A day with the family – 12th May, Wednesday

I’ve just returned from the biggest film studio complex in the world – the Ramoji Film City. Having been invited for breakfast at the Krishna home, I went off with the two sons, daughter-in-law and young grandson for a day out. The youngster is a Down’s syndrome boy, and as amiable a child as you could get, with a wicked sense of humour. I have been adopted by this lovely family – I am now Aunty. As part of their ‘special package’ which had been organised inadvance, we started in a small bus from a spanking hotel, toured round the various sets familiar to most Indians as scenes from well known films, and swapped coupons for demonstrations of how films were put together, cowboy stunts, and a variety of rides. Another of those strange moments when a crowd of people wanted to be photographed with me. It only takes one family, then suddenly there’s a queue. This is NOT something I could ever get used to.
A huge lunch and afternoon tea were included in the deal, as was a swim in the pool. The little boy had not swum before, and only his Uncle Hanu could swim. An inflatable ring was put over the lad’s head and mum lowered him into the baby pool. Feeling this was a bit risky, I rolled up my shorts and stepped in as the side bore the legend ‘two feet deep’ I’m 5’ 7 and it reached my groin. Too late to do anything about it, I stayed in, pulling the lad through the water, getting him to kick his legs, pull with his hands, and letting him climb out and jump in repeatedly. I got out after a while as I thought I ought to dry my clothes before the journey home, while he grew in confidence in the water. About an hour later, on the reappearance of his father and uncle, and in a burst of showing off, he began to propel himself deliberately about the pool. His mother was visibly happy
‘Always they tell me my son is a slow learner’ she said, ‘and now he can swimming on the first occasion’
Earlier in the day a storm with huge raindrops had lifted the atmosphere so that the day had ended in comfort. We sat sipping our drinks beside the pool, the proud parents watching their playing son, as the sun set on as near a perfect evening as I’ve had in India.