When Boris survived a jumbo scare in India

One thing the UK PM designate, Boris Johnson, will miss while wading through political turbulence in the UK will be the tranquillity he had experienced while relaxing in a houseboat on the backwaters of Alappuzha, barring an encounter with an angry pachyderm. The year was 2003 and Johnson was in Kerala on a private visit. “He was one of our special guests for the marriage of our daughter,” said S Krishnakumar, former Union minister. He was also eager to learn the customs related to Hindu marriage.
Krishnakumar recalls an incident which had turned out to be more memorable to Johnson than the wedding ceremony and houseboat journey. “On the day of the marriage, the temple elephant ran amok, causing panic among guests. A few guests were injured. Johnson was in the crowd but not hurt.”
After returning to London, Johnson wrote about this encounter in a daily there. “On that day, I had told Johnson that it was auspicious for the elephant to run amok during an important occasion. Johnson had quoted this in his article though my intention had been to ease the tension at that moment,” Krishnakumar said.