Right pressures on for the closing blogg..
Done packing (just fits!) thought I would start with a story I started on.. see day 1.
Shilpa Shetty, A local court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Hollywood actor Richard Gere and summonend actress Shilpa Shetty for appearance on May 5th. The court issued the order on a PIL filed by Bhandari, an advocate resident here, who complained that their public kiss during an anti AIDS awareness programme in Delhi was an obscene act in a public place under section 294 of the Indian penal code! He only gave her a kiss on the cheek, the news stories are saying it is degrading to Hindu women. Richard Gere has said if the AIDS awareness got as much publicity the world would be a better place!
So last day at work, had a presentation, you will not believe what they have bought me (Paul & Gina come to mind) it is really big and nearly did not fit in my suitcase! good thinking team, why did they not get me a little ornament or something, still it's the thought that counts, Sharon, need to get a plug adapter for it though!. Ravee and Srinni came back to the bar for a few drinks, that was nice to unwind and chill with them for an hour. They left and i sat with my new friend from Accenture, we finnished off some free Jonnie Walker whisky that was on offer. The guys all thought it hillarious they were serving Jonnie Walker to Jonnie Walker! got a very personal gift from them.
So now at 12.05 got 2 hours before car comes.
So India, what can i say, the books say it is a land of extreems, unless you have been here you do not know how true that is, hopefully my bloggs/pic/vids have given you a flavour. Could go over all I have done, but read the bloggs again, and see the DVD, even I cannot remember all the experiences I have had.
The work side was successful, now the most improved section in MyTravel in Xansa'seyes, team got thanks from the big boss Steve Weston yesterday, ended the 3 months very nicely.
I am struggling to get right behind the culture and people, I said how happy they all are earlier in the secondment, but now i am questioning that. most of the countty (80%) are in poverty, but they still prey to the Gods about thanks for what they have, there is a high suicide rate for young people, 1 in 2 children face some form of abuse in the family, so how can they be happy. I feel it is because there is no other options for them, Ravee said tonight he is earnig 10x more than he used to but he is still in the same house, same clothes, same possesions. They have different values on life that is for sure, we have to have the latest gadgets, bigger houses, nicer holidays etc but does that make us unhappy as we are never satisfied with what we have, worth a thought. I am leaving a bit confused by it all...
India went through a massive change decades ago when they were 'invaded'. by the british, french, portugese, chinese as a main supply route for trade, hence the British Raj setting up here and basically using the Indian nation as slaves. Had a wierd thought the other day about the similarities to that and outsourcing, what is the difference really? Western companies coming here for cheap labour, with good skills..
So I have missed everyone at home really bad, good to know leaving soon, but I do think I will miss the people, maybe not the place, although would like to explore more parts of India if the opportunity arose, just to compare with the Chennai 'bubble' I have been in, but would definately push for Sharon and the kids to visit to share the experience.
So that is it end of the Blogg, thank you all for reading and sharing your thoughts. Can't think of a good funny end to all this, maybe that says a lot about India.
John 28/4/07
Hi, first of all, I have watched the video John, felt really moved by it. Not quite sure, as you, what I should say, but just feel quite moved by it, the simplicity of it all, the mundane task - wonder how long they have to do that for, and for what purpose. 
K xxxx
Hi, have just typed up a long reply to this blog, and myspace bombed out, so now have to remember what I wrote!...
Thank you for a great last blog... for me this feels like you have been on a NASA mission and you are returning back home .., what with all the new experiences, different people/culture/diversity you have come across and with the web cam link ups it has been like a space shuttle trip. ...no,I've only had one drink dont worry, but it has been a weird three months for us all. The children and I have really enjoyed your blogs, as have their teachers, our friends and family, all are really keen to find out whats been happening. Although if one more person says "hasnt it gone quick, I swear I will throttle them!!"
I am very grateful to the guys at the bar, Tim, Graham and Steve for making your trip bearable and enjoyable for you and much better for me to cope with. We all knew it was going to be a difficult trip, both the separation and the work side of things, but having some good positive times with all of the above has made it much easier.
It was really strange that the children's projects at school on India have coincided with your trip and they have really learnt alot from you because of this. Tom now has an Indian project starting in cookery class, well he has chosen to do it on India anyway - they had to choose a country to do. He has to take in some food on Monday and has decided to make nann bread - maybe you can help him on Sunday!!
Well as I write this it is gone 3 am there, so you might be reading this at Chennai Airport or at Heathrow in the morning, we are all wishing you a good and safe flight back and wherever you read this John, just know that the children and I love you very much and we cannot wait to have you home with us again xxx