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The streets of London are decorated with Christmas buntings, spectacular lights and bunches of berries, and every street corner is holly as music jingles — and one would never imagine that the country is now heading into a stifling winter. All the popular tourist centers like Covent Gardens, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, all the museums and shows are full of festive crowds — even though the economy is in recession, and will be for some time.
The rising cost of living is starting to pinch pockets and nurses are the first to announce their intention to strike until their pay is raised. This, of course, is nothing short of catastrophic because the NHS depends on them. One hopes that the government will manage to convince them as they seem determined to move on – followed by teachers and railway employees. Times are tough. Now, people who need to travel or have a hospital appointment can only cross their fingers that there is minimal disruption. December promises to be colder and harsher than ever, especially with rising fuel bills.
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However, one community whose sentiments are definitely not dampened are those of Indian origin. All this speaks volumes for him – only because Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken over. All difficulties become trivial as each continues to regard his rise as a personal achievement. The enthusiasm is not dead. There are lots of gatherings, award ceremonies and parties — where people pat each other on the back and talk about their thrill of having an Asian at the helm. They all go back to colonial times (although most of them grew up when the colonies got their independence) and feel somehow ‘reversed’ by what happened. Maybe in a small way, but I can see the sparkle in their eyes!
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Not that the Sunak administration is having an easy time – in addition to the strike, unease is also growing in the Tory Party, as the fiscal plan laid out by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and PM Rishi Sunak may have stabilized the markets but has not pleased the country or the party. While they have spread the pain of paying more taxes on the big earners – they have also brought in more tax structures. And Sunak-Hunt is talking about tough times ahead for everyone. Naturally if inflation is rising, for a number of reasons – particularly the high cost of fuel – the chancellor can do little. But perhaps when the pound sank after the disastrous Liz Truss “mini budget”, people (including those in the Tory party) were “hunting” for a silver lining. It’s not visible yet — so now everyone’s worried that the higher cost of living and the upcoming strike mean more dark clouds. Some Conservative MPs have already announced their intention not to stand for election within two years.
And to make matters worse, Scotland is demanding another referendum so they can gain independence. It would be ironic indeed if a person of Indian origin presided over the ‘partition’ of the UK.
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Socially, of course, when things go wrong, good Samaritans step into the breach. In fact, now Indian charities are also working here, doing very good work. There has been a lot of talk of late for the need for food banks and even NGOs like Akshayapatra – which distributes food in India – are working in the UK, and we have also attended their very successful fundraising sessions.
Rising levels of poverty have not yet reached Dickensian levels, but hunger is certainly being discussed and addressed. Let’s hope things improve!
Perhaps the mood will change dramatically if England win the World Cup in Qatar.
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But one aspect that continues to thrive in the UK is the rich cultural life: theatre, art — and exhibitions!
Recently we went to the British Library to check out Alexander the Great: The Making of a Myth. Alexander – who died aged 36, having conquered half the world – was a personal hero when I was growing up – I couldn’t help but enjoy reading the multiple legends that grew up around him, presented here with objects. is From 25 countries. Of course, he became yet another anti-hero by defeating Porus in his last battle in India. The exhibition is filled with various texts written about him and his works – including the Greek Alexander Romance, published 750 years ago, and which has become a primary source for many later writers. Although it was born almost 2,500 years ago, it continues to fascinate scholars, filmmakers and artists even in India. So the exhibition includes excerpts from Sikandar, a 1941 Sohrab Modi film and another 2017 TV series, Porus. His legend has grown further as many world religions and countries have tried to appropriate him. A truly global figure – and no wonder many political leaders today wish they had his charisma and intelligence. Perhaps the impossible will he was taught by Aristotle!
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