'To Hell With Mr.Suresh Kalmadi'

Guest writer TheComicProject in his second post on FTP offers a contrarian view of the CWG 2010 debacle - what if India comes together and miraculously manages to pull this off, in spite of the Kalmadi calamities this mega-sporting event is facing? Read on.

Over the centuries, sporting events have been used as a medium of celebration, entertainment, as distraction and as a show of strength, appeasement of egos and a display of national pride. The Delhi Commonwealth Games were meant to be no different, except it has become a bizarre show of corruption, construction delays and the Rs.3,750 (or is it Rs.4,138) toilet roll. It has rightly attracted criticism from all quarters, questioning the logic of hosting these games and if the money could have been used elsewhere. There are some who would be happy if the games fail, some calling for the games to be cancelled and finally, there are those who can't stop making fun of the event.

With so much going on, our desire to see those responsible for this mess to be held accountable, and aversion to reinforce failure, there are less than 2 months to go for the opening ceremony and the only hope for the organizers seems to be a grand fireworks show that will dazzle us into forgetting this state of unpreparedness. But looking beyond the outrage, the blame games, media coverage, probes, “national pride” and a painful countdown to embarrassment this could turn out to be - what about the sports, sportspersons, and sports lovers?

The games will feature 17 disciplines ranging from Aquatics to Wrestling, over 8000 athletes and officials from 71 countries – from Anguilla to Zambia. Athletes have trained for months in the lead up to these games, each one of them with something at stake, something to prove. An estimated 100,000 tourists from all over the world will visit Delhi to witness the event, support their teams and hope for a taste of India that was promised to them in the tourism advertisements. And they might end up being confronted by a state of unpreparedness.

Not of the venues and the infrastructure, but that of a public that has not participated in something this big for a long time. Because, while we will most likely find a way to “fix” the mess – completing the construction, ensuring that they stand for 12 days; cover up dug up roads, beautify parts of the city while hiding the ugliness behind curtains and brushing corruption allegations under the carpet – we still do not know for sure what it takes to be part of a city that is hosting an event on the world stage, in front of hundreds of cameras, thousands of spectators and millions of TV viewers.

We can continue piling on the criticism, making sure that the heat is kept on those responsible, but in the next 54 days, there is more to do – some trivial, and some a little more than that. Like being extra-vigilant and checking if surroundings are safe. Or looking out for the tourists, women in particular, by making sure they are not being harassed. Or by turning out at the venues to support athletes whose morale and performance would get that extra fillip when they see a stadium full of noisy supporters. In short, make the visitors feel safe, cared for, and at home.

Maybe it’s too much to ask for, but if only Delhi could turn up when it matters the most (unlike that city by the Arabian Sea). Because when the participants get ready to go back with their medals, and the tourists start catching their flights back home, their impressions will be shaped, not just by the colours, sounds and smells, but also by a unique experience called “Atithi Devo Bhavah” – and if we get that right, it would be something to be proud about.