Mediation Centre Inauguration

On Monday, after I gave a 3 day mediation training, People’s Watch inaugurated its Mediation Centre – a major project they’ve been wanting to launch for some time – with a top justice of the Tamil Nadu High Court coming to cut the ribbon. To my surprise I was a star participant – the American lawyer with 35 years’ experience, come to train the Indian human rights advocates, so appreciated, etc etc. The ceremony started a mere 50 minutes late, considered basically on time, with all of us milling about while we waited for the judges to appear. Little pots of ground sandalwood and poppy petals for putting bindi spots on the forehead are part of the ceremony preparation. So sure, put one on my forehead too, especially after being told the sandalwood is cooling, which it is. The judges arrived, cut the ribbon, the important people went into the director’s office for cake, sweet tea, a tour of the offices, then to the auditorium sort of place with everyone there for the speeches, two hours of Tamil, including many mentions of “Madam Laura” (or just plain “Madam”) including Madam presenting Justice Akbar Ali (a lovely man) with a gift. So here I’m posting 2 photos of me – at the cake moment (I passed on the cake, drank the tea), and just after the gift giving. See the bindi, see the outfit. See the next post about the clothing.