I see today that Google Chrome has marked in solid black the portion of its page where they usually put up some doodle or the other, and if you roll your cursor over it, you read 'Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022'.
I think Google has done well (remember, they are originally Americans, descendants of folks who fought hard to free themselves from British rule). I also know that a lot of people are surprised to know that I call the queen's death a tragic loss and the end of a remarkable era, despite being an Indian proud to be rid of colonial rule, and despite knowing that she lived a very long and very full life, and that there are so many ways in which monarchy has always been bad, and has been an anachronism for a long time, and despite holding strong democratic and socialistic ideas lifelong.
I can only explain myself at some length: every dish cannot be cooked like Maggi noodles. I won't take the trouble unless a lot of people express serious interest. Otherwise, as our wise men said a very long time ago, silence is golden, idle talk is not.
Let me see.
6 comments:
While I am not too well-versed on the subject to celebrate or dismiss her life and service to her people, she was a prominent, fairly unproblamatic historical figure and that respect cannot be denied. I may not have felt the same way about Mr. Churchill, but I would like to know more from you, Sir. Please continue the post.
Dear sir,
I was rather expecting an elaborative post on this issue. This post came as an appetizer and I shall be more than willing to provide you with all the encouragement needed for the lengthy one. I speak for myself when I say I enjoy the longer, more serious posts more than the short ones. When I read your post titled Corruption: how much can we live with? it felt very incomplete. Thankfully we got installment two, although I would have liked more posts on that particular topic. A good thing about your writings is that you never repeat a point - it is not redundant; it does not go bland in taste. About Elizabeth Regina, I would not say anything because it would be a fraction of your analysis at best. And the debate on the existence of the monarchy is a quest that I leave open to you.
I can only add the fact that the Queen came to our hometown in 1961 for the inauguration of the Durgapur Steel Plant and that Durgapur House was built so that the Queen could have lunch somewhere decent(which speaks a lot about us actually). Even the latter factoid was provided by you.
Sincerely,
Swarnava Mitra.
Dear Suvroda
I am always interested to hear your views.
Regards
Tanmoy
Sir,
I am indeed intrigued. As I said earlier, with your vast experience of Europe and the UK, I wouldn't be surprised at all if you knew the Queen personally. Do write more.
Just a few weeks ago, I was strolling on the grounds of Windsor Castle. It is difficult to imagine that she is no more.
Best regards,
Rajdeep
Dear Sir,
I am certainly keen to know your perspectives. I am one of those who has no fondness for England and its monarchy, more specifically because they represent an institution that colonized and enslaved us for two centuries. I know it is a strawman argument from someone who does not know history. Yet, the fact of the matter is that I survive by using English language and like watching the BBC. Therefore, I am hopeful that your historical insights will open me to a new understanding, and help me get some peace of mind.
Here is an interesting interaction that was published online recently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0BXTv3FQwM
With best regards,
Subhanjan
It was worth the wait. There would have been no point exerting myself for the sake of only five interested readers.
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