For a ignorant Indian to whom sports is synonymous to cricket and commonwealth is just another event that the media is frenzied about, the turn of events does not really sink in until the harsh realities in the form of facts stare you right in your face.
It was probably why when India promised to host a successful Commonwealth Games 2010 to the world in Australia saying DELHI CHALO all Indians collectively felt their heads rise in pride. The Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi, India between 3 October and 14 October 2010 and will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and India generally, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. Now this is the part where an average Indian likes you and me smiles and plans to watch the Inauguration Ceremony with friends and family since this is supposedly the largest sporting event that WE have ever hosted and it heralds our arrival as a major power in the international sporting arena but on second thoughts aren’t we being too optimistic??
In a country which has a total debt of Rs. 2898917.52 crores, including public, internal and external debt, pumping in Rs. 2,296.43 crores into an 11-day sporting event seems a tad materialistic. While hosting a mega sports event, some escalation in costs is understandable as new projects get added and the scale of the show is expanded. However, in the case of Delhi's Commonwealth Games, official cost estimates have gone up by a whopping 525% since the city won the bid.
Now as an Average Indian if you were in anyways beginning to think how your hard earned Taxes were being spent recklessly here comes the real eye opener. The treadmill story which hit the headlines was definitely not a run off the mill issue. When the very best treadmill, Harrods of London can sell you costs not more than £10,000, or about Rs 7 lakhs how is it possible that Suresh Kalmadi and his Commonwealth Games organizing panel pays a rent Rs 9,75,000 in taxpayer money just to hire a treadmill for a month and a half?
As a concerned taxpayer if the mindboggling numerals makes us nervous and corruption fills us with disgust let me assure you that this was just the stepping stone to our concerns. With less than 60 days to go to the D-Day the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium which was inaugurated in the midst of immense fanfare and hype looks nothing more than a mere construction site with is in desperate need of Landscaping, Flooring and other basic amenities.
Despite all the contradictions surrounding the Commonwealth Games, there's little doubt that if staged well, it will make a statement to a sizeable global audience. A failed Games experience, on the other hand, will add teeth to the murmurs that there remains a serious disconnect between India's new-found modernity and the masses of Indians who still inhabit pitiable conditions of existence - a stereotype championed by commentators intrigued by India's growing economic might and political clout. I personally feel that when India can organize a Cricket World Cup, Hockey world cup, IPL. Then we can surely organize CWG, Olympics, and FIFA too (if need be)... India will no doubt pull off the Commonwealth Games in grand style and make the required adjustments to make the event run smoothly. Delhi will also probably benefit from the increase in transport facilities, which include bus stands, expansion of Metro rail services and a renovation of Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi Airport. However, the problems it took on to pull off the most expensive Commonwealth Games in history would make many wonder: Was it really worth it?
For the official take on the issue visit The Official Website
For the truth- Use your intelligence ;)
