Oct 1, 20225 min read

Good Bye Ms. Lillibet!

SIGNING H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH BOOK OF CONDOLENCE

I begin this blog by thanking Deputy High Commissioner His Excellency Alan Gemmell Sir and his team for blessing me with a moment I shall dearly treasure as 'one of the most unforgettable day of my life'.

As I received the letter of confirmation to sign Book of Condolence, my heart first danced with joy but then a cyclone of morbid distress conjured my psyche, realizing the depth of reality.

In retrospect, when news of Queen’s illness at the Balmoral spread like a wildfire, worrying was not my reaction. I was garnered with an unprecedented conviction that the women who has survived the worst of storms can thrive through these ‘petty illnesses of old age’ very easily. However, I couldn’t stop anticipating the news of her recovery. I was very much confident that She will live till She is (atleast) 100 years.

This sense of hope carried on for around a week until one day I opened my main door and noticed that the light outside my hallway was continuously flickering. On and off. In and Out. My eyes suddenly felt watery and I couldn’t avoid those little tears gushing down my cheeks. I had no idea about the reason I was letting out those tears. Was it the effect of staring at the light bulb for a long time? Could be or could not be!

Then, I received an intuitive jolt, as a voice crept in. It said, “She is leaving”.

The same day when I first read the headlines stating “Queen Elizabeth passed away,” it was exactly four minutes after her official time of death.

Few days later I was I jet setting to British Deputy High Commission located in the industrialized district of BKC - Mumbai

Once I reached the building, I was guided to the sacred spot where the Book of Condolence, was resting peacefully beside a majestic photo of Queen Elizabeth II staring right into the mourning visitor’s eye.

When I was about to walk in, I overheard two gentlemen whispering in a quaint British accent. One of them said, “O there!” The other one replied, “She must be a big fan of The Queen.”

I reckon that I am a fan of Her Majesty and I shall continue to be proudly so, for the rest of my life.

As I seated, my gaze fell upon the messages signed by former minister, Consul Generals, and few business families.

I quickly became cognizant of the fact that I am putting up my words in same book as the international diplomats, NRIs and top industrialists of India. Even now I continue to feel very grateful to be at the receiving end of the British spirit of equity and democracy. The British Deputy High Commission has been very magnanimous to let me carry aan experience so profound.

When I first took up the pen in my fingers, I became heavy with memories and sentiments.

I was immediately reminded of a name. Ms Suhani Jalota. I met Suhani at K.C. College, Churchgate, one of the best media colleges in Mumbai and my alma mater. She was a chief guest at an event organized by Stanford and Mrs Rati Godrej. Shortly after our rendezvous, I saw Suhani in photos felicitated by Her Majesty the Queen for her social service through Myna Mahila Foundation.

At this point, I want to also wanted to be among the chosen ones. To confess that, “I met Her”. The Queen felicitated me”.

If not, I at least wanted to be one of those many people who can proudly boast, “She waved at me”. “She smiled at me”.” She visited my school”. “I saw Her from the window”. “She shook hands with me”. “I so wanted to part of that crowd”.

However, instead, I realize that the phenomenon of Queen Elizabeth II, for me, began and ended in photos. It hurts me to write that I never saw Her in person.

It broke me. But I collected strength and willed myself to finish what I came here for. That is, to write, for the last time, in the fair name of Elizabeth II, “God Save The Queen.”

For those who wish, please find my Condolence hereby attached below.

A crest of charm and wit,

A Crown studded with unsurmountable grit.

Devoted to public service, she is virtuous and wise,

Her virtues remain a proverbial glory to my common eyes.

A cultural icon : well-versed and charismatic,

Wealthy in wit, charm and poise, a personality so enigmatic.

To the young and old, the rich and poor, she is a generous treasure,

Her benevolent acts of charity cater to the needy in equal measure

Even in the darkest of times, the fair lady remained calm and serene

God Save The Queen.

Dear Members of The British Royal Family and Fellow Citizenry of The Commonwealth Nations,

It is with immense sadness I realize that my small ode couldn’t reach Her ears on time as She departed the realm of earth, devoting Her soul to the ethereal elements.

The Angels and St Peter in Heaven shall be so merry that God’s favourite child is returning to Her final abode after nine-six years of longing and patience.

Nine-six years! Of life that made Great Britain Great. While overseeing the greatest of creations and the worst of destructions.

A monarch in whose age democracy reached its peak, She lived a life of absolute passion towards love and generosity in words, expression and spirit.

Her heart became an epicenter of paramount devotion : to God and the countrymen. She kept a vigil through wars and climate emergencies. The trademark of tranquillity never lost Her.

While Her public responsibilities were Her timeless priorities, in every breath, tear and perspiration She bleeded with highest care and affection for Her near and dear ones. The privileges granted by Her fair name never got the best of Her. She rather marked Her life with legends of courage, lustre of resilience and unconquered strengths of modesty and grace.

In all the parts of the world, Her entrance attracted overflowing cheers of adoration and respect. We miss Her state visits very much which shall no longer remain to dominate the front pages and prime time TV.

The elemental pearl neckpieces, the sartorial overcoats, colourful hats, umbrella, walking stick, the glimpses of Her hand waves, and the signature smile, we anticipated in full enthusiasm, now rest silently in recesses of memories, imagination and dreams.

The influence She imprinted on people she met crosses the length and breadth of possibilities. I had a pleasure of an encounter with a sober and elderly Frenchman. He started out as a Butler for the Duke of Westminster when he received the golden opportunity of serving a glass of wine to The Queen in one of Her post-wedding receptions. His recollections of The Queen were compliments for a petite lady who was fluent in French and proficient in politeness, even towards a butler. How mesmerising! The very Butler is Mr Francois Delahaye, COO of The Dorchester Collection: who passed on to me Her legacy of gentility and humility towards all the people, rich and poor, young and old, who ask nothing of you but kindness.

At the end, we the people, assure you that while she is gone, She didn’t go alone. She took away a part of us. While a part of Her lives with each and everyone of us.