标签： Asia

The enduring legacy of Dr. Ruth V. Hemenway, a pioneering US missionary doctor who dedicated her life to serving the Chinese people during one of the nation’s most tumultuous periods, has been commemorated on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Dr. Hemenway, who arrived in China in 1924, played a pivotal role in addressing the dire lack of medical resources and facilities during Japan’s brutal wartime occupation. Her unwavering commitment to saving lives amidst widespread atrocities, including bombings, looting, and violence, has left an indelible mark on Chinese history. Born in 1894 in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, Dr. Hemenway pursued her medical education at Tufts Medical School, graduating in 1921. Inspired by her missionary calling, she embarked on a journey to China, where she spent 17 years, primarily in Minqing, Fujian province. There, she directed a hospital that later became Minqing Liudu Hospital, expanding its services, establishing branch clinics, and improving healthcare access for rural communities. Dr. Hemenway’s contributions extended beyond medical care; she promoted vaccinations, disseminated health knowledge, and trained local medical personnel. Her dedication to serving the most vulnerable, even in the face of immense danger, has been hailed as a testament to her courage and compassion. Today, her descendants and admirers continue to honor her remarkable life and the profound impact she had on the lives of countless Chinese people.

A devastating collapse at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java, Indonesia, has resulted in the death of 54 people, with rescuers still searching for over a dozen missing individuals. The incident occurred last Monday while the two-storey building was undergoing construction. Hundreds of students, predominantly teenage boys, were gathered for prayers when the structure gave way. This tragedy marks the deadliest disaster in Indonesia this year, according to the country’s disaster mitigation agency. Rescuers are expected to conclude their search for the remaining 13 victims trapped under the rubble by the end of the day. Investigators are probing the cause of the collapse, with some officials attributing it to an unstable foundation. Budi Irawan, a deputy at the disaster mitigation agency, stated that the death toll surpasses that of any other disaster in 2025, whether natural or man-made. The victims include at least two individuals who were rescued from the debris but later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Al Khoziny, a traditional Islamic boarding school known as a pesantren, operates in a largely informal sector with minimal regulation. It remains unclear whether the school had the necessary permits for the additional construction. The search and rescue operations have been particularly challenging due to the manner in which the building collapsed, leaving only narrow voids for rescuers to navigate. Survivors have recounted their terrifying escapes to local media, with 13-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib describing the escalating sound of falling rocks before he managed to flee, albeit injured by debris from the roof.

In the historic town of Hussainabad, Uttar Pradesh, 90-year-old Faiyaz Ali Khan makes his annual pilgrimage to the Picture Gallery, a 19th-century relic of the city’s royal past. His mission: to collect his wasika, a royal pension granted to descendants of the Awadh royal family. This tradition, rooted in a 200-year-old agreement, continues to link modern India to its regal heritage. The wasika, derived from the Persian word for a written agreement, was initially established when members of the Awadh royal family lent money to the East India Company in the early 1800s, stipulating that the interest be paid as pensions to their descendants. Today, around 1,200 wasikedars, including Faiyaz Ali Khan, receive these pensions, though the amounts have dwindled significantly over generations. For many, the pension, though meager—just nine rupees and 70 paise ($0.11) a month—symbolizes a cherished connection to their illustrious ancestry. The payments are now managed by the Hussainabad Trust and the Uttar Pradesh government, with some beneficiaries receiving direct bank transfers while others collect cash. Critics argue that these pensions are outdated remnants of feudal privilege, but supporters view them as a sacred honor tied to historical promises. Shahid Ali Khan, a lawyer and beneficiary, emphasizes that the wasika is more about identity than money, using it exclusively for religious expenses. Despite appeals to increase the pension amounts to reflect modern interest rates, the payments remain unchanged, leaving recipients like Faiyaz Ali Khan to spend far more on travel than they receive. The grandeur of the tradition has also faded, with the once festive atmosphere of pension collection now a distant memory. As the debate over the relevance of these pensions continues, they remain a poignant reminder of India’s royal past.