What has the birth of a baby got to do with national economy? Plenty, if reports coming from the UK are anything to go by. I find the whole episode rather amusing. The kings, queens and their kingdoms were long gone in India before even my parents came into this world. I admit, I have sighed at the bygone era on visiting the lavish palaces - mostly converted to resorts or museums now - in the southern part of the country. But I also believe that they belonged to the last century. They couldn't have fit themselves in the circus that we call democracy in India.

But that's not the only thing that I find amusing about this whole episode. What is surprising is the claims that are being made about the British economy getting a much-needed boost because of this great news. Huh? Granted, a baby's birth is always cause for celebration and that the souvenirs created specifically for this royal occasion will result in a purchasing frenzy. But then eventually people will have to get back to their daily lives. They might eat and drink and make merry for a day or so - thus giving the sagging economy a leg or two to stand upon for a short while. But citizens aren't going to make big-ticket purchases or firms aren't going to invest heavily in business and go on a hiring spree just because William and Kate are blessed with a baby boy. Are they? So the question is will this boom be sustainable? If yes, how? And if not, then why is everyone going ga-ga over it?

The baby is being hailed as '3rd in the line to the British throne'. I smiled at that. After all, poor prince Charles became granddaddy before he could become king. :-)

I couldn't help but think about the late princess Diana. If she were alive today, she would have been a granny. Lady Diana, a granny. Wow!

But a baby is a baby is a baby. So here's wishing the newborn lots of good health and good luck. Going by the royal family's past record, he is going to need plenty of it for sure!