After visiting many places in Germany, I came to Bonn from Frankfurt this evening.  During my journey by train in which WiFi facility was available, I completed writing my column due this week and sent to the Press in advance as I have a hectic schedule the next two days. It is very common here for the passengers to use their laptops and do their work.

Unfortunately, one of the Professors whom I wanted to meet passed away before my arrival in Germany. Tomorrow (23rd August) is his burial ceremony at his family burial ground in his hometown called Laga Lippe about four hours drive from Bonn. He was a retired Professor of Christian Theology at the Bonn University. We were very close to each other in inter-religious dialogue. I had given lectures at the University on his invitation.

His wife has sent me a WhatsApp message that the letter which he recently wrote to me in July is the last letter signed by him. She has enclosed some photographs which deeply touched my heart. I am forwarding them to you. I had talked to him over phone before leaving Bangalore and I did not expect that this sad incident would occur before my arrival though he had some health issues. 

His wife has also written to me that her husband was very eager to see me and talk to me. And that he had two photographs on the wall of his bedroom at the pillow side - one photo of his mother and another one of mine.….!

I extended my stay in Germany in order to participate in the burial ceremony, pay my respects to the departed Soul and console the family members.

I will be leaving Frankfurt the next day noon and arriving in Bangalore on the 24th August midnight.

- Taralabalu Swamiji