The Hindu : The Prince lightens the mood

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003

National

National

The Prince lightens the mood

By Our Special Correspondent

Prince Charles with the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, at the Mughal Gardens in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

NEW DELHI OCT. 29. Everyone was at his best behaviour and eager not to be caught out of step. So, it was left to the heir apparent to the British throne, Prince Charles, to lighten the mood, and he did so with a quip here and there while addressing the first all-India meeting of the Association of British Scholars here this afternoon.

Arriving a few minutes behind schedule straight from his meeting with the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Prince of Wales had a prepared text. But before he read it out, he took a cue from the master of ceremonies, Siddhartha Basu. Responding to Mr. Basu's introduction of himself, Prince Charles said he was glad not to be quizzed by the quizmaster, as at his age it was difficult to remember too many things. But, having been instructed by the master of ceremonies on how to applaud, the reaction to this off-the-cuff remark was a muted round of applause.

This remark apart, the vice-patron of British Council stuck to his prepared text while addressing the select gathering in the auditorium of the premises he inaugurated during his last visit to the city 11 years ago.

Highlighting the role of the Council in fostering ties between the two countries, he said ``it is perhaps in the sharing of people and knowledge that our relationship is so unusual and so strong''; the 16 per cent growth in bilateral trade in the first half of this year notwithstanding.

Of the view that the two countries should ``continuously reconnect'' and understand each other, the Prince said: ``Most of all, we must be active in ensuring that opportunities exist for younger people in both our countries to build personal and professional ties.'' Maintaining that educational exchange plays an important role in humanising international relations, he signed off with an acknowledgement that India has deep roots in ``our past''. ``It is part of our collective memory. It will also be a long-term partner in our future security and prosperity.''

The formal function over, the Prince of Wales got to take in the Indian sun at a reception on the lawns of the Council where he met another group `hand-picked' for the occasion. While others hovered along the edges of the red carpet — mindful of the clear instruction that it was a breach of protocol to approach the Prince who ``does not mingle'' — the chosen few had their brush with royalty as he weaved along the designated path.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National