You are not alone

It was 1981 summer vacation in the Sultanate of Oman and almost every adult around me was talking about the Royal wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

And finally I saw on Television, video cassettes and newspapers. It was a fairy tale with a real princess and with the absence of social media... there was quite a bit left to our own imagination. Was fascinated with her wedding dress and her hairstyle became iconic.

Wanted to know everything about her so did the whole world. Princess Diana had no choice but be part of world’s fascination. Maybe she never wanted it but that probably was the most intriguing part.

Years passed by and was at a birthday dinner, yet again another summer in Oman but a different decade and just establishing a career... so not a school kid anymore, when the news came in about the demise of the Princess. Smiles disappeared instantly and the sadness was indescribable. Did not know her but the gloominess could have felt across the globe. Once again for the one who didn’t seek attention, the photographers and commentators were readily available. The paparazzi became a key terminology.

The fairy tale had ended with a jolt. But not quite so. Sitting at the Oman National Museum, it is 2022, I was listening to Tessy Ojo CBE, Chief Executive Officer, speak about Diana Awards. She said, Princess Diana was known all around the world for her compassion. The award is her legacy and today the award recognises youth across the globe who have made a difference with their social action towards humanity. So in many ways the fairy tale continues. But most intriguing part was that school kid of 1981 could do the report on one of the legacies of Princess Diana.

The Princess had proven that it is not the titles that matter but the quality of the personality that makes lasting impression.

At the National Museum, the 'Not Alone Campaign' celebrating its eighth year, played the video of Princess Diana’s visit to the Sultanate of Oman with Prince Charles as guests of late Sultan Qaboos. Once again the school kid popped her head while watching Princess Diana sit elegantly at a meeting and later sitting down on the majlis with the ladies, listening to children and delicately scoop Omani halwa with a spoon.

What a lovely journey of memories and nostalgia.

Was brought back to reality with speeches that reminded us about the importance of month of May - month of mental health. This year being about loneliness again tell us how this feeling can conquer the mind no matter who one is. Feeling alone in the crowd and does not matter how busy one can be.

The founder of 'Not Alone campaign', HH Sayyidah Basma al Said said, no matter how many therapists one meets and how many medications, the will to change has to come from within.

So the solution is from within. To reach the will we have the ‘want’ and for that we must realise the beauty within the gift of life. Each life is important and it is how we shape and channelise life.

In case there are obstacles that is when a letter from a loved one saying, “You are not alone,” would make all the difference.