Blogs from Asia - page 15986

The Final Entry of Nigel Fox dated February 9, 1948 ENTRY 43 -- Clouds of Glory The last thing I recall were his remarks about his watch. I left in a daze, feeling energised, euphoric, omnipotent. One of my episodes must have come upon me. I remember little of the hours or days between my departure, and the awareness that I was sitting on a bench near the train station in my 'English dress', with a sun helmet on my head. My mind cleared momentarily as I sat waiting. Still in my euphoric state, my gaze was drawn to an arresting sight between two vendors, one selling samosas, the other selling chai. There stood the little Sikh boy and his mother, the air round them seeming somehow washed clean in an otherworldly way. The child was ... read more

An Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Nigel Fox dated January 27, 1948 ENTRY 41 -- The Opened Scroll The Viceroy's other Boundary Force, in the Punjab, was not faring well. Nearly 60,000 soldiers, well trained and equipped, were totally unable to keep the peace. In Amritsar, Sikhs slaughtered Muslims en masse. Muslim women were violated, then herded, disrobed through the streets. After being thoroughly dehumanised, the frightened women and girls had their throats cut. In Lahore, things were the worst. Train load after train load of corpses arrived at the station. Each compartment contained a mass of human bodies with an assortment of arms, legs, and other body parts strewn along the corridor. As a train arrived, a member of the Boundary Force would call out: "You are in Lahore. We are Muslims and Christians. ... read more

An Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Nigel Fox (c.1945) ENTRY 39 -- The Moon Turned to Blood "I think I should like to meet the Indian Messiah," I told Miss Wilkes as we continued our conversation at supper that evening. "When I was in Lahore, I heard that he has the power to heal the sick and bring the dead to life." Miss Wilkes looked aghast. "I do not believe God works like that." "I tend to agree," I said sympathetically. "Yet, I was told several stories about his miracles. The people seemed rather sincere. Some of the tales were obviously embellished, but one fellow I met maintained that Bapu had saved his life. Apparently this gentleman had taken too much fine Canadian rye whisky and fell off the back of a moving train. According ... read more

An Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Nigel Fox (c. 1945) ENTRY 37-- Wonderful Counsellor As I update my travel journal; I must admit I was having a very good time of it. Although Miss Wilkes did not appear particularly keen to acknowledge it, we were becoming lovers (at least in a spiritual sense). We had spent several delightful evenings roaming the vineyards together, not to mention our excursions to the upper benches. She shared with me the most intimate details of her life. Most fascinating was the story of how she came to be associated with the Indian Messiah. The first encounter had taken place years earlier. At that time Miss Wilkes was hoping to become a nun and dedicate her life to God and teaching. As a substitute at one of Lahore's Cathedral schools, ... read more

An Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Nigel Fox. (c. 1945) ENTRY 35 -- Valley of the Blue Moon Enoch and I received a more-than-proper welcome. The Valley of the Blue Moon was a most extraordinary place, filled with lovely things. At the same time there was a magnificent simplicity about the well tended gardens, spacious colonnade and beautiful stone garden-benches. James Hilton who had resided in the area for several years had captured the essence that is 'Shangri-La' in his writings. Soon after our arrival we were introduced to our rescuer, Sister Hephzibah Wilkes. I was still in my English dress, with a sun helmet on my head. Here, I... read more