Page 71 - LCNL Diwali Magazine 2022

Happy Diwali
Happy Diwa l i RAGHUVANSHI 2022 - 2023 67

Tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Lord Jitesh Gadhia

On 9 September 2022, I had the privilege of paying tribute to Her
Late Majesty The Queen during a special sitting of the House of
Lords. As we gathered on that sad and sombre occasion, I noted the
huge void felt not only by the Royal family and our whole nation,
but the entire world.

For more than 70 years, The Queen provided leadership, guidance
and inspiration to the people of the United Kingdom, the

Commonwealth and beyond. It is difficult to think of a public

figure who has ever had such a global impact. We often speak of the
United Kingdom’s soft power, and of Global Britain, but so much

of this was embodied in, and personified by, Her Late Majesty.

The worldwide outpouring of affection was reflective of a lifetime devoted to service and duty - a theme repeated
by all my fellow Parliamentarians. Indeed, these values of sewa and dharma are hugely admired and coveted in
our own Indian and Hindu culture and scriptures, and forms the basis of the Ramayana and the story of Diwali.

Her Majesty was a constant and unifying figure rising above the political fray and forces of division, providing a
source of stability and reassurance over seven decades of incredible change.

Having arrived in this country 50 years ago in traumatic circumstances, during the expulsion of the Asian community
from Uganda, and in common with many others, I have not experienced anything other than the second Elizabethan
age. For all the change and challenges during The Queen’s long reign, it has also been a remarkable period of
progress and human advancement; a period of improving community cohesion and greater diversity as barriers to
those from all backgrounds have come down.

The Queen was especially devoted to the Commonwealth, an association which expanded significantly during her

reign and now encompasses a unique family of 56 nations, united by common values and shared ideals. Those of
us who have settled in the United Kingdom from Commonwealth countries have appreciated this connection and

affection from our monarch.
The last occasion on which I was honoured to meet The Queen was during a reception which she graciously hosted
at Buckingham Palace to mark the UK-India Year of Culture. On that occasion, she kindly placed an item on
display from her own personal possessions; a wedding gift from Mahatma Gandhi, a piece of cloth woven from yarn
spun by Gandhiji himself, which included the words Jai Hind. It was palpable how connected she felt to India and
the wider sub-continent, which makes-up almost 75% of the 2.5 billion people across the Commonwealth.

These sentiments are also mirrored in reverse. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded The Queen
for her “dignity and decency in public life” and the new President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu,
attended the State Funeral at Westminster Abbey on 19 September 2022.

As Chair of the British Asian Trust, founded by His Majesty King Charles III some 15 years ago, I know that our
new monarch shares the same priority as his mother for the Commonwealth and maintains a deep and abiding
connectivity to all the countries of South Asia, and its diaspora communities.

As the new King assumes his responsibilities, and builds on his mother’s legacy, we offer His Majesty, The Queen

Consort and the Royal family our full and loyal support.