Tag: South India

CAVA

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Our very local art college had an open day today.

This is possibly my favourite but it’s impossible to choose.

We have great friends from here including Punith, Karan and a couple of the wonderful lecturers.

Today, new friends, Fab students gave me their precious time and wonderful insights.
Which carried on in the evening with great entertainment
And to prove I’m Indian I just had to take a selfie.

Wedding part two

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The morning after the reception.

Timings are followed exactly (9.00 to 9.30 am) unlike the night before when things hadn’t started almost two hours after the advertised time.

The knot is tied and I’ve poured milk, gently thrown rice and had tiffin.

Behind the scenes in the choultry or wedding hall is the sort of place where Manjula started working.

The bride’s proud father

Weddings, I’ve seen a few.

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Wonderful decoration at Lakshmi’s parent’s house next door and after twelve years living here I still forget and turn up on time. Where is everyone?
The tying of the knot is actually tomorrow. This is the reception

Thankfully it’s filling out and I recognise a couple of people, so correct day and place.

I’m in a new phase in addition to visiting places where I’ve already been with Manjula, like many of the central London attractions, I now find myself wishing she was with me in new situations.

Well she is !
Ripples of excitement as people are recognised and celebrated.

These are critical events in connecting community.

It’s getting late and nothings happened yet. I haven’t planned this properly and should have eaten. I might beat a hasty retreat.

I’ll be back in the morning.

Tomorrow Lakshmi and Sunil tie the knot. Today at reception, only soft drinks, it’s gifts and photos.

We’re losing so much

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There are signs everywhere of the man-made environmental damage resulting from not anticipating the consequences, concentrating on short term gains and our lack of care.

Even seas go missing. Due to all the above combined with local and global pressures.

All around the world, including in our backyard in Karnataka with the Kaveri river, there’s conflicts about water being taken from rivers and little being left for the communities further down.

Manjula gives again

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Vanshika and her younger sister Samiksha with their gifts from Manjula

Vanshika was the first to borrow books from the library. She was worried that her English wasn’t perfect, well it’s much better than this Yorkshireman’s.

Her mum thinks she’ll love the books but she’s uncertain about that man.
Manjula’s kind

Reflective Space

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I enjoy meeting new people for enlightening conversations. We cover an incredible range of subjects.

I’m regularly contacted by young people who arrange to drop in and talk and often borrow books from Manjula’s library.

Thank you, from happy old man

Manjula gives again.

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New roses arrival, some gifted by Manjula, for the sadly depleted garden.
While Manjula’s garden and benches hang out in the next door park.
and continue to be enjoyed by many
So that’s why the corporation often don’t place their benches in the shade? 🤭I don’t think it was a Manjula gift or maybe it was….

Ganesh goes for a swim

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Preparing to take Ganesh and his mum Gowri to the river.

So where’s the Ganesh we bought last week?

  • In the Ambassador
  • Met with Satish and got the supplies

The Ganesh we first bought and fell in love with has been added to the extensive home collection.

Naveen’s very first time, didn’t he do well?
Can I come too?
Each year we usually bring guests to do the honours. Last year it was the old man, the year before we didn’t do the puja at all, as Manjula had left us.

Here’s more details from five years ago

We’re big on Ganesh throughout the year and found a workshop carving wooden statues from three years ago.