A lot has been said about the Commonwealth Games in Delhi over the past few months. The cold blooded cynics have been out with their knives or rather should I say pens/cameras/tweets etc, highlighting every little filth about the Commonwealth Games and WANTING the CWG to fail.
BUT..
I write this as a very emotional Delhite and above all a very proud Indian after coming back from Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium which was filled to capacity with 65,000 people. The verdict on the Opening Ceremony is already out there. I have just eight observations which explains why we as a nation succeed / fail on certain matters.
Why India wins:
1. Diversity is our strength - We didn't need Bollywood to show our cultural strength or what India really stands for. Move over Khans and Co., there is more to our nation and its heritage than just you guys. The ceremony had it all - India, the land where Buddhism was founded, our Bapu, Yoga, the unsung heroes - the Army, the symbol of our national integration - Indian Railways and in the finale, the maestro who conquered the mecca of all awards in showbiz last year.
India wins because we can show our Multiculturalism when we want to.
2. Crisis Management - As I made my way out of the stadium with other spectators, I noticed that in order to cross the road, we had to take the collapsed foot over bridge re-built by the army in 6 days flat. There they were, spectators turned into "Khatro Ke Khiladi", thousands of them walking on a structure which collapsed just 10 days ago. But not a single one of them was unwilling to take the leap of faith and cross the bridge.
India wins because we know how to manage crisis.
3. We know our Heroes - Mr. Kalmadi was booed, APJ Abdul Kalam was cheered and so was former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. It wasn't Mrs. Sonia Gandhi who handed over the baton to Prince Charles. It was sadda haryanvi jatt Sushil Kumar! Also many people have been critical of the way our media has handled the build up to CWG, feeling that the media has taken it too far this time. As they made their way out of the stadium, many were singing - "Jai Ho", saying "India Rocks.. We have proved it today.."
India wins because its people have begun realizing who the real heroes are. We use our discretion and don't buy media's sensationalism every time.
4. We are starting to become an accepting society - It was that moment when the announcer introduced the Pakistani contingent and the crowd roared with an instant applause, many stood up and cheered the Pakis as they marched around the stadium. India will win because we are ready to forget history, work and live together for a better and peaceful tomorrow.
5. We've got passion - 1, 800 strong workforce (average age being not more than 28) and 20,000 Volunteers who are not getting paid a single penny and often being served cold food. Yet, they work and work with a sense of pride and belongingness as if their life rested on making this event successful. India wins because the next generation is on their toes, focused and achieves what it wants to in a professional and sincere manner.
WHY INDIA LOSES?
1. Leadership - In an Opening Ceremony, where is the need for the Head of IOA, the President and the PM to speak? With due respect to Dr. Manmohan Singh's stature and credentials, why can't we have a Head of State delivering a heartfelt speech and not one which some babu sitting in the PMO drafted for him.
India loses because podiums are used not to accept responsibility but to score political points.
2. Jugaad Mentality - Yes, we do it last minute. It stems from our educational system. We are good at crisis management. If we can pull it off despite the constraints, imagine our potential if these chains which have limited our growth are not there in the first place.
India loses cuz we create crisis for ourselves and then waste time solving it.
3. "I, Me & MYself" - After the exit, security guard does his job, locks the gate. A member of parliament comes and yells "How dare you not open the gate? I am an MP. I go before the others". In the Metro, huge crowd standing at Central Secretariat rushes in disregarding those who have to get off first!
India loses, because many of us are too self centric and our actions and indulgences are often at the cost of others.
-----------------------------
All said and done, we as a nation are making a defining shift for the better. The "India Shining" campaign in 2004 was pre-mature. But we're getting there....slowly and steadily, despite all odds.
BUT..
I write this as a very emotional Delhite and above all a very proud Indian after coming back from Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium which was filled to capacity with 65,000 people. The verdict on the Opening Ceremony is already out there. I have just eight observations which explains why we as a nation succeed / fail on certain matters.
Why India wins:
1. Diversity is our strength - We didn't need Bollywood to show our cultural strength or what India really stands for. Move over Khans and Co., there is more to our nation and its heritage than just you guys. The ceremony had it all - India, the land where Buddhism was founded, our Bapu, Yoga, the unsung heroes - the Army, the symbol of our national integration - Indian Railways and in the finale, the maestro who conquered the mecca of all awards in showbiz last year.
India wins because we can show our Multiculturalism when we want to.
2. Crisis Management - As I made my way out of the stadium with other spectators, I noticed that in order to cross the road, we had to take the collapsed foot over bridge re-built by the army in 6 days flat. There they were, spectators turned into "Khatro Ke Khiladi", thousands of them walking on a structure which collapsed just 10 days ago. But not a single one of them was unwilling to take the leap of faith and cross the bridge.
India wins because we know how to manage crisis.
3. We know our Heroes - Mr. Kalmadi was booed, APJ Abdul Kalam was cheered and so was former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. It wasn't Mrs. Sonia Gandhi who handed over the baton to Prince Charles. It was sadda haryanvi jatt Sushil Kumar! Also many people have been critical of the way our media has handled the build up to CWG, feeling that the media has taken it too far this time. As they made their way out of the stadium, many were singing - "Jai Ho", saying "India Rocks.. We have proved it today.."
India wins because its people have begun realizing who the real heroes are. We use our discretion and don't buy media's sensationalism every time.
4. We are starting to become an accepting society - It was that moment when the announcer introduced the Pakistani contingent and the crowd roared with an instant applause, many stood up and cheered the Pakis as they marched around the stadium. India will win because we are ready to forget history, work and live together for a better and peaceful tomorrow.
5. We've got passion - 1, 800 strong workforce (average age being not more than 28) and 20,000 Volunteers who are not getting paid a single penny and often being served cold food. Yet, they work and work with a sense of pride and belongingness as if their life rested on making this event successful. India wins because the next generation is on their toes, focused and achieves what it wants to in a professional and sincere manner.
WHY INDIA LOSES?
1. Leadership - In an Opening Ceremony, where is the need for the Head of IOA, the President and the PM to speak? With due respect to Dr. Manmohan Singh's stature and credentials, why can't we have a Head of State delivering a heartfelt speech and not one which some babu sitting in the PMO drafted for him.
India loses because podiums are used not to accept responsibility but to score political points.
2. Jugaad Mentality - Yes, we do it last minute. It stems from our educational system. We are good at crisis management. If we can pull it off despite the constraints, imagine our potential if these chains which have limited our growth are not there in the first place.
India loses cuz we create crisis for ourselves and then waste time solving it.
3. "I, Me & MYself" - After the exit, security guard does his job, locks the gate. A member of parliament comes and yells "How dare you not open the gate? I am an MP. I go before the others". In the Metro, huge crowd standing at Central Secretariat rushes in disregarding those who have to get off first!
India loses, because many of us are too self centric and our actions and indulgences are often at the cost of others.
-----------------------------
All said and done, we as a nation are making a defining shift for the better. The "India Shining" campaign in 2004 was pre-mature. But we're getting there....slowly and steadily, despite all odds.
1 comment:
Superbly summarized Rahul ! Couldn't agree more on all of these points !
Much as I am "relieved" and proud at the same time, I can't wait for your blog AFTER the games are over !
Something (devilish) inside me keeps nudging me to look beneath the FB statuses and the Jai Ho's in the stadiums. What happens when the "pumped up patriotism" fades out . What happens when we wake up on October 15th !
Which of your points will dominate - the first 5 or the last 3 ?
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