …. hence the dirty nostrils.

Mum returns from her freedom holiday.

We’re all ok now.

Manjula’s Mysore News : October 2022

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STOP PRESS CHECK THE VIDEO

Manjula’s Mysore is now the name of the new business. and we’ve already done a few things…

A fun day of activities for forty young visually impaired women on what would have been Manjula’s 49th birthday. Please Check the video created by Faizan.

We’ll always do something on her birthday

Created a garden in the park opposite.

A holiday in Kannur for our extended team

Reopened mysore bed and breakfast and mycycle tours. This month the MCC : Mysore City Corporation issued a business licence and so we’ve officially welcomed our first guests.

The new business has allowed Stephen to get a business visa, to continue to stay in India. So far he’s not been able to get an OCI (overseas citizen of india) and most importantly it’s another way to celebrate MAnjula

Manjula’s Mysore is a three year project to do good as MAnjula would have wanted