(image Courtesy of Sampark - www.sampark.org)India, is as described by many, a land of extreme contrasts - which is fully exemplified by just stepping outside our new harmonious front door - navigating past the large bullock grazing on rubbish during my improvised running loop yesterday provided an additional athletic challenge.
As I write the terrorist situation in Mumbai is still not resolved and there is a general feeling of apprehension - the normally half asleep security guards actually paying attention for a change. I will get my first taste of the Urban/Rural contrasts this weekend when on go up-country overnight on the 'Hampi Express' to visit some of the work that the NGO I have been helping is doing in the Koppal region. They also work with urban poor in Bangalore which is how I ended up visiting a mobile school on a building site earlier this week. The school was a breeze-block hut (some 20 sq mtrs) with some 40 kids - and I thought Ponteland CP was crowded in the late 60s. This was a true mixed age and ability class with children (of the migrant construction workers) ranging from 9 months to 12 years - oh and in at least 3 languages - quite a challenge for a first time teacher!
Having seen some of the kids work and their performances we asked if they wanted to ask us (self and other visitor) any questions - very sensibly a six year old boy asked if we did any teaching (they were here to learn after all!) and/or performances. I was holding my off key rendition of 'Keep your feet still Geordie hinny' in reserve when we both decided that we could just about remember 'Incy Wincy Spider' - though there was some bilateral negotiation needed to finally decide on the 'authorised' lyrics and the correct hand actions. This was much better received than any of my singing efforts in the past, with full audience participation - I am still available for Panto btw.
India, especially Bangalore, can seem a selfish place, but little outcrops of simple altrusim within the sea of surging survival and captalism go a long way. I had better stop before I start sounding like a 'Thought for the Day' out-take - and get back to the important stuff - the men are coming to install the washing machine - domestic life in India may be about to start for real, especially if the maid can't work out how to use it properly.
4 comments:
Hope the apprehension about the situation in Mumbai resolves itself - you were both in our thoughts in the office. Incy wincy spider..... fly on the wall stuff. Take acre. Peter PS welcome to your new home
It has kept Rachel busy as 22 of her staff were in Mumbai when it all kicked off, plus another 2 stranded in Bangkok - so she has had a great chance to put the nascent emergency response plans into action - all are well if not yet fully safely gathered to the safety of Bangalore - although it went pop (bangalore) literally a few months ago - same day as Rachel signed up for the job...
Just testing the comment page - much trouble with a forgotten password etc. Trust all well and safe in B.
You are transmitting loud and clear DR B
All OK at this end after last week
D
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