LONDON, UK
Golden Reign?
The neo-Elizabethan Age reached its golden jubilee over a weekend that extended in Britain all the way up to Tuesday. A rock concert brought back such past magicians as Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. Her Majesty let off a rocket that marked the lighting of 2,000 beacons worldwide. All of Britain seemed to sing All You Need Is Love, the anthem created out of the Beatles hit. A long weekend, a long party. Beacons were last lit around the world to mark the golden jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria in 1887. This has not been a reign quite as golden, and there were some distinctly un-golden touches. Like an opinion poll that showed that two-thirds of Brits think Queen Elizabeth II is out of touch with reality. Like a report by the think-tank Demos suggesting the Queen step down in favour of Prince Charles. The report says: "...if the Queen lives as long as her mother, Charles would be nearly 80 before he reached the throne. Britain is in danger of replacing its monarchy with gerontocracy." Still this was a week for partying, not for parting.
Sanjay Suri in London
US
Wizard Of Words
For all those who are proud of NRIs, here’s yet another news to cheer: 13-year-old Indian American Pratyush Buddiga has won the prestigious 75th Scripps Howard Spelling Bee of the United States. Buddiga spell the decisive word prospicience—meaning foresight—correct to take home $12,000.
