Arputhraj invited me for the weekend to do the dedication of the upper school - Betty Shelton's dream. Here is the finished school.
How I got there - from Singapore to Chennai (MI 436) and then driving to Valathi
Here is the foundation in February: Beginning construction and the finished building today
Entrance and ribbon I'll cut a bit later
Looking at the front of the school
The dedication was planned for 3:30 - time for me to fly to Chennai from Singapore, drive to Valathi (100km, 3.5 hours) and do the dedication. Here are the students patiently waiting for me to get my act together
Arputhraj and me
Me cutting the ribbon
Me saying something (not in Tamil)
The ribbon
And cornerstone. A surprise to see "me" and Ellen's name became Ellan. But it works.
Looking outside
Dedicating one of the classrooms
Dedicating the classroom
Dedicating another classroom
Looking out
Gifts of ceremonial shawls
Colorful
Me and roses
Students doing tribal dance
More colorful dancing
And more dancing
Dancing
Its all over and enjoying tea and biscuits
Last look at the new school
And front with Arputharaj
Our school
C. Frank Starmer