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It is surprising to see that while there are less than 70 days left for the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, there are still some people asking as to why we are organizing the Commonwealth Games in India! Two leaders are consistently giving statements in media that Commonwealth Games should not been done in India, and that it waste of money. Is there any point in debating this question at this stage?
Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi have to take place, and we have to make it a success. This is an international event, the whole world is keeping an eye on it. The whole country should come together and ensure the success of the Commonwealth Games.
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We should take examples from countries like China, South Africa, and Spain. South Africa has successfully organized the FIFA World Cup and the entire world has watched and appreciated the manner in which it was held |
These two leaders have worked as ministers in the Indian cabinet. When this question was raised about the organizing of the Commonwealth Games, both these leaders were in position to take decisions. In those times, these Cabinet ministers did not take steps to stop the organizing of the Commonwealth Games in India. Now these controversies, when we are nearing the Commonwealth Games, have no meaning. One of these two leaders was an important minister in the Vajpayee government, who gave permission for the proposal of organizing the Commonwealth Games. The other leader was a minister in the UPA government, who took forward this proposal, and gathered funds for the organizing of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.
Now, funnily enough, these two leaders are raising questions on organizing of the Commonwealth Games. In my opinion, all political parties, leaders, and citizens of the country, should take example from other nations, and successfully organize the Commonwealth Games. People would remember that in order to make the Asian Games successful, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi, had put entire machinery to make the Games successful, and it was made a subject of pride. The work done by Indira Gandhi that time can be seen even now. There is no doubt that we are behind schedule in completion of work. Number of obstacles were created, which delayed work. Now only two months are left, in which the last month, should not be counted. We have only 30 days to complete the work, and monsoons have started as well during this time. With these kind of statements coming in the media, work would be delayed more.
The Queen’s Baton has arrived in India after travelling the world. This signifies that organizing of the Commonwealth Games is in its final stage. Now we should work night and day and present a show to the world that does India proud and foreign tourists give it a thumbs-up. With personal attacks on each other, the nation will suffer. The nation’s pride and honour is far more important than personal agendas.
We should take examples from countries like China, South Africa, and Spain. South Africa has successfully organized the FIFA World Cup and the entire world has watched and appreciated the manner in which it was held. In a similar way, when China successfully organized the Olympics, the whole world witnessed it in awe.
The meaning is that organizing of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi should not be considered as waste of money. This money will not go outside the country. This money will be distributed within the country itself. Thousands of people get employment, especially the labour classes.
A number of companies get business opportunities, and thousands of tourists arrive, which gives a boost to tourism in the country. Besides this, the development work undertaken, will be there in the country forever, and we can always utilize these facilities. Indian cannot even imagine the kind of money China spent in organizing the Olympics.
—The author is a Member of Parliament of the Indian National Congress
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