Splendour of India, Exhibition at Queen's Gallery. UK

Saw a poster for this exhibition in subways (called the London Tube, or metro by some).  I knew I had to see it.  It was small and compact but ultra rich!!  Most of the materials were made of gold, silver, and precious stones.  Much of this was given as gifts to the British, by India, a country which for several decades --no centuries---would be called a developing country.  The money that the exhibition made to the British authorities allowed them to invest in more museums and put some money in research. 

Above is an ink well presented to a British official by a prince., in a shape of a peacock boat. All made of gold and precious stones.  But if you look at the following picture you see what it actually is. How much more than just an ink well.  It had a pen knife, a scissor, two ink wells and two spare nibs, fitted in the boat shaped 'ink' well--all made of gold!!

Here is a tool box that contains a hammer (placed outside for viewing).  This exhibition in general was something that makes you wonder, how much was stolen and ripped off from countries.  I remember attending an exhibition about 8 years ago in Singapore, where Indian jewellery and fashion was on display.  Hair clips made of gold and rubies, purses, scabbards, covering for braids (it was over 12 inches long with a hinges on the side, women were supposed to put it around their braid), writing tools with gold covering etc.  We were not allowed to take pics.  But here is something to think about---all of it was owned by some Sheikh in Middle East.  If I remember carefully, in Kuwait. 

Were they stolen and then sold? Were they sold? (doubt it)?  We will never know.  But we do know that gold was not the only thing that was stolen.  Material things are usually associated with much pride and respect.  People and countries who loose that also loose their self esteem and other things related to pride. 

Sure enough countries are now trying to bring the stolen goods back. some countries are actually going to extreme measures to retrieve them back.  Even hiring high level thieves to get them back.  

I will end with one of my favourite stories from the US, when I was teaching International Communication (post 9/11).  Post 9/11, I got to see so many great things about my students.

As a part of an assignment the first part of which was understanding a country, and its media and second part to create and NGO, the group representing China created an NGO that would work with locals and international media to bring back the stolen goods from Iraq museum!!  

Goodness exists, and we should never forget it.