'Diversity Coin' A Paradigm of Unity

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom, has unveiled a ‘Diversity Coin’ of 50 pence on 17 October 2020, to celebrate the diverse history of Britain and to recognize the profound contribution minority communities have made to the shared history of the country.

- DR M. D. THOMAS

The coin carries a rare and brilliant message: ‘Diversity Built Britain’. The coin echoes the ‘commitment of the government to building a fairer society for all’ and a ‘fair representation of the contribution from all ethnic groups and walks of life’ to that effect.

The historic event was a wise and great gesture on the part of the government in recognizing and following up the campaign ‘We too built Britain’, which has been working for the fair representation of the contribution of minority communities across all walks of life. It may be noted that a great number of the minority groups are from South Asia, including India, who made Britain their home. It is also planned that the above coin will be the beginning of the series, in which Mahatma Gandhi will be the first non-white to be featured on the British currency coin. The coin features a geodome that represents a ‘community of connection and strength’, with ‘each section working together to build something greater’.

The scheme of the British government is a gleaming paradigm in itself, a paradigm of unity, perhaps in the entire history of the world, illustrating a ‘leadership with a difference’, edifyingly so. It is a proof positive for the refined sense of ethics in the elected government of Britain to have contained all ethnic groups and to have recognized duly their share of making the country what it is, without even the least degree of bias or considerations of superior and inferior, great and small or major and minor. It is also crystal clear proof that politicians have the capacity for rising beyond the street levels and leading the country to towering, global and reputable ideals.