Long live the Queen

When one witnesses the pomp and the galore in which people congregated, one cannot but feel envious of the United Kingdom for having a Queen, who has stood by them for 60 years. The attendance of over 6 million people and many more across the globe as they joined in celebrating the Queen’s diamond jubilee, reminds us of the power the Queen wields. The power to unite a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and a multi-cultural society like England’s is but a representation of the well-entrenched institution of the Royalty. All this despite the rains which though are a trademark of the city of London nevertheless are potential dampeners for any event.

The Queen has witnessed United Kingdom journey through the World war, the Independence struggles of her colonies and the subsequent fall of the Empire, the conversion of Britain into a multi-faceted power, the creation of the EU and the fall of the Soviet Union. She has been there throughout. Change always creates stress for those undergoing it. But the constancy of her reign acted as the pillar of support for the nation. She represented an ideology which every constituent of her realm could relate to and fallback upon when times were changing.

Many other countries as elements of the Commonwealth of Nations that the Queen heads also consider her as their monarch. Such a form of constitutional monarchy, to sustain in today’s information age and that too in so many diverse societies speaks volumes of the Queen’s superior accomplishments. She has dedicated her life to the service of her subjects. Her contribution might not have been obtruse but just that fact that she was there meant a lot to the Brits. Several countries including India, replaced the Monarch with the President to overarch above the parliamentary form of democracy. But the President, with due respect, never remained apolitical. On the other hand, the Queen has resiliently stayed away from politics – not even her shadow! But, this never deterred her from supporting causes which were for the benefit of the society. Her steady support to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and recognising Mandela even before he was elected as the President, lent a strong credence to the movement. Such is her character.

                Others who don’t have the good fortune of such a Queen can only rue the fact. In India, there is hardly anything that unites the country without there being at the very least, two opposite camps. Even in UK, the situation remains the same. But then, they have Queen Elizabeth II. Here in India, to rally the country in unison is as much a chore as uniting all the nations worldwide for a common cause. There will always be some opposition to any cause, good or bad. The diversity that we are so proud of never fails to not transform into the Unity our forefathers envisioned. There lies the fundamental difference.

The 4 day long celebrations marked by the 1000 strong flotilla and the numerous community lunches, fireworks, beacons evoke a strong sense of belonging not only amongst Her Majesty’s subjects but even in me. For I long the genuine care and warmth that the Queen has shown all along. Long live the Queen and may her subjects continue to prosper. We can only wish that we too are blessed with such a charismatic individual or cause to unite us in our need or maybe just the fact that we are all Indians is reason enough? Hopefully!  Understandingly there will be people who would find the celebrations, the instituion or the expenditure not worthy of any practical reason. But for once let us look at the bright side of things. We are arguably deprived of such joyous occasions in India given the current state of affairs. This occasion merely is a balm. Take it with a pinch of salt but do not avoid the dish altogether.

Long live the euphoria!

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