Introduction :
This is the essay I wrote for Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021. The assigned topic was “Imagine you are the Head of a Commonwealth nation heavily affected by COVID-19 and giving a national address at the end of the pandemic. What would you say to your community?” This essay helped me score a gold award in the senior category.
Here is the link for more information about the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition:
https://www.royalcwsociety.org/essay-competition
I stepped forward to make my speech, determined to make it as good as gold. It was my responsibility to give an impactful speech to my nation as its head. After testing my mic, I cleared my throat lightly and spoke, my voice ringing in the auditorium, camera lights flashing left and right, contrary to the dark night sky outside almost blinding me but I merely blinked.
“My dearest brothers and sisters- a very good evening to you all.
“Someone wiser than me, going by the name of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, had once said “The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have faced losses, and have found their way out of the depths.
“She is so very right.
“Over these past two years, each one of us, including myself, have suffered heavily-be it emotionally or economically. I am very sorry for all of them. Many of us have lost loved ones to the gruesome virus COVID-19, that had taken over the entire world and almost crumbled great nations. We all have seen the worst of the worst situation in these two years that the pandemic has lasted.
“Yet, we are here today. Standing tall and breathing. Hurt, scathed. But alive.”
I paused letting the words sink in.
“The pandemic is over. The doctors and scientists across the globe have worked as one united force and helped us solve this crisis. We all have been vaccinated and science has helped us come up with better medication for quicker and superlative recovery.
“Now we must rebuild ourselves and our lives.
“What does it mean to be dead? It means a simple change of worlds and to remain in the hearts of close friends and family instead of being in front of them. It does not mean to be gone forever. All of us have lost family members and friends, but time does not wait for anybody. We must move on.
“What does it mean to move on from the dead? It means to keep their memories safely in a corner of our hearts and make them proud by doing good to this nation that we call ours.”
I drew in a big breath, mentally preparing myself for what was to come next.
“I wish to tell you something very personal. This day is the exact day I lost my son due to COVID-19 illness. Instead of wallowing in misery back home, I am here
today to give you a speech.
“I did not tell you that so you could shower me with sympathy. I told it so that you can know that you are not the only ones encumbered with grief and loss, I told you that so that I could inspire you to go ahead in life in spite of losing someone. A character from a book may pass away; but the next chapter is still written, words are still printed on the pages and the story still continues.
So must we.
“I will ask one small thing of you-three ovations.
May we please have one enormous round of applause in order to pay our respects to our front-line workers-the doctors, the nurses, the medics and the paramedics. They have put their own lives in jeopardy to save ours. They have pushed themselves to the very end of limits to make sure they can save as many lives as possible and they have shed tears alongside you all when they could not save a patient. They have faced the same uphill battle as we have, if not more.”
I paused as the auditorium rang with claps and cheers instead of my voice.
“I would ask of you to give the second tribute to the scientists, researchers, pharmacists and the companies which aided in the creation, manufacture and distribution of drugs and vaccinations required in the hospitals. They have also helped us advance in terms of technology by creating ‘translators’ so we need not know all languages to communicate with all. And also, for our economists and Commonwealth heads for making the G20 COVID-19 Action Plan.”
Another round of applause.
“Now, would you all please clap for yourselves? These two years have not been plain sailing for any of us. There were heavy restrictions on socializing and traveling. Many of our brothers and sisters have lost their jobs and businesses have suffered hefty losses.
“There were innumerable times you must have been so frustrated that you could have cried. No living beings -be it us humans or birds- like to be restricted. We all are lovers of free will. However, you all have shown exemplary patience and resilience in following the COVID-19 safety guidelines and you all deserve to be praised to the skies for that.
“A good deal of the citizens started social clubs and services for those suffering-those who lost their jobs, those who went bankrupt and could not even afford the basic necessities of life and also for those who were unable to arrange funerals. They have done good to the country and mark my words they will be repaid for that. All those blessings that they have received from those you assisted would aid ‘good’ itself come walking to you because blessings may be verbal, but they work in heavenly ways. To be blessed is to receive the greatest gift in the world.
Plus, truth be told, my co-workers and I will eternally be grateful for what you have done to assist the government in taking care of its citizens.”
I smiled slightly at the thunderous applause I received from not only the people seated but also the camera men who held off their jobs of capturing the moments of the speech with their devices to join the cheering crowd.
“I feel so proud to say that I am the head of this nation, to say that it is my people-my brothers and sisters- who have followed all rules diligently with the air of someone completing a crucial military mission, to say that it is my nation has stood up and walked forward even when the widespread COVID-19 infection made them stumble backwards.”
I paused letting my Cheshire cat grin overtake my face, dimples forming deep craters in my cheeks.
“You have no idea how dear you are to me.”
The crowd of listeners cheered again, but this time on their own will.
“As I said previously the pandemic that has gnawed at our very soul is over now. I am as certain as I am about the fact that the living breathe, that you wish to forget its existence, that you wish to go back to the drawing board and start writing on a blank page. But-”
I paused consciously, allowing the audience time to mull over my words.
“I appeal to you, do not do that. This pandemic has been absolutely ghastly for us all. Nevertheless, it has enlightened us in a way we needed. It has taught us some exceptional lessons.
“It has contradicted our idea of ‘saviors’-by teaching us that our doctors and nurses are undoubtedly the only saviors we could ever need in the entire span of our lives.
“Corona virus has taught us the significance of communications and taught us the power of human touch that has been prominent in our society since the very beginning of mankind but we just blinked it over-never really looking deep into it.
Over the couple years, we have often felt lonely even when we had just talked to our family and friends just minutes ago. We just felt that video calls were scant. We just needed someone to comfort us.”
I paused again, feeling overwhelmed myself, as I thought of all the times I wanted nothing other than a simple hug but had to face ruthless denial.
“We should learn from these jarring occurrences and make sure that we at least visit our families once in two weeks. We should learn to appreciate the real heroes and not the ones who exhibit grandeur and opulence.”
I broke off my words again to get more air into my lungs.
“The fire of adversity came raging; we extinguished it. We lost people, money and numerous opportunities. Yet we are not reduced to ashes.
“Our future stands ahead waiting for us to stride towards it. A fresh bright sun will rise in a few hours. Let us rise with it too- with sheer courage and riveted determination. Let us have a new beginning because tough times like these will never last long.
Tough and brave people like all of you assembled here or watching at home, they do last long.
“So, let us move as a nation towards a brighter and better tomorrow.
“Thank you. May God bless you and our nation”
I smiled, waving for the cameras and stepped off the podium.
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