Walks in and around Fall-2023
We met again in front of Old Mills and as a prelude, I usually try to spend some time reflecting on some aspect of life which brought us together in a particular place.
Remembering Adeline Whiteoak
The Jalna series by Mazo de La Roche, published in 1927 follows the Whiteoak family through generations. Adeline Whiteoak, a strongwilled and determined woman was dedicated to preserve the family traditions and estate. Her eldest son Philip is a kind and sensitive individual, his brother Renny is more assertive and passionate while the daughter Meg adds a feminine touch to the family estate.
Links with Benares house and the Harris family
The fictional Whiteoak family is said to be inspired by the Harris family, who stayed in Benares house of Clarkson, Mississauga. The Benares House dates from the late 1850s, taking its name from the holy city of Benares in India where James Harris served in the 1830s.
Earlier Perspectives
Discussions with Bill Manson-Local Historian of Hamilton region
At the same time, we have retreated from public spaces of our old neighbourhoods into the private spaces of our automobiles, the anonymity of our high-rises, the security of our gated-communities, and the isolation of our urban homes
See blog: Every Object has a Story: Bradley Museum Missisauga
https://prashantbhatt.com/2017/03/22/every-object-has-a-story/
Walks in Old Mills
As we walked in the early morning hour beside the Humber, my friend talked about the Czech origins of his mother, but how their family shifted to Warsaw due the troubled times in Europe in the time of the rise of Nazism in 1920s/1930s. Then she shifted to Ontario Canada, where she met a person of Czech origin
Following a family life
One of the tools of reflection on society has been to talk to families of different continents. Relating them to characters in literature and seeing how those voices speak through generations has been an interesting exercise which Tom and I have refined over the years.
Last month, he attended the wedding of the son of a couple he has known since 1980s. They named him Yukon as he was born there. This month he sang a song he had written in honour of the football team for which Yukon played.
20 years ago left India
On Sep 15-2003- I first went to Tripoli from Delhi. Over the decades, conversation with diaspora and relating them to discussions with mentors in India has been a growth experience.
For earlier perspectives -See 2017-September walks
Prashant Bhatt's notes 