I know all of us are either hurt or ashmed or appalled or stunned at what has been happening in the run up to the hosting of CWG. The national print, electronic and virtual media is flooded with opinions of hundreds of indians regarding what went wrong, how corrupt the organising committee is and how it was a wrong decision in the first place despite being a third world developing country to want to host such a big event. There are all sorts of concers being voiced regarding the morality of spending such huge sums of money for building sporting stadia, infrastructure upgradation and beautification of the city, when millions are still struggling to get access to the basic requirtements and amenities of life. In one of the articles i read that since the tax payers money is being spent, were they consulted before the governmnet decieded to bid for the CWG hosting. I hope this gentleman knows that our democracy does not function like that. We dont have to go to people every time the governmnet has to take a decision. Our democratically elected government headed by the Prime Minister is competent to take such decisions. I dont know why did he expect such a referendum on this issue.
All arguments being put forth by people representing various interest groups and of various ideological hues of course have some merit in them if perceived at from their point of view. At this time to indulge in a verbal fight over the economic, social and ecological merit and demerits of holding CWG games is of purely selfish interest. These people just want to be heard and they know they would be able to catch some eyeballs in this general atmosphere of controversy and frustration of indians. Having said that i dont imply that they are wrong, they might be right but its the timing that is absolutely wrong.
In our democracy decisions are taken by the government of the day which holds the confidence of the house and in turn the people of India who are represented by the members of the House. Once a decision is taken then it becomes our responsibility to ensure that the committments and obligations undertaken by our government are fulfilled. We sure do have a right to protest about decisions by which we feel aggreived but for God's sake that cants be 12 days before the actual date of event. What were all these now vociferous groups doing for the last 7 years when India beat Canada in the race to host the 2010 CWG and our government pledged its support.
Why cant we understand that now hosting CWG is inevitable, a matter of national pride a matter of national committment (right or wrong thats our internal matter) and all of us should endeavour that we are successfull in doing so. All the wrongdoings that have happened should be and must be dealt with, with utmost stringency but not before we see our country through this mega event.
I have a grave suspicion and i fear that if we mange to pull it off, all these people who are hounding the CWG OC and the government would conveniently forget the stink of this unfathomable corruption that has happened and would busy themselves with singing their praises instead. If past experience is anything to go by then i would not be surpriesd, in the least, that the smug, elitist, largely corrupt, irresponsible, and sensationalist media of this country, who i have never seen fighting any cause till its logical end, would just do a lip sympathy. I however really hope and would pray that they prove me wrong and become an equal partner in the fight with the people of this country.
The need of the hour infact is that all of us keep our cool at this moment and ensure that the anger, hurt, frustration and sense of betrayal is not allowed to explode before the games finish and we see off our guests. Lets alllow it to simmer and once we are done with the games, let the people responsible for the shame and corruption face the ire.
