COMMON WEALTH GAMES- DELHI 2010

Only two months left for Common Wealth games to commence in National Capital in NewDelhi. Though a decision taken way back in 2003, the preparatory works are still not nearing completion.  The venues wear a shoddy look with metals and other ancillaries piled up like rubble here and there, it is reported. Though Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman Organizing Committee, Common Wealth games exudes confidence the media on witnessing the incomplete venues still skeptical. Even the Olympic Games scheduled to start at London in 2012 is nearing completion. Why India is lagging far far behind scheduled to begin on October 3, 2010 event. Neither a day passes trading charges and counter charges against each other between the parties responsible for the smooth and successful completion of the ‘great jamboree’.

 

The haphazard way the preparatory works are progressing is appalling and deplorable. If the leaders were not sure of their capability to conduct such an event why the hell they went for it?

 

The decision itself was ridiculous as there exists countless problems affecting the nation like the rampant poverty, homelessness to millions, malnourishment, starvation and even deaths which ought to be given primary importance. The preparatory works got off to a start in a shocking and painful manner by bulldozing the vast number of slums forcing the occupants to flee for life without providing any alternatives. These kinds of displaced lots are normally seen in wars or ethnic clashes in certain countries, but in India such pathetic scenes are widespread even the order of the day. Even the slum-dwellers under the very nose of our ruling elite will be at a loss to count how many times they were evicted and forced to flee and how many times finding no other let-up or refuge they returned to put up tents at the same places. Providing them houses, rehabilitation facilities or providing adequate compensation where their homes and lands were forcibly occupied in the name of developmental works like construction of mega dams like Sardar Sarovar Project, Tehri Dam Project, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to coporates and multinationals to put up their shops there.

 

Development should not be at the cost of the tears of the masses. Developmental works should co-exist with the empowerment of the suffering masses like providing them food, education, health-facilities and women empowerment by the rulers at the helm. Why can’t the corporates earmark a certain percentage of their profits for the betterment of the poor? In other words corporate social responsibility.

 

No. Neither the govts nor the corporates albeit their tall talks of alleviating the sufferings of the downtrodden will be in the forefront of implementing such good deeds even in the future. Platitudes apart, nothing material will come out. On discussing about the haphazard way the spade-works are being done, unfortunately the face of the suffering humanity came to the mind. That’s all.

 

As the scheduled dates are fast approaching report of ‘shocking’ revelations of (in India ‘shocking’ is a word often used by political leaders, sorry sir, I am not a politician) corruption at the organizing committee level, unearthed by the CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner) are streaming in. That 25000 pound sterling was allegedly transferred to a London-based firm M.M.Films for funding the Queen’s baton relay without being accounted. Our respected PrimeMinister, on coming to know of it is reported to have authorized his Cabinet Secretary K.M.Chandrashekar to enquire about it and report back at the earliest.

 

The Organizing Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, that also reportedly, has denied the allegation and that he has nothing left to hide.

 

Common Wealth nations must be nursing apprehensions in the entire conduct of the games and Britain has already made it doubts and fears public. Another nagging fear prevalent among the Common Wealth countries is much about security coverage they expect, natural it is, as India remains a potential target of terrorists on the prowl. How many of them will be ready to take part in the event remain a big question mark and non-completion of the stadiums in time is another million dollar question.

 

A happy report however is published in our newspapers in their finance columns about India’s economy heading to hit Rs. 2 trillion mark in the financial year of 2011-2012. The prediction is reportedly by the Prime Minister’s Economy Advisory Council under eminent economist and former RBI governor C.Rangarajan. Economic pundits including an economist PM, an all-rounder Finance Minister Pranab Kumar Mukherji and our RBI governor D.Subbharao and their deputies must be feeling good and big certainly music to their ears if needed we could also enjoy the music and feel good and big - that is our discretion anyhow. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is likely to be 8.5 percent in 2010-2011 on account of the unexpected progress on the manufacturing and service sectors. Industrial growth according to our FM is 14%.

 

Taking all these factors into account our economy is on a ‘high growth-trajectory’ and the only sad thing being but for the nasty global economic meltdown of 2008, our GDP would have crossed double-digit mark. Hell with it. Anyhow we are far ahead showing a bright future.

 

The poor man on the street unfortunately is not aware of the enormous progress achieved on the economic front by his beloved nation due to the untiring efforts of our leaders and he always finds his begging bowl quite empty.

 

Be that as it may the Common Wealth games are nearing and he can, God permits (here the govt.), watch events on the big TV screens put up at public places, sitting or standing on the pavements in front of shops spread far and wide either alone or with his comrade beggars and cheer up the participants of course with empty stomachs.

 

Why can’t our rulers mull over bidding for the next available Olympic event to be held in our Incredible country?