Romance, love and violence at Times Literary Carnival

- Tread softly, Breathe peacefully, Laugh hysterically  (Nelson Mandela) 

The power of words can be immense, and as a symbol of that, Nelson Mandela was honored also here in Mumbai. You see, the Times Literary Carnival Festival is now on! That means 3 whole days of sessions, workshops, readings, lectures, book-launches, stalls, entertainment and cafes - all in the venue of Mehboob studios, Bandra. My friend Kiran and I spent the day, in company with fellow readers, writers and book-lovers, exploring different sides of Love, Romance and Violence - which are this year's themes. A great event for Mumbai, and a true inspiration for me personally. Indeed, what a powerful tool words can be!? Here are some moments from our day.

Writer and filmmaker Hanif Kureishi - (included by The Times in " The top 50 British writers since 1945") gave a lovely keynote. I enjoyed how he described how love can be the love from a writer to the story they are telling, and how a romance can be a romance between the reader and the current story they are reading:-) ( And oh crises- we all know what happens when the romance ends right?)  

The festival has several studios and a garden for the sessions. In the middle, there is a large open square - perfect for getting a cup of tea, a bite of something yummy, buying a book, or just hanging out chatting in between the different sessions. A very relaxed atmosphere:-)

The festival has a lot of sessions within a wide range of themes. Who would have thought I would learn so much about Bollywood in the -50's for example? Well, I did - by attending The Flawed Heroine session - on the book about one of the most prominent Hindi actresses Meena Kumari! What a life!

Panel on the Meena Kumari book: Author Vinod Mehta, in discussion with Rachel Dwyer and Mahmood Feroqui. 

The highlight for me was the book launch of "Women of pure wonder". With tears and laughter we listened to some amazing ladies who had very touching stories to tell. We listened to Laxmi, who at the age of 15 was attacked with acid and has now become the symbol of the fight against abuse and attacks on women. We heard the stories of the ex-sheriff of Mumbai, the professor, the sociologist, the top-leader - some of them making their path  - against all odds. And expat-in-India-me really enjoyed and learned a lot from following the debate and discussions on women empowerment. What does it take? Where do we go from here? How to do it? They could have gone on for hours, and I would have haaanged in there! Front row!

The launch of "Women of pure wonder! 

Nandini Sardesai, Priya Dutt, Zarine Screwwala and Indu Shahani.

After the wonder women session, we had to ease our excitement with some ice-tea and Indian sunshine, and then we enjoyed listening to the author Bapsi Sidhwa reading from her book Ice Candy Man (Cracking India) - and sharing anecdotes from the process of making it in to the Deepa Mehta film Earth.

Bombay, the city we lost! - ? well, we had to check out what that was about, right?

So, after Bachi Kakaria's book-launch, Charles Gorrea held a very interesting session, comparing Mumbai to other grand cities - regarding construction of new buildings, city plans, public transportation, parks, green lounges - or more or less - lack of such - and the impact that will have on the people living in the cities.

Charles Gorrea, Bachi Karkaria and Gyan Prakash. 

The festival has a lot of sponsors, and is therefore free of charge. If you are up for some love and romance (and violence - themes..?), and you are in Mumbai, you can still make it! It goes on all weekend! Today and tomorrow -  packed with interesting sessions! Check out the website for detailed schedule!  And if you are not in Mumbai, - well, then maybe next year?

I wish you a continuous wonderful weekend dear reader!

The Times of India Wall - the symbol of the festival:-) 

The Versatile Blogger Award - to expatliv:-)

So, we just keep the party going - my 1 year old expatliv and I! Just as we had landed after celebrating the Liebster Blog Award, my dear friend in Canada: Alexandra - with her wonderful blog Madh-Mama nominates us for the Versatile Blogger Award! Thank you, Alexandra!

Like the Liebster award, this is an award given from blogger to blogger. When you are nominating a fellow blogger, according to the rules, you need to consider the quality of the writing, the uniqueness of the subjects covered and the level of love displayed in the posts and photographs. Through this award you honor those bloggers who bring something special to your life - whether it is every day or just once in a while.

So, this is an award where I get to congratulate a fellow blogger for his or hers unique quality blog - a blog which has touched me in some way? Yey! I get to give a pat on the back and encouragement to another blogger? Sure! Would love to! And as an extra bonus: maybe even more people will discover their great writings and pictures as well.

The rules for accepting the Versatile Blogger Award are:

- Display the Award Certificate on your blog

- Write a post and link back to the blogger who nominated you

- Nominate 15 other bloggers

- Inform them of their nomination via comment in their blog

- Post 7 interesting things about yourself

-----
So, to you, dear fellow blogger: I simply love your blog! You write with uniqueness and quality. Your pictures has really moved me. Your blog has just given me that little extra. I appreciate you and what you do and therefore I pass on the Versatile Blogger Award to you. Thank you and keep blogging:

• Ameena - http://fancythatfancythis.com/
• Jahid - http://jahidakhtar.blogspot.com/
• Efi - http://creationspalette.blogspot.in/
• Joshi - http://joshidaniel.com/
• Pallavi - http://palulife.blogspot.in/
• Arti - http://www.myyatradiary.com/
• Karen - http://www.lifeintheexpatlane.com/
• Archana - http://feedingthefoodie.blogspot.in/
• Richa - http://subzeroricha.blogspot.in/
• Nikhil - http://aficionadolog.blogspot.in/
• Renuka - http://renuka-voyagerforlife.blogspot.com/
• An Indian Writer - http://writerletters.blogspot.in/
• Paresh - http://pareshkale.blogspot.in/
• Amelia - http://www.chaiacupoflife.com/
• Anita - http://anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/      

And now to the tricky part ... 7 interesting things about me ( this was hard... someone please give me questions instead... ) Ok. Here we go :

1. My blog has most readers from (in this order): India, USA, Norway, France, UK and Australia. 
2. My most popular post has twice as many readers as the next one on the list. Guess someone likes tzatziki... 
3. Together with my best friend, I ran a hospital for insects - when I was a kid
4. My favorite color is green
5. I can say unpleasant things - in an extremely pleasant way.
6. My confirmation dress was strongly inspired by Princess Diana's wedding dress 
7. I love late evenings,  -  never manage to go to bed in time..  

So, thanks again, Alexandra. I feel happy and humble, and I am grateful for your encouragement:-) I hope paying it forward will make the day for someone else too.

Oh, well, back to reality - busy days coming up here in Mumbai.
Stay tuned dear reader, and thanks for following!

The Liebster Blog Award to expatliv:-)

Yey! My blog got awarded! Thank you dear blogger friend Pallavi - Diary of an Indian Girl in Singapore - for making me the recipient of The Liebster Blog Award!  Unknown to me until now, - but hey - my blog is only 1 year old, so with enthusiastic childish joy we embrace and celebrate anything new and exciting!

I still felt the need to find out some more. So, I did a bit of research and discovered that the award exists only on internet, and is passed on from blogger to blogger. No physical award, no judges, no absolute rules, no website and no big ceremony (with standing ovations and the world press present). This is a reward you receive from a fellow blogger who in this way shows you that your blog is appreciated and loved, because leibster (German) means exactly that: beloved, dear, kind, sweet, lovely, endearing etc. Originally, it seems to be an award given to new bloggers - as an encouragement and to welcome them to the blogosphere. So, I feel the award says something like: Hey fellow blogger friend. I love what you are doing, and I really think more people should discover your blog! 

So, you can accept the award, thank the person who nominated you and then pay it forward to your favorite bloggers. I think it is a good opportunity to give someone a pat on the shoulder - to show them that you love and appreciate what they do, and also an opportunity to connect with more bloggers, and a chance to discover other blogs.

The rules for receiving the Liebster Blog Award are:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions given to you by the tagger plus create 10 questions for the people you have tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 more bloggers and pass the award to them.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No Tag backs.

Here are the questions I was given by Pallavi, and my answers (in blue):

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging:
- The joy of writing just for fun. And the people (and stories) I meet through my blog

2. If you were granted 3 wishes, what would they be:
- World peace, food and school for all kids:-) 

3. What is your favorite memory
- The moments when my children had just been born

4. What is your dream travel destination
- I can travel anywhere, in the right company:-) Right now: Maldives  

5. If you could turn back time, what is the first thing you would do
- To place Hitler on a remote island   

6. What is the song that makes you feel happy every time you listen to it
- Vaya con Dios' "Nah Neh Nah"

7. When you close your eyes, what is the first thought in your mind
- Right now: my sister

8. Who was your first crush
- Had a biiig crush on George Michael in Wham! Bummer...

9. Your favorite season
- Summer (so Mumbai climate suits me perfect) 

10. Where is that one place that you go when you want a moment of peace

- The balcony:-) 

Yes, I want to show some of my fellow bloggers that I really enjoy what they do, and I want to encourage their blogging by passing on the award to them. So, dear fellow bloggers, I am paying it forward - Watch out! The Liebster Blog Award is coming your way: 

1. Cindi - http://cindi-keller.com/
2. Alexandra - http://madh-mama.blogspot.in/
3. Jay - http://www.fromtheretoheretheblog.com/
4. Megha - http://meinblogland.blogspot.in/
5. Prasad -  http://desitraveler.com/
6. Asmita - http://www.compulsivefoodie.com/
7. Amar - http://amarnaik.com/
8. Magda - http://magdax.blogspot.com/
9. Smitha -http://smithakalluraya.blogspot.in/ 
10. Ms Mulberry - http://mulberrypomegranate.blogspot.in/-
11. Jeena - http://navy-blue-jeans.blogspot.in/  

I have to admit: I did not do tons of research as to whether you have received the award before, or on how long you have been blogging. I just simply love your blog:-) So, if you are in on the fun, here are my questions for you: 

1. What do you want your blog-readers to get from reading your blog?
2. Have you learned anything as a blogger that surprised you? If yes, what?
3. What time of the day and where do you usually write?
4. What is your favorite food? 
5. What are your top 3 favorite travel destinations? 
6. Describe one happy memory from your childhood.
7. Describe an achievement you are proud of. 
8. What is the best thing about you?
9. What makes you laugh out loud?
10. If you were the main character in a movie, which actor/actress would you like to play your role?

Thank you again Pallavi! It felt lovely to receive your token of appreciation, and I had fun participating. For me that is the best award possible: having fun, enjoying the moment and having readers who like what they read on my blog. I am very grateful. Thank you to each and one of you:-) 

PS. And I am learning:  I just now added the Google Friend Connect gadget- follow us there:-)

All the best - from a very happy now-Liebster-awarded 1 year old! So long, dear reader! 

Children's future India - on Norwegian radio NRK

The 8 year old girl who wants to be a doctor. The woman who started her own vegetable shop. The female presidents of the self help groups for women. The 22 year old student who does not want to marry, because then she can not work. The expat volunteer:-) The proud mothers. The young girls who believe that India is changing for the better. The strong women who have created their own future. Today, Norwegian radio listeners met all these and several more in the programme " The Sponsored Children in Mumbai"

Remember I told you about the journalist from NRK - (The National TV and radio channel in Norway) who was in Mumbai?  Like most people she left the city filled with impressions. She has now turned her impressions in to radio programs. Some weeks ago "Along the streets of Mumbai" was sent, and today we met " The Sponsored Children in Mumbai".

The listeners was brought to the pipeline slum. They could hear the children talking about their future dreams, they young girls telling about how the sponsorship enabled them to stay in school and the women explaining how just a little support can help them make a living for themselves and make sure their children stay in school. The NGO Children's Future India / Fadderbarnas fremtid works here. Almost 300 children from low-income families are enrolled in a sponsorship programme and receive support from sponsors abroad. In the programme we meet some of the children and their parents. I talked about the volunteer work I do, and the Head of the NGO explained how our focus help for self-help works. How to make it possible for families to keep their children in school and how to help women make a living for themselves.

You can listen to the programme at NRK - Ekko - (Find and press the "Ekko" link and then the programme named 09.04 (09:03-10:00). "Our" part of the programme starts about half way in.) It is in Norwegian...

And by the way. I told you about the birth of our small library, right? Well, I am happy to tell you that it is still up and running, and growing fast and strong! Most pupils in Indian school have started their summer vacation now, but that does not mean that they hang around being bored. Oh No! They were sooo exited and happy to tell me that Summer Vacation now means that they can read even more books from the library and they want more time with me doing a lot of extra classes! Yey - for summer vacation:-)
Stay tuned dear reader!

Yeeey Summer! More time for reading and doing extra classes!! 

On radio: "Gatelangs in Mumbai"

Dear reader,
I hope you have had a nice start of your week? Nothing like Mondays eh? A new fresh week with days lined up in front of us. I remember when I first came to India last year. Coming from a busy life with a full time job, I was terrified that I would just sit around doing nothing, so I signed up for all activities I could possibly find!

Well, I had to make some priorities along the way, and now I just feel lucky that I have this possibility - to choose, to fill my own days, to make my weeks. To write, to work with what I like. And believe me: no need to sit around and be bored in Mumbai! Here in Powai we have a very active network and a lot of activities going on. Today we had the monthly coffee morning, and this month I was hosting: so as I watched all these lovely ladies, from all over the world, filling up my living room, it just struck me again:  How lucky I am to get to know all these amazing ladies. It is such an exciting international world we are a part of!

Later today, I was sitting preparing the Basic English class where I'll go tomorrow. You see, readers, I am so excited because so many positive things are happening there and I enjoy to be a part of what they are doing. And you might remember that last month there was a journalist from Norway with me to the slumhutarea? Well, I guess she was a bit overwhelmed by all the impressions she got in Mumbai. So, the days she stayed here, actually led out to more than one radio programme.

The first one went on air 28.02, and is a really nice general - along-the-streets-in-Mumbai - story. You can listen to it: Ekko: Gatelangs i Mumbai (along the streets in Mumbai) on the webpages of NRK. You need to find Ekko. And: Then klick at: 28.02 (17:30 - 18:00) . It's in Norwegian, but the sound and feeling of the city will be familiar also to the non-Norwegian speakers. I will let you know when the next programmes will be sent, and in the meantime: I hope you enjoy this one.

And I tell you: if you are not in Mumbai: listening to the programme will really make you feel that you are here!

Have a wonderful week! Good evening, and stay tuned:-)

.  

Priyanka and her dream

Dear reader,
Today my plan was to blog about Back to the 80's - The Paaarty and boogie with you down memory lane - in company with Wham, Limahl and Cindy Lauper. But then I have had something else on my mind day and night lately, and I just have this urge to introduce you to theese amazing ladies: Manisha, Clara, Sumati, Kirti and Priyanka. Each with a story to tell, each with a life full of challenges, each with pride and no matter what: with a huge smile to share. And you know where I am once a week and you might remember I told you about the visit we had from a NRK journalist? Well, yes, all of theese ladies live in the slumhut area where I work, and it has made a huge impression on me to slowly get to know them, slowly know more, slowly be a part of their lives and they a part of mine.

Clara for example. She has 3 daughters. Her husband was a rickshaw driver, but got ill, and can't work. Clara works from home - making plastic hair clips. For 1000 pieces she gets payed 20-25 rupees. 2 of her daughters dropped out of school after grade 10 to start to work to support the family. They are investing it all in the education of the youngest daughter Kirti who is 16. By making sure she finish the 12 grade and goes to study after, they know that at least 1 in the family can provide for the rest... Kirti's biggest dream is to be a bank manager.

One of the most dynamic ladies I have met in my life, is Manisha. She is a proud mother of 1 girl and 3 boys. She is a vegetable seller, a busy mum, leading a self-help group for women, and I get the feeling that she is the one really holding it all together. All her kids go to school, and she wants them all to finish their education and get good jobs. Her youngest daughter Tara who is 8, proudly announce that she is going to be a doctor when she grows up. Manisha has no doubt in her mind that her daughter will get there. 

And then there is Priyanka.

Priyanka is 17 years old. She is finishing 12 grade this year, and wants to be a dance choreographer. She goes to school six days a week. She gets up at 05.00 every day, and her last class finish at 21.00 in the evening. Her eyes shine when she talks about music and dancing. Her whole face lits up. That is her passion and her dream for herself and her life. Her mother Sumati is supporting her daughter 100% , and she has a story of her own. She used to work as a maid, but managed to study part time, and is now working as a social worker which is what she studied to be. She is very proud of herself and of her daughter.

All theese ladies and girls have in common that they have been sponsored, meaning that their expenses for education, clothes and nutricion has been covered. Clara says that her youngest daughter would have had to quit school to get a job too, if she had not been sponsored.

And what a thought, dear reader. For a small amount every month you can secure that Prianka or Tara or some other child will complete their education. The best investment there is, I would say.

Be the change you want to see in the world!

Check out:
Children's Future India
and
For sponsoring a child

Dynamic mums in the self-help group for women.

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With NRK in the Mumbai slum

Dear reader,
When I sometime in the future will leave India, I think one of my most dear memory will be of the kids whom I meet with once a week in the slumhut area where I work as a volunteer. Remember, I told you about them? Today I was also there, but it was not just an ordinary day, because today I spent my time there with a radiojournalist from my home country Norway. (NRK = Norwegian National tv/radio). She is going to cover, amongst other themes, our project in the slumhut area with main focus on education.
She met with my co-workers at the office and I also told about my volunteer work. She talked to several mothers, met with pupils and students and visited the homes of some of the families. I think she enjoyed the open and honesty talks, and the friendlyness and interest she was met with. I was impressed with how she did her work; she really got the people to tell their stories, and with a gentle smile and genuine interest. And exiting stories it is! I'll try to let you know when it is on air, so we can share the stories with you too. Here are some moments from my day with NRK.

Talks with some of the mums - at the CFI office. 

Great talks on challenges,education, hopes and dreams for the future with teenage girls who are all studying in university/college.

She wants to be a doctor when she grows up.

Then we all went for a tour in the neighborhood, to visit the homes of some families

Theese ladies are part of a self-help group for women in the community

Some of the houses in the community

Well, dear reader, a memorable day indeed. My hope is that publicity like this may lead to a rise in the number of sponsors from my home country. By going to this community every week I see how much the sponsorship can mean to some families, and it enables them to get their children through school. It can really make a difference. A good feeling.

Good evening from Mumbai dear reader!