Baba was in seclusion and not permitting public darshan, but people were anxious to know more about him. Norina and Deshmukh went to Karachi to give three lectures there on 11, 16 and 17 April, and Jamshed Mehta arranged another program on the 20th, which nearly 1200 people attended. From Karachi, Norina and Deshmukh went to Sukkur, where on the 22nd they delivered another lecture on the Master.
From Tuesday, 1 April 1941, Baba began another fast of four weeks: for the first fourteen days to remain only on fruit; for the next seven days on one cup of tea, three times a day; and for the last seven days to remain only on water.
Because of the unavailability of accommodation in Karachi, Pappa Jessawala and Savak Kotwal were asked to look for residences in Dehra Dun. Pappa and Savak arrived there from Meherabad on 3 April, and contacted Keki Nalavala. Keki had not yet met Baba, but he had come to know about him from Keki Desai of Delhi. Keki Nalavala helped Pappa and Savak look for vacant bungalows, and when they found one they informed Baba in Quetta.
Thus, the Karachi plan was canceled, and preparations were made for going to Dehra Dun. It was decided to go as far as Lahore by train, so the Blue Bus and Elizabeth's car were sent there by rail. Pappa and Savak were told to meet the group in Lahore, and Pappa was also instructed to find and keep a boy ready for Baba to work with when he arrived in Lahore.
A third class railway compartment was reserved, and after finishing his work in Quetta, Baba left for Lahore with the entire group on Monday, 7 April 1941. After two scorching nights and a day on the train traveling through the desert regions, they reached Lahore at ten o'clock on the morning of the 9th. Pappa and Nilu, who had been sent three days ahead, received them.
Pappa had brought nearly 60 boys, whom he had made stand at attention in a row on the railway station platform. He proudly told Baba, "Select whomever you like. You've no idea how difficult it was to find such fine boys!" This made Baba laugh, and giving a rupee to each boy, he sent them all away.
Pappa asked incredulously, "Didn't you like even one?"
"There's no question of liking," Baba said. "My work is over."