Stories about my S Asia working experiences
Ramesh was very happy with his life. He lived on a large compound owned by a Publishing House. The compound housed workers, as well as providing space for publishing buildings and plant. While housing was cramped for the average family with five children Ramesh had access to spacious manicured grounds providing for a range of sporting activities. The publishers realized keeping employees happy made for … Continue reading Tradition
Characters in the following story set in India are fictitious and the story is not based on any known events. The bungalow picture above was taken in Pune, India during my work years there. Chapter 1 Loud cries emanating from the bedroom told the assembly of family and friends Shamala’s ordeal was over. All eyes turned to Mohan who was staring expectantly at the bedroom … Continue reading Shakuntala
Shakuntla stumbles down the rocky road On weary feet beneath a blazing sun And on her head she bears a heavy load Her daily toil has only just begun Construction gang for her the only choice No education did Shakuntla get For women in this village have no voice She works to keep her family out of debt The labor pains intensifying now She throws … Continue reading Roadside Birth
One of the joys of raising children is to have a reason for doing things you once found enjoyable in childhood. Some activities could be considered progressively un-cool as children move into adolescence and certainly taboo as they get into the serious pursuit of a spouse later on. If you were to see a young adult sitting by themselves on a beach with a little … Continue reading Becoming Of Age
Nala. A mini-novel fictional story set in the island of Sri Lanka Chapter 1 Appu Silva stood up to his knees in the waters of the Kelani River with the mill elephants, splashing, prodding, and whispering sounds which could only be understood by these work animals as he sought to keep … Continue reading NALA
Quote. “It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; it takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.” Proverbs 24:3,4. It was 1968! We were living in Mumbai India at the time in a crowded Moslem area of a suburb called Byculla. Life commenced at 4 am with the mattress teaser heading for … Continue reading Builders or Wreckers?
I’d been assigned to visit educational institutions receiving grants for development purposes, and report to donors all was well with their funded projects, before a continuation of grants could be approved. I was familiar with my next location. My first visit had been on similar assignments ten years previous. In earlier days primary mode of travel through the country was by river ferry or deshi … Continue reading Squandered Resources
The above image was extracted from the Wikipedia web site – Rat Snakes It was one of those dry and dusty Sunday summer days in Pune, India. The abundant greening of the nation during monsoon season had long passed and been replaced with a uniform brown dust and rock where grass had recently grown so abundantly. Flame trees kept a brave presence in searing dry … Continue reading Another Unwelcome Visitor
http://www.minifauna.com has copyright to the above picture. It was Sunday afternoon, and because it was summer we were inside trying desperately to stay within the orbit of our home made water cooler. Our Indian friends had advised during the blistering heat of pre-monsoon all windows and doors should be shut tight daytime, and opened wide at night. That is except for one window where water … Continue reading Unwelcome Visitors
August 6, 1965 we were on our way to Port Adelaide, Australia to join the Italian passenger liner Marconi for our first overseas adventure. There was an air of excitement mingled with apprehension as we negotiated the swaying gangplank with our carry on luggage. Down in the bowels of the ship were our earthly possessions, a modest collection of furnishings and household bits and pieces. … Continue reading Passage to India
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