10th November 2013 Chennai, India
Visit to Kerala by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall
It’s really hard to believe that I’ve been in Chennai for 2 months: it still feels like a dream. Our departure from Cameroon was quick, with a one-week stop in the UK for a brilliant Course on South Asia at Kings. The perfect induction into Asia after 4 brilliant if challenging years in Africa.
Working in India has been a long-term aspiration for me and Bhakti, who has had a lifelong love affair with the temples, people and food of the South is over the moon.
The people of Chennai could not have been more welcoming: we were a little nervous about the reception we might get, but Southern Hospitality remains friendly and generous, and the genuine interest in our Indian origins has helped us feel at home.
But the story of the posting so far is Kerala, Kerala and Kerala. The visit of their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Kochi and Kumarakom for 4 days will help them appreciate its natural beauty – not for nothing is it called God’s Own Country – and its strong cultural traditions. But it’s also an opportunity to understand how the state and its people are tackling challenges posed by urbanisation and the need for sustainable urban development and regeneration; the tension between ensuring habitat conservation for wildlife while securing the rights and traditions of forest dwellers including tribal communities; the pressures on Kerala’s health system with the rise in middle class diseases including diabetes and heart disease; and the role of technology in supporting the delivery of a 21st Century Education fit for a globalised world. Their Royal Highnesses are closely involved in these areas of work and each is a sphere with heavy UK engagement, by Government and partners like the British Council, and by British companies. For us, this is an opportunity to showcase the value that our partnerships with India do to improve people’s lives every day.
It won’t be easy, and my colleagues in India have already set the bar astonishingly high (see the photos of Their Royal Highnesses at Rishikesh), but I’m confident that, thanks to the Chennai team with sterling support from Delhi colleagues which has done brilliant work, it will be a fantastic four weeks.
It could even be a perfect week. If Arsenal can just beat Man United…
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I introduce myself as Mrs. Meera Gopal Rao a(retired but still working) school teacher in a private school.I was fortunate to be present at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on 22nd instant when your Excellency&your charming wife Bhakti inaugurated the Music festival.As I just stay next door to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, I attend almost all programs.I was immensely happy to hear your candid,interesting &thought- provoking speech.I was impressed when you shared your experiences on your search for your roots.& also how the Indian victory in World cricket changed your thoughts. We are happy to have your Excellency,your wife& your lovely daughters in Chennai.We will be happy to see more &more of you in future.We will be happy if your Excellency&your wife Bhakti visit our school at the earliest..I know its hard to remember,but let me remind your Excellency that I greeted you&your wife with a “Namaste” at the exit as you left the hall.As I was brought up in Mumbai,I know little of Gujarati the language of our dear Father of our nation.So I will say”AUVU JO”
Dear Mrs Rao
Many thanks for your message and kind comments. I will e-mail you directly regarding your comments.
Regards
Bharat
Bharat…..
excellent. ….feeling proud that we know you.i am friend of dipali oza.she told us about your experience …means bhakti, …..experience
Thanks Chetnaben for your lovely message – any friend of my sister-in-law……. I’ve been very lucky in my life. Both with my wife, Bhakti, who makes everything better and my career where I’ve always worked with the very best people who make me look much better than I am.
Brilliant Bharat
I too was eagerly looking forward to yet another stellar performance from the Gunners.. Alas was not to be! The depressing part was RVP getting to score against us. Im confident this was a tough one for us, at OldT and we will now get back to the winning ways.
Trust you visit of Kerala is going fine.
Please do ask to Meet Shashi Tharoor, our Min of State for Education. He is an MP fro Thiruvanandapuram and an excellent author and orator.
Have fun and continue to write regularly.
Thanks Ram: I didn’t have time to grieve. But great going to bed tonight with the possibility of Sachin scoring another 100 in his final Test. So still something to look forward to! Look at the photos: Bhakti looks amazing.