October 18, 2024
It was the second consecutive year that the school has been invited to this event (which celebrates the day of Gandhi’s birth) and it provided us with an invaluable opportunity meet important figures such as Lord Desai and the High Commissioner of India, who specifically referenced the school in his opening address. The ceremony took place in the hustle and the bustle of Parliament Square, yet, in this frenetic, cosmopolitan environment, we were all able to join in a moment of silence for Gandhi, and present flowers at the foot of his statue.
After this, we enjoyed a personal audience with Lord Desai, where we discussed Gandhi’s legacy and his relationship with Churchill, the subject of one of my A-level History papers. Lord Desai’s extensive analysis of the legacy of Empire in India and the relationship between Churchill and Gandhi was both highly perceptive and highly relevant to my studies.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, we were promptly taken across the road to Parliament and given a personal tour by the Director of the India All-Party Parliamentary Group, and a close friend of Dr Handa’s. It was truly remarkable to experience the heart of the government and tread in the footsteps of our nation’s leaders along the corridors of power. Many of the students had never entered this hallowed building, so this truly was a remarkable privilege.
In summary, the trip was an enormous success. I personally found the experience fascinating – to have a personal audience with a Lord of the realm is something that I will never forget. We would all like to thank both Mr Mawer, the Head of History and Politics, and Dr Handa for organising the trip and providing us with this opportunity. It has given me a unique insight into my subjects, and I would highly recommend continuing this for future years. These enrichment opportunities arise because of our selected subjects, so I would advise picking one of the three at A level, as the teachers, trips and experiences are unforgettable.
By William K
