LONDON: British Indians were grief stricken by the Queen’s unexpected death on Thursday. Tributes poured in from across the diaspora.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London — known as Neasden Temple — issued a statement saying: “Her Majesty will be warmly remembered as a dedicated leader who upheld public duty to its fullest. The Queen, through humility and courage, inspired the UK and 56 Commonwealth nations. She injected vigour and vitality to the British monarchy. Her longevity of leadership provided comfort and assurance, which will be forever honoured not only here in the UK but around the world.”
The Indian National Student Association UK said: “We join the nation in mourning the loss. May her soul attain Peace. Om Shanthi.”
The Hindu Forum Britain sent its deepest sympathies to the royal family, saying, “Everyone around the world respected her, and her dignity and grace were unmatched.”
Lord Singh of Wimbledon, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, wrote a letter to King Charles III in which he recalled accompanying the queen during her first visit to a gurdwara in Leicester in 2002. “Her Majesty’s commitment to the service of others, contribution to society and humility in all she did, are qualities that Sikhs aspire to embody in their lives. Sikhs will always remember her with love and affection,” he wrote.
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of Sikh Federation (UK) said: “We are deeply saddened at the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. She has overseen so much change and struggle in the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the country.”
The Overseas Friends of BJP UK tweeted: “OFBJPUK with the Indian diaspora in the UK expresses condolences to the Royal Family and British people for the sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II.”
Ashish Popat, from Indians Voice UK, said: “The Indian diaspora is as upset as any other British person by the Queen’s death. There are so many British Indians who have accepted honours from the Queen, who have happily accepted the recognition. As a community we believe in karmabhumi — we always remain faithful to the place we work and we look to the future and forget about the past. The Queen promoted diversity and British Indians were appreciated and accepted by the Royal Family. The Queen even went to Jallianwala Bagh.”
Conservative Friends of India issued a statement saying, “Her Majesty has been the nation’s figurehead throughout some of history’s darkest and most joyous moments, our constant in a world of perpetual change. It is with immense gratitude and sorrow we bid her farewell.”
The Friends of India Society International UK tweeted it was “deeply saddened” by the news and that the Queen’s modesty, self-sacrifice and commitment are revered worldwide . “Indian diaspora joins the nation in mourning this great loss.”
Kapil Dudakia, a socio-political analyst based in the UK, said: “We are all British nationals and so our allegiance is to the nation and the head of the nation was the Queen. Whilst legacy issues related to Britain’s imperial past need to be resolved, today we as a people must come together and honour a great head of state, and also lend our support to His Majesty at this most challenging time.”
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London — known as Neasden Temple — issued a statement saying: “Her Majesty will be warmly remembered as a dedicated leader who upheld public duty to its fullest. The Queen, through humility and courage, inspired the UK and 56 Commonwealth nations. She injected vigour and vitality to the British monarchy. Her longevity of leadership provided comfort and assurance, which will be forever honoured not only here in the UK but around the world.”
The Indian National Student Association UK said: “We join the nation in mourning the loss. May her soul attain Peace. Om Shanthi.”
The Hindu Forum Britain sent its deepest sympathies to the royal family, saying, “Everyone around the world respected her, and her dignity and grace were unmatched.”
Lord Singh of Wimbledon, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, wrote a letter to King Charles III in which he recalled accompanying the queen during her first visit to a gurdwara in Leicester in 2002. “Her Majesty’s commitment to the service of others, contribution to society and humility in all she did, are qualities that Sikhs aspire to embody in their lives. Sikhs will always remember her with love and affection,” he wrote.
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of Sikh Federation (UK) said: “We are deeply saddened at the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. She has overseen so much change and struggle in the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the country.”
The Overseas Friends of BJP UK tweeted: “OFBJPUK with the Indian diaspora in the UK expresses condolences to the Royal Family and British people for the sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II.”
Ashish Popat, from Indians Voice UK, said: “The Indian diaspora is as upset as any other British person by the Queen’s death. There are so many British Indians who have accepted honours from the Queen, who have happily accepted the recognition. As a community we believe in karmabhumi — we always remain faithful to the place we work and we look to the future and forget about the past. The Queen promoted diversity and British Indians were appreciated and accepted by the Royal Family. The Queen even went to Jallianwala Bagh.”
Conservative Friends of India issued a statement saying, “Her Majesty has been the nation’s figurehead throughout some of history’s darkest and most joyous moments, our constant in a world of perpetual change. It is with immense gratitude and sorrow we bid her farewell.”
The Friends of India Society International UK tweeted it was “deeply saddened” by the news and that the Queen’s modesty, self-sacrifice and commitment are revered worldwide . “Indian diaspora joins the nation in mourning this great loss.”
Kapil Dudakia, a socio-political analyst based in the UK, said: “We are all British nationals and so our allegiance is to the nation and the head of the nation was the Queen. Whilst legacy issues related to Britain’s imperial past need to be resolved, today we as a people must come together and honour a great head of state, and also lend our support to His Majesty at this most challenging time.”