I've been gradually finding my way into my role as director of the masters programme here, as well as representing the Centre and doing other tasks in various places, notably this year in Rome and in Spain. But the real adventure -- and it was in so many ways enriching -- was a visit to India, a country I had never visited. I was invited to the north-east, the region of Kohima (where there was an important battle in the Second World War holding the Japanese at bay). A verse from the memorial to the fallen there has become famous. On a lighter note, the exercise involved also my paying a courtesy call on one of the local bishops. In itself this was normal enough, even if I don't operate very often at this level. What was more surprising was that he received me not only with the conventional shawl (I accumulated quite a collection), but also according to Naga custom, dressing up the 'very honoured guest' as a tribal warrior.
And though there wasn't much time for tourism, my hosts also generously organized a wonderful day out to see the Taj Mahal -- you can see me on the Diana step (though they didn't clear out the tourists).
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