“The Nation Is Divided, Half Patriots And Half Traitors, And No Man Can Tell Which From Which”

The build-up to the Commonwealth Games 2010 has been marred by construction delays, corruption scandals, dengue fever outbreak, the collapse of a footbridge near the main stadium and security fears after the shooting of two tourists outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid mosque. These happenings are very bad and nobody can deny that. However what is bothering me more than this is, that it seems to have become a national pastime to exaggerate everything that is going wrong with the games preparation. No time is wasted to proclaim that the games will be an abject failure. One athlete withdraws from the games and it is shown over and over again making it seem like majority of athletes have decided to stay back. The Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 has left a blot on the India’s image and the allegations of misuse of funds speak volumes of the inept handling of the whole affair. But the way a few sections of the Indian media has reacted seems like they are working on an agenda.
The allegations of corruption on Kalmadi or his aides should be dealt with and he should be asked to explain everything, but only after the Games are over. Let us first accomplish the task at hand without further blemish, and let the accountability factor be looked into thereafter. As of this moment all 71 countries have confirmed their participation and have begun arriving in Delhi. We Indians have a penchant for doing things at the very last moment but to say that we are not ready at all, is not right. Indra Devta (Indian God of Rain) is not too happy with Sheila ji, it has rained a little too much this year and that has made the situation worse. I am not trying to justify the delay but we can’t ignore that aspect.
Whatever shortfalls there were, are being removed and after the assurance given by GOI the matter should rest. Simply spreading negativity isn’t the answer and we all need to try and support India in ensuring the success of the games. About security issues, we can and have managed that and the proof is that we have organised cricket world cups and IPL tournaments successfully. Athlete Dani Samuel was ‘too stressed to compete’ when she heard about a shooting in Delhi. If she  finds about the rate of stabbings or shootings in London, she won’t be at the 2012 Olympics.
Indian masses will take care of the politicians in their own way as and when they have had enough. The games and the country’s reputation are at stake. A lot will have to be done to save the face of the nation. Let us do our best.
PS- Some people are trying to malign Delhi in the name of CWG. On certain internet sites some people are saying that Delhi is the worst city in India and games should have been held in some other city. Time for Delhiites to work extra hard and prove that they are the best. Chak de!