In India, the school goes well and the pupils progress quickly. The school’s staff grew richer with the arrival of new experienced teachers. The generous and dynamic participation of more than twenty volunteers, especially French and Quebecers but also Indians, British and Belgians, has contributed enormously to the success of the school. They teach English, Yoga, workshops (percussion, martial arts, juggling, sports and visual arts), and take part in the administration and the supervision of the young people. Returning to India after working on the fundraising event in Quebec, Agathe, Blaise and Mathieu Fortier, founders of Young Musicians of the World, were very gratified to see how much the pupils had improved in their absence, thanks to the caring and conscientious work of the teachers, the employees, and three young French trainees. Ramesh Kedarji, one of the first pupils, won the first singing prize at the Dharwad area’s Youth Contest in October – a sure sign that we are reaching our goals. In Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya, Winter was quite busy with multiple visits: the filming of a documentary by Gadjo Dilo Films’ team (from Quebec); the registration of Young Musicians of the World in India as a Trust (organization of charity); a trip to the majestic historic site of Hampi for the festival of Shivaratri; and the organization of a first annual concert of the more advanced pupils and their teachers that took place on April 30th in Dharwad. But the most outstanding event will surely remain the participation of Young Musicians of the World at the World Social Forum in Mumbai from January 16th – 21st , 2004.
