Johnny William
Aziz William, former Bishop of the church of North India … his life was a unique saga of extra-ordinary journey….like the Gibraltar rock which withstood the turbulent waves of partition, pain, family separation , but a life wherein every tragedy was a triumph .. .leaving traces in history. It is indeed an attempt to pick up the threads of his life and share the amazing contribution he made in Jammu society, his divine inspiration, true calling, and rock-hard commitment. The heroic role in uplifting the- mass of humanity from the dungeons of indignity, poverty, misery. He was a dedicated spiritual presonality but his vision of education was the foundation on which he transformed the lives of the less fortunate, victims of social injustice.
Aziz William became the ardent choice of the church of Scotland, for being the first non-white, to be given the charge of the Christian establishment which meant looking after the affairs of the church and the school in Jammu because the church wanted to expand in Jammu, which was possible only because of the great help and encouragement of the than ruling Maharaja. Least to mention was his educational stature which was befitting for the highly prestigious assignment. But it was the signs of the times that Aziz was different, a man of destiny, great purpose which was ordained for him. As being born in Sialkot, the train journey form Sialkot to Jammu was hardly 30 minutes but it was a journey from him which he had no turning back. He was to be separated from his roots, his family as he chose to stay put in Jammu after partition because his life and purpose was in Jammu and he bravely sacrificed everything that came in his way … even his family. The partition trauma took its toll on him, while all doors closed from Pakistan, all he could come to know through letters that how he lost his brothers, members of the family and his entire life passed away living with this anguish but it was only during the later years of his life that he could go to Sialkot and weep like a child when he saw the world change and most of the family lost. He was married to Lily from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, and the grave pain that he lost his three sons, the surviving son is the author and one daughter marrted in Kolkata .
After settling down in Jammu, in the early forties, to his profound surprise he found that in Jammu the mission school now popularly known as Alexander Memorial school was very much elitist, for the privileged , and where as his mission , was to reach out to the deprived , the oppressed, the Christian community in particular, which was victimized. The bold decision he took was to radically transform the basics of the school and make it henceforth for the poor and needy. This step was neither easy, nor welcome …. deep-rooted psyche of oppression, the parents saw no hope in education and resisted their children being educated. But Aziz William fought with all his might, Almost half a century of clarity of purpose, consistency of dedication, pain and sacrifice … his faith and vision of upholding the dignity of every soul … bore fruit, finally the trend changed and the evil defeated when from the Christian community particularly … proudly emerged doctors, engineers, civil servants and responsible, proud, useful citizens.
This path he took, which in ordinary terms, could hardly be inspiring, he had all the openings, options, to have easily chosen much more lucrative career tracks as so many of his colleagues had done it, and had made wealth, and other yardsticks of success. But it was the clear command of God, that a man could have the strength to take such a mighty task. The road not only less travelled but hardly anybody would tread the path.
He was not of those solemn, brooding, stern type of a High priest .But one full of mirth and gaiety, jovial, friendly, smiling. Urdu was his passion, and was from the same school of the great Legendry Poet Iqbal in Sialkot. He was the chairman of the Urdu society of India. He would be part of all the urdu poetry Musharias in the town and loved it . His sparkling witty anecdotes, couplets of poetry, is still wistfully remembered by the old guard. A Great Scholar, linguist of several languages like Hebrew, Persian and Greek.
A stirring orator, his English was the old order, typically British . For the extra-ordinary work he was doing, he began to be deeply admired and respected from people from all walks of life .The Administrative machinery and the Political hierarchy especially sought his counsel in times of crisis as he was a forceful voice, one of integrity. Commonly nicknamed as FATHER OF THE CITY, he was a friend to young and old , and a spiritual guide and mentor . Widely travelled representing the church of India in different international platforms especially Europe. When he was in New Zealand just after the 1971 war, the press asked him about the war scenario in Jammu, and he would proudly say how the enemy fled like frightened rabbits. A fierce Nationalist and being of high spiritual order, his respect for other faiths was well known, and in short, it was more of practicing rather than what he preached. His library had the finest books of all shades, and I have the pride to say that his most precious books I have taken every care to preserve. Some bowls are original manuscripts of 16th century. His beautiful Manuscripts, his works, Bibles are safely kept and I know he must be smiling up there. While he never could forgive the British for their atrocity against their Imperialism on our soil, but he would never cease to admire the British character even as a kid I saw him taking the British on particularly against their injustice.
Our house has been in a way an International destination where from all over the world foreigners have thronged. Even for the people of Jammu of yonder years during the life time of Aziz our home has been the hub of activity, Christmas gatherings, social events deeply intertwined, many people recall the past, even in those times there was a regular badminton court, and evenings were full of games and frolic.
The end came for him in 1989 on December 16th. Today is the grand finale of 100 years. His family is scattered globally. Even the mighty civilizations and the greatest of human beings have perished from the face of memory with the footprints of time … but there is immortality in the deeds of some people which instead of fading .. .leave an imprint. Bishop Aziz William will be gratefully remembered for his contribution. Even as the clock of time keeps ticking away.
(The author is IPS officer)
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