Sweet Thames flow softly

It rises and falls, a velvety black spread of silk, with the London Eye on one side and the Big Ben on the other. After, sundown, when the o...

It rises and falls, a velvety black spread of silk, with the London Eye on one side and the Big Ben on the other. After, sundown, when the overcast skies turn a deeper shade, day activities are put to rest. It is then that this black flame called the River Thames comes alive, softly evoking emotions that only the rabidly romantic can feel.

If you are lucky, like me, you will catch it on a winter evening slowly coming alive. As the Big Ben strikes midnight, the foggy sodium bulbs dotting the banks blur another degree. Somewhere a lone guitarist agonisingly strums the last fading notes on his voluptuous lady, the late night traffic of party goers volunteering a background score. The Thames — London’s central line of force— comes alive just then under a moonlit sky dripping with a magic.

It’s a memory for a lifetime. Justifiably so. How many cities have a river running through its crowded centre? London, like Delhi, is blessed with such a rarity. Only, unlike the Yamuna, the Thames is stuff to be proud of.

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Maybe those responsible for the Yamuna should take a cue. Thames does not smell, unlike the Yamuna. It doesn’t play a part in a tragic drama that everyone wants to ignore. Instead it commands. Those here are forced to live their lives revolving around the river. And why not? The river offers them opportunities like nothing else. Cruises on the river are a money churner through the year. River-front bars dot the scene. Musicians, screened and chosen by the local authorities, vie for space on the banks, putting out their best performances. Jugglers, dressed to kill, entice the passerby with their gigs. What adds to the magic are the river-side and boat restaurants. For an affordable five pounds, you are treated to live music, your choice of liquor, an exclusive view of a moonlit river and a crisp winter breeze.

The best of London’s attractions are situated around the river, ensuring you never escape them. And if you did, there are the many web pages dedicated to the beauty of the river and souvenirs as constant reminders. When will Delhi start marketing the Yamuna like that?

London is also a heritage city. The docks house high profile offices like that of The Independent and The Sunday Times, with strict guidelines that no alteration to the existing construction will be made. The National Rivers Authority, in charge of rivers in UK and Wales, ensures that no construction is allowed by even owners of land along the banks. The National Environment Agency keep a close vigil. With a 11 billion pound budget spent over five years and 50 years of hard work, London has converted the polluted waters of the Thames into a haven of fish: 120 species. If you are from Delhi saddened by Yamuna’s plight, Thames will make you feel worse. The two rivers are perfect examples of the pride we take in our collective heritage.

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