Delhi Dazzles in Corruption Wealth Games-2010

Sports play an important role in this globalized era. It’s not just a matter of entertainment and games but highlights the economic prosperity, cultural mosaic and heritage, social cohesion of the host nation and provides an opportunity for cultural acculturation. Besides, these events are used as a propaganda strut to get international recognition. Hitler used the Berlin Olympics-1936 to promote Nazism. Recently, China used ‘Beijing Olympics-2008’ as a way to legitimize the regime in post-Tiananmen Square massacre period. Though, Delhi dazzled in the inaugural ceremony but Commonwealth Games –Delhi could be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

The spectacular opening ceremony can’t hide the fact that the organizers of the XIX Commonwealth Games have tarnished nation’s image. The fiasco has badly hurt Brand India. Corruption, shoddy infrastructure, hygiene and cleanliness have become unending debate. India’s capacity to organize mega events, infrastructure building capacity and its reputation as a tourist destination are being questioned.

Incredible India, Atithi Devo Bhavah, Mera Bharat Mahan...promos can’t be made relevant by sizzling dance performances!! Irreparable damages have already been done. It’s being rightly called as commonwealth loot games, common worries games and commonwealth corruption games.

The initial budget for holding the games was estimated to be at Rs 345 crore, but has now swelled to some 35,000 crore (unofficial estimate of more than 70,000 crore). Politicians and babus (bureaucrats) associated with the Organizing Committee, Urban Development Ministry and Delhi Government have looted common men’s money and now they are passing bucks. Successful opening show can’t justify empty coffer.

Chetan Bhagat has rightly said that it is a loot fest. Damage control exercise has been started too late. So, Union Government can’t shy away from taking accountability. Every official accountable for this mess must be severely punished. They have played with the pride of India. This is not a question of only corruption. They have put our country in a shameful state. 

Unfortunately, the punch-line of an ad -HUM HINDUSTANIYON KO APANI JAGAH PATA HAI, VIDESHIYON KO BAAD ME SAMAJH AATI HAI- truly justifies CWG fiasco!!

In our culture guest is treated as God (Atithi Devo Bhavah) and the so called high profile officials proudly say westerners have different standards of hygiene and we have different. No wonder, they might declare that westerners have their own standard of winning medals and we have our own. Westerners win 100m race gold in 9.5 sec, but for Indians it should be 15 sec!! 

Anyway, we Indians least bother about medals!! We never give them a fight just to get chhota sa medal!! We always laugh at winners...how fool they are...they are wasting millions of dollars to get medals of few dollars!! At the same time we make millions of dollars for not winning medals!!

There are few positive outcomes of this fiasco too. CWG has exposed the weaknesses in our culture. The head and members of the Organizing Committee represent the mentality of a common Indian. They are not at fault! Anyone would have done same thing what these officials have done. Most of us are honest because we haven’t got an opportunity to loot money.

If we look at the scandal reporting by media, it’s strange that some of the media houses are not taking up these issues seriously because they are official partners. Some of them are reporting because they are not paid!! If they are paid, I’m sure they won’t speak up!! This is the tragedy of our culture. We are living in the ‘corruption of culture’ where every member of the family feels proud in getting upari kamai (bribe).

In 1990’s Late Sh. Chandrashekhar, former PM of India said that corruption was not an issue in India because only 5% Indians are corrupt. But the problem is who these 5% people are?? They are people who take the decisions, formulate policies, implement policies and deliver justices. So, can we overlook this issue? Once the games are over, the whole charges of corruption and nepotism must be investigated by CVC. I don’t know how many of us will rise to the occasion because AAP SOTE HUE KO JAGAA SAKTE HO, LEKIN JO JAAG KAR BHI SOYA HAI USE NAHI.