Indians should hang their heads in shame By Nisser Dias nisserdias at gmail.com SMS to 9422437029
The disgraceful controversy surrounding the organizing of the prestigious Common Wealth Games in our country has left each and every citizen of this great country wherever on the globe feeling ashamed of ourselves being called a proud Indian. For the past few weeks when news dailies and channels and magazines all over the world started flashing headlines everyday of one scandal or the other followed by stories of incompetency of the organizing committee and the government together, we had no other choice but to bow our heads in shame before the world.
At the same time we as the citizens of this country need to be very clear in our mind that our mother land is not to be blamed for the mess but our politicians and moreover ourselves for having cast our sacred ballot to elect these self-centered individuals who have made their foray into politics to accumulate ill gotten wealth. These are the people who have embarrassed and humiliated each and every Indian before the entire world.
The world sees India as poverty stricken country, full of slums, unhygienic and moreover a highly corrupt country. This was an opportunity for the government and the leaders of this country to showcase India’s otherside with all its grandeur. Instead those given the responsibility to organize the Common Wealth Games saw an opportunity to fatten their bank balances. Ultimately, so far what we have achieved in showcasing is our lowly, corrupt, politicians who will not let an opportunity pass by to add to their kitty.
Last year China put a spectacular show in hosting the Olympics 2009, their planning and execution of the infrastructure was perfect. Their stadiums were ready in all aspects one year earlier. They made the world sit up and take cognizance of their capabilities in organizing world events. In comparison what do we see and hear in our own country? Stories of corruption to the level of chairman of the organizing meeting wanting commission even on toilet paper, stories of scams, stories of unreadiness, stories of bridges and ceiling collapsing, beds breaking, dirty toilets, snakes, stories of blame games and that too on the eve of games. Why has it to happen only to India?
It is because we do not give our professionals their due instead our government leaves everything in the hands of politicians. Who in-turn picks and choose their cronies, inexperienced personnel, ‘yes men’, who will do their bidding without asking questions and at the end of it the result is disaster.
Then let’s take the example of our own national games. In 2009 these games were supposed to held in Jharkand they were not held, this year they were to be organized in Kerela. With just three months remaining it is difficult to say whether they are going to be held. Next year national games are supposed to be hosted by Goa and we are yet to start preparation and our chief minister is of the opinion that there is nothing to worry as Jharkand has to host them first. This is our mindset, very laid back. And given the opposition to any development in the state I doubt whether the games will ever be held in Goa. This is the dedication our state governments show to sporting events or games and how can we expect world class athletes or sports personalities?
How can we change this malaise? To my mind the only solution is to bring about a sea change in our governance. No politician should be allowed to chair any sports body or sporting events. Only experts and professionals in the particular field should be given the charge.
Let’s take Indian Premier League for example, no politician was involved. Former commissioner of IPL Lalit Modi for three years organized a fantastic cricket tournament of 45 days for three years. A politician tried to get involved and everything went bust. I do not expect the Board of Council of Cricket for India will be able to put up such a spectacle.
Anyway though our country faced the embarrassment over the preparation of the Common Wealth Games most of the countries have arrived to participate with the exception of some athletes. While hoping that there would be not further controversies, we as Indians can only hope that the fortnight long games go on smooth and wish all the athletes the best. (ENDS)
=========================================================== First published in Gomantak Times, Goa - September 30, 2010
