WASSUP DUDE?

Hope u r doing well. I am now fully adjusted to my country,city climate and food habits. The temperature in my city Bangalore is 34* c with warm wind. Night become cool @ 24*c. I have shared lot of my experience of UK  trip with my family and friends. My daughter is now changing her mind to have studies/service from Greece to UK. I  have seen the BBC-world news channel and  was delighted about hadrian”s wall lighting ( which was shown for few minutes). Hope you all have witnessed or seen in your country. please send me some photos if you happened to be a visitor on that day to this monument.

Not much to share as of now,

Go for Fairtrade products including cotton cloths and make our Agrocel farmers to produce more for you.

Bye

Travel back to my city BANGALORE,India

I had sleepless night due to anxiety of meeting my family members as well as making packing my luggage. Morning by 7 am got myself ready to start.Sarah called me and told me ready by 9 am. Mean time met Noika and we discussed about improving the banana yield in her country and  informed herregarding making their soil rich by making compost of banana plant after harvest of fruits.Due to anxiety not interested for Breakfast. Sarah came with Taxi to pick me up at 9 am and the taxi was very well and due to tropic he has taken in such a way we were reached peddington station without any problem. (London Taxi)

We travelled by the  Express tarin to Heatrow Airport and reached within 20 minutes. Sarah helped me in getting my seat number in the kisoks placed in the airport and see me off around 11 .30 am. Thank you sarah for this type support and hospitality and careness. I am really moved. Lovely people of England.After security check without any problem, waited for the announcement for boarding the plane.I was restless as the board displayed that the gate number will be displaced after 12.30 pm.  By 12 noon I felt of hungry and had vegetarian breakfast of Tomato soup and Hot chocolate at Giraffe restaurant. Announcement came exactly 12.3o to reach gate number 10 E .After paying the cash for the breakfast left to the Gate 10 E.

The British airways gave a royal drinks and food and took good care. It was 9 hours non stop Journey and reached destination at 11 Pm (local time early morning 4.30 am). After finishing the regular formalities at the airport came out and took a taxi without any problem to My home. Reached 6 am and I was greeted by my affectionate family (My affectionate and great soul, My sweet heart and loveable wife and my bubbling charming and affectionate daughter). I understand they have not slept the whole night due to anxiety of meting me as well they were worried due to my fault of not calling them over phone since yesterday.

Today at local time 6.30 am (GMT +0530hrs)we are ahead of Britain clock I went to bed due to Jet Log.

I am really lucky to have such a nice family. Thank you god.

Sorry I have bored you Guys.

See you with some new things in coming days. Do watch and give me your fed back

Bye

DAY 13 06-03-10 :Attended the AGM of the Shared Interest Foundation and tasting of south Indian meal with Group.

The day started with rainy, (temperature 4.5*C) as if the New castle is weeping in happy/unhappy about my leaving the place tomorrow.

Myself and sarah has been guided by Mr. Harry Palmer visited the Library, fantastic one(Like this I never seen before) with lot of modern activities. We had good breakfast and with the help of Mr. Harry used the Internet at this new library for my writing the blog of 9^th day activities and published.

Then we went by walk to the nearest place where the AGM of shared Interest foundation taking place. We were greeted by Mrs. Stella offered coffee to me and tea to Sarah( No doubt it indeed Fairtrade) and we were introduced by Mr.paul sharpe to their members.  Their regional heads from peru, south America and Nigeria shared their work experience. Really  lot of work and help done by Shared Interest has given to poor farmers and organizations with determination.  We had shared our experience to the members during the break as well as during party at the evening on the 20^th anniversary birthday of Shared Interest.

Around 5.45 Pm, Mrs.Kathleen took me, Sarah, Stella and charley (a girl with smile and flower in her head) to give treat me with south Indian dinner at the Queens Road Rasa restaurant, . After receiving one by one south Indian items like papadam, pickles of different kinds, Murukku , I felt  happy  that I   got Lottery  prize. Thanks to Mrs.Kathleen, Mr.John(Ex Lord Mayor),Mrs. Audrey. Ms.Charley,  Mrs. Stella, Mrs.Norma, ( All are members of Newcastle city partnership),Mrs. Louisa (Traidcraft) and Mrs. Laura (Northumberland university) and  Ms.Sarah Jewell. It was so heavy cool night,  I enjoyed my last day at this bubbling New Castle. Special thanks to Lauren and Liam for see me off at New Castle at late night hours.

Hope all are watching my blog. Please provide me your feed back to make some more interesting.

Bye.

Day 12 05-03-10 Hexham Middle school and Queen Elizabeth High school, Hexham

This day started with brisk sun shine, (of course the temperature was 1.5*C) , I and Sarah driving a hired car to Hexam using the TOMTOM facility was interesting. We are welcomed at the Hexham primary school by Mrs. Barbara smith and the Head master Mr.David Watson. I was literally unable to bear the cold and felt as if my hand is getting frozen suddenly for few minutes’ walk from the car parking area to school office. Sarah has noticed my situation and informed the school to get me a hot coffee   ( as she knows that I prefer coffee  than tea). The venue of our meeting school kids was arranged in a auditorium of the school which was once upon time a drama hall, so big and wide. Due to more school children, we were told to conduct Fairtrade training and information sessions  for 2 groups of students (200 each/session). It was beautiful to see children in different colour dresses age group ranging from 6 to 15 years. After taking cuppa  coffee, I  became energetic to talk to the assembly of the students. Sarah took the lead and gave them good introductions about Fairtrade and and products range and also about fairtradefortnight asking them to go for swap. Students of both sessions were quite and were listening and answered us regarding Fairtrade meaning and also shouting for going for Fairtrade. I explained them about India, and its gift of nature for producing any crop there. (I got shock when Mr.Lium asked me today (6-03-10) whether Olive is grown in India-I stumbled because this crop is not grown in India). After the two sessions , IU was interviewed by Ms. Helen compasan the Chief reporter Hexam courant) regarding Agrocel, cotton, Fairtrade and my experience at Fairtrade fortnight places.

Then we are (Myself, Sarah well ,Hannah Ruszczyk(school representative for Hexham Fairtrade group) to the Fairtrade party to the parents hall where the children were getting trained in managing the cafeteria. It was good idea of making students understand the hospitality and courtesy and also a way of training in making the cafeteria run themselves  in organized manner.  This is a new thing I saw.

I discussed with David about informing all children to take Fairtrade as trade and think that everybody is human and help to get helped way, instead of telling rich and poor .He agreed with me and informed that he will do accordingly. I was asked to take picture with students at the café posing with a student pouring Fairtrade tea to a cup in my hand. Thank you Mr.David and Mrs.Barbara for the selection of this school which is a government school, a Fairtrade school. Best of luck to all Fairtrade students.

Then we travelled with Mrs. Barbara smith in her Nissan Note car to The Hexham Queen Elizaeth High school, which is one of the good schools having lot of courses. We were welcomed by the Head of the 6^th form Mr.John Hill who taken us for registrations and then to dining hall and provided us good lunch(vegetarian to me) again managed by the students. We are then taken to a big hall where group of senior students in the age group of 16 to 19 were present.  All youngsters are well dressed and attentive ( I do not know how they will be at their class) to the presentations of sarah and me about Fairtrade details and how the cotton travel from the field to garments. The programme came to an end  by way of thanks from Mr.John Hill and greeted with applause once again.

This programme ends my fortnight presentations/talk at this beautiful place Hexham, Lovely historical and old city. We were taken round by Mrs. Barbara . Amazing to see her driving at this age so steadily and who honor me and Sarah for a good break of Fairtrade tea/coffee.

As a token of appreciations of me and Sarah, contribution to the Fairtrade we were taken immediately to the JAIL and also under gallows (Don’t worry, only to show me). See how sarah under gallows ( as real (not reel))posing. Good to see isn’t.

We seen the jail all the floors and got information about the history and were taken to the abbey church/cathedral and were amazed to see this old monument .  Yet again treat of Fairtrade tea/coffee with toast of bread in a nice restaurant by Mrs. Barbara smith, joined by her Husband Mr.Peter. Sarah wants to treat me in a different way since we completed our job successfully by taking me to a cinema hall THE FORUM for a film “Alice in Wonderland”. Thus this is also a new experience of seeing a cinema hall and film in England. Thank you Sarah.

Having taken lot of stuff, we were not feeling hungry, hence drove to Newcastle using the TOMTOM instructions reached quickly without any hassle.

Felt happy about the completion of my job responsibility by the Fairtrade foundations (Hope I have done justice of promoted Fairtrade successfully with future citizens of this Great Britain) and also taking heavy responsibility for making even more care for the produce what we produce under Fairtrade .

I thank once again to all citizens of Britain for making the world a Fairtrade zone and making everybody to feel proud. Long live Fairtrade and our relations.

Bye.

Have you done More swap today? Tomorrow is the final day of FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2010.

SORRY I HAVE USED MORE OF YOUR TIMES TODAY

BYE

Day 11- 04-03-10 chillingham primary School,Sunderland college and Fashion show at University

The day started with good climate of sun shine and less cold. I was very happy to be with cute kids of Chillingham primary school with their efficient and brilliant teachers. The arrangement of making the children to understand the Fairtrade and unfair trade by the management is excellent. Students understood the difference in nice and quick manner. It was wonderful thought by the teachers to organize this play to explain the importance of Fairtrade. Thanks to the head mistress as well as Ms.Stella Carmichael (New castle Fairtrade council member) for selecting this school for Fairtrade, which is celebrating today the Fairtrade day.

 Then we have been to 6^th Form College, Sunderland.  A Beautiful and clean campus with good surroundings.  We were greeted by Ms.Laura Mitford, Enrichment officer and Ms.Jill Humphries, curriculam leader. We had good lunch at the cafeteria of this college. Thanks to Sarah for taking care of me by providing nice lunch.

The students around 40 to 50 in numbers in the age group of 16 to 19 were so silent and attentive throughout our presentation. We are joined by Shared Interest Ms. Ruth Taylor. Sarah made a quick and smart introduction of Fairtrade and their products as well as fortnight information. I gave moderate information about my farmers growing of cotton and my company Agrocel in helping the sustainability of agriculture and importance of Fairtrade for all humans. I insisted them to go for all Fairtrade products as Trade and not as AID,. This word was copied from one of their postures by the students about Fairtrade, which was very good and accurate. Ms. Ruth Taylor gave tremendous informations of Shared Interest and a film about their work. She also gave freebies of Raisins of traidcraft to all including me (I got two).  Thanks to Shared interest and Ruth Taylor for freebies.

By the evening we have been to a fashion show organized at the Sunderland University. The event was organized by Ms.Yvonne Ewington in a nice manner. Lot of stalls with Fairtrade products were displayed, were nice to watch. I was lucky to be there. I was asked to give a quick information about Fairtrade cotton farming in India and Fairtrade benefits to farmers and consumers. Thanks to Mr. John to help me in my presentation at the fashion show. Mr. Stephen Taylor, (Chair of Sunderland Fairtrade group) who welcomed all and gave a nice beginning talk . I was fascinated the way the cat walkers had Fairtrade cotton made cloths. It was very impressive and eye catching. Thanks to each and every one who has done this programme a success for the fairtrade fortnight.

We returned back to Newcastle with good memories of this beautiful day.

 

Bye

HAVE YOU ALL SWAPED ANYTHING TODAY?

Day 10. 03-03-2010 Visit to NorthUmbria University and Belmont Junior school Fashion show

Today we started our Fairtrade fortnight with a lovely and fantastic sun shining day. I gone for a short distance morning walk enjoying the morning atmosphere at Newcastle and had good Americano coffee. Kathleen gave a delicious morning breakfast. She took me to the Northumberland University by Bus. It was very nice bus and had good smooth journey experience which made me to compare the system at my place. I appreciate the system of respecting the signals and also giving pedestrians to cross roads, Also found in all area I have visited that no drivers of any vehicle blowing horn.

Ms. Sarah Jewell (Fairtrade foundation) event manager joins me today for the campaign at this beautiful University.

Ms. Victoria and Ms.Rachel gave introduction about Fairtrade and also about Fairtrade Cotton usage in Fashion designs and also about models posing with Fairtrade cotton. Lot of young Fashion designer listen my  presentation in a very silent manner and will be recommending and using Fairtrade cotton only in future. Mr.Doug Miller has ask regarding the suicides of farmers in India due to GMo cotton and  how Fairtrade farmers are safe with the present conditions? I answered him that due to our Agronomist visits them and also advice them on ICM(Integrated crop Management) using Biological, Natural and chemical methods of farming and utilizing more organic manure from the biomass of crops, their cost of inputs are reducedand for them assured market for their produce, hence there were no question of comparing Fairtrade farmers to other farmers. But to take the benefits of social development activities in Fairtrade village he other farmers also contribute. The girls have worked hard for past 6 weeks and produced beautiful cotton designs and were exhibited. I am sure that Northumberland University will lead in Fairtrade concept and Fairtrade cotton designs.

The Northumberland University is in a nice locality and nice new buildings and equippedwith modern technology. I found lot of students from other countries studying here. But what I found inside the campus, when I came out what I found was students are smoking within campus area and that too standing before No smoking board.

Sorry guys. Please do not smoke inside the premises of your University and that too ………………………….

Please go for Fairtrade products SWAP today and show your university shows the way to others in promoting Fairtrade.

In the evening Sarah   take me to some shopping in the central town of Newcastle. Wonderful old buildings with lot of histories and some shops putting boards like promote Fairtrade and we serve Fairtrade coffee and Tea, which was excellent.  Then I was taken to Belmont Junior school, Durham which was around 30 Miles.

I was invited for the kids Fairtrade cotton fashion show. Sarah gave initial talk stating about Fairtrade and its importance and impacts, followed by my introduction and information about Fairtrade Cotton from field to cloth. All the students were wearing cloths made from the Fairtrade cotton from different companies like People Tree, Traidcraft, Gossypium and Bishopston.

I was happy through out to see the kids fashion show which was unforgettable to me. I must thank and congratulate Mrs. Kathryn sygrove (Chair of Durham city partnership) for making the show perfect as well as with good cotton cloths from People tree and Gossypium. I must say congrats  to Ms.Helan phillips for making the show and arranging the kids to perform is intelligent and delightful.

We drove back to Mrs. Kathleen house and had nice chitchat with Mrs. Katleen, her friend Mrs.PatJohnson and Mr. Harry palmer regarding promotion of Fairtrade products in coop and other shops .

It was wonderful and one of the unforgettable day in my life.

Bye

DAY-9 02-03-2010,Visit to Haltwhistle school

Haltwhistle school

Wonderful  morning sight of snow  everywhere due to night frost, Mr.Niger Theobaldtook me and Julia in his CITROEN car Halwhistle event school, where we weregreeted by theHeadteacher Anne Ensell and Mr.Neyle Hurst. We wee taken to a big makeshift hall and big gatering ofschool children (may bearound 80 to 90). I understand that they are having some projects on India and its traditions and also on Hindu Gods.  Julia  gave the stduents a idea about fairtradeand Fairtrade foundation activities and also the Big swap informations, followed by my Fairtarde  cotton farmers and their way of growing and the benefits of joing the Fairtrade and the usage of Premium for different social and economical developments in villages. Students askedbrilliant doubts about Indian agriculture  comparision with British agriculture,to enquiring my habits,to different gods. ( I will be writing the questions of younger bristish future citizens asked me in differnet schools after returning to India). Thanks to the Head mistressfor showing different classrooms and introducing to different teachers and her interest for making this Government school for fairtrdae school in due course of time. I will be very happyif this school becominga fairtrade school, because, I may be the one among others  as instrumenal for making this school for fairtrade, as I feel lot of opportunity are available.

We are then brought back to Birdoswald by Mr.Niger.We are joined by ms.Rachel of fairtrade foundation (cotton department)and Mr.Joe human to attend the  Hadrian’s wall marketing seminar for exploring the  marketing opportunities of  fairtrade products through their members who are promoting tourism in Hadrin’s wall area. Beautiful photographs of Roger was displayed in the conference hall. My visit to this area gave me an opportunity to visit the ancient  Romen  fort , which was amazing.

Mr.Fairtrade man

Mr.Joe Humanhas presented in his fantastic style about the meaning of  Fairtrade and brand and why does it matter and also about coofee fairtrade before and after fairtrade in Ethiopia, followed by me about cotton farming in India and its importance of Fairtrade quoting case study of Rapar area fairtrade impact. It was very well acknowledged by thegroup. Hope they group is determind to go for fairtrade products including cotton  cloths in particular.

Mr.Paul Sharpe  of shared Interest, gave an impressive presenation of  Fairtrade investment for corporae socialresponsibility .

There was good questions about usage of premium by the fairtrade farmers and alsoimpacts of fairtrade on cottonfarmers.

Thanks to Rachel to drop me by colassa car to Kathleen house(he is meber of shared interest and also an active Fairtrade campaigner) at New Castle.Me,Ms.Kathleen and her friend  Ms.Pat Johnson took me round to Sailsbury and Coop stores and shown me different staking of Fairtrade products . I  must thank Mr.Khan of Coop to pose me a photo of 2 bottle beers with Fairtrade marks.

FAIRTRADE WOMAN

Thanks to Ms.Kathleen Ms. Pat Johnson and Mr.HarryPalmer for the company and special thanks for good Dinner of Rice and Potato curry. Mr.Kathleen  displayed  fairtrade products of all kinds in her house,worth to watch her interest and support for fairtrade. Thanks for this Kathleen.

Hope you have done swap today.

 See you all tomorrow

Day 8 – St Benedicts whitheaven school

The day started early with good sun shining weather. Our programme was at St Benedicts whitehaven school at Whitehaven. Myself, Joe Human and Julia Franklin (Fairtrade Foundation contact) were greeted by Mr Dave Skillen, the school chaplain, and the pupils from the schools steering group members of 8^th and 9^th forms.  I admired the prayer and the information of  moral of justice and peace quoted from the new bible, which is relevant to Fairtrade.

We were then taken to the Business school to talk with students of Business studies (Mr.Abdullah and Miss.Morin) talked to us about Fairtrade concept, its model as well as the benefits to producers and consumers.  We had an informative question and answer session and helped to create more ideas about Fairtrade. Mr. M. Pike, the faculty instructor /teacher too was involved in our discussions.

Then we were taken to Junior level 2 class where the teacher, Bernadette, was teaching about trade injustice and playing a trading game.  I feel this is a very good new approach of teaching in an interactive and fun way whilst demonstrating the concept of Fairtrade.

Five neighboring schools with pupils from junior level students aged 7years to 14 years along with St Benedicts junior and senior students came along to hear my presentation with very nice curiosity.  It was huge cute and lovely bubbling children.There were a lot of questions came from the students which was amazing for me about the cotton crop and Fairtrade  .  I was lucky to watch thepower point and dramatic  presentations done by the young kids  which was worst mentioning.  We had snacks with the steering committee group along with Mr.Keith Hitchen, Councilor , Copeland Borough Council who is a staunch supporter of Fairtrade in Cumbria and MrDavid of Oxfam,Dave Skillen, and Mrs Brookes . I wished the group every success to make the group go further in a big way and left to my another  Fairtade fortnight destination.

We have been to a beautiful place called Rheged Hall to attend a conference  for the  education leaders in Cumbria and Lancashire.  The conference aims to review the national development of sustainable schools and identified curriculum approaches involving the resources of NGO’s. There were enquiries to myself, Joe and Julia on  Fairtrade . The discussion covered such as  local sustainability as well as global sustainability.We provided the  participants in depth knowledge on Fairtrade concept, especially on production of Fairtrade cotton  by  Agrocel  with traceability of its quality.  Few school representatives showed interest to introduce Fairtrade cotton uniforms, socks, sports wear and enquired about supply of materials which I acknowledged.  We were picked up by miss Lauren in her Octavia car  to  her  house in Gilsland and provided with Nice Pasta and hot Fairtrade coffee .

The entire day was so bright like the start of spring season.  Thank you Mr Joe for you hospitality and nice driving.

Have you done any SWAP today?

I have done swap.

So do it right now.

Day 7, Fairtrade Tourism Day

Derwentwater

After an awesome breakfast provided by Jill Human, we four people (myself, Dan Morey and Mr & Mrs Joe Human) visited the historical national tourism spot of Derwentwater, with a lot of stories informed by Mr Joe Human, which was very much of interest. And we have been to the Lake Theatre, which sells all Fairtrade coffee, tea, chocolates, which after a long walk we had there (thanks to Mr Joe). Then we visited Booths supermarket and other Fairtrade shops in Keswick and was introduced the shop owners about Fairtrade Fortnight campaign, my visit to this area and also about my cotton. Today swapped for two packs of Green & Blacks Fairtrade cocoa, we will log at http://www.thebigswap.org.uk!

A special thanks which cannot be measured to young beardy English lad Dan Morey. In hindi Don means rowdy leader. A very sporting manner, and a very enthusiastic guy from the Fairtrade Foundation who works on tea and coffee and has promised to work on cotton also now! Once again thanks to my dear Dan Morey, he has been in swapping action today – his t-shirt is Fairtrade! Hope you all do the same.

Day 6, Barrow Fairtrade Evening

 

Swap Your Cuppa!

Barrow Methodist Church: there was a long drive to this place, which made the audience wait as we arrived a bit behind schedule, due long journey through the hill road. Sorry to the Labour party candidate John Woodcock as I made you to wait when you are busy with the coming elections! A wonderful group with a lot of enthusiasm, with a lot of youngsters, made this Fairtrade a big success, and getting more swaps in this town (especially more swaps to cotton). I talked more about Fairtrade cotton, it’s impact on Indian farmers, and people delighted to see how we have developed making neem oil as part of our Fairtrade cotton project.

Thanks  for  Miss  Rebekah Mills, who made announcement at the end of my presentation to go for more swapping for Fairtrade cotton apparels today as well as forever, which made me happy since I am associated with the Fairtrade cotton. I have purchased some Fairtrade chocolates after tasting some free chocolates provided by the church and Miss Chocolate Girl (Lois Kavanagh) which is my swap for the day.

Thanks to Mr Dan Morey for special spectacular Indian food which I took in my own style. And of course thanks to Mr Joe who drove me back to Keswick.

So, my message for you all who are watching my blog today, is please go for Fairtrade products, including my Fairtrade cotton. And please put your swaps on the Fairtrade Big Swap website: http://www.thebigswap.org.uk. Also please provide your comments for improvement of my blog and if you have any questions. You can email too sainathan.k@agrocel.net or sainathan@in.com.