Thursday, September 23, 2010

CWG

Looking at the pictures/reports on the CWG in newspapers and TV reports, one does tend to come away upset and disappointed at the rampant corruption. But it's also important we do not get carried away, and look at things objectively.

Stay with me for a moment, and maybe you will get what I mean.

The CWG requires HUGE amount of construction, and most of it is ready. On time. A few last minute preparations are left, but remember, this is very similar to your manager reminding you to hurry up before that all-important deadline. The reminder is fair, but you can't be faulted for being late yet! And a LOT can happen in those final moments - and I am willing to bet things will be all fine when the final whistle is blown.

There've been disasters and allegations of filthy and sub-standard work... but let's look at it a little more closely.

The pedestrian bridge was a serious accident - but it wasn't necessarily sub-standard work. A pin came off - and that could be carelessness or faulty implementation - but when an entire sub-city is being constructed at such a monstrous pace, I think we should allow some leeway.

Dirty toilets and unscrubbed floors - typical of any new construction site. Doesn't take long to clean up, and again, we are still some days away from the D Day.

Dog paw prints on a bed - is that really serious? A dog in a complex meant to house 7000 athletes is that big a deal? For all you know, the dog could have been following the TV crew!

And finally, the security "breach" reported by an Australian TV channel - what did they breach? An under construction site before security teams have started taking control?

I am not condoning corruption, I am not being stupidly patriotic, but let's also remember for a moment - Delhi has been grappling with unprecedented rains and floods, and yet, we are almost there.

And we still have some days to go.

I am willing to stand by the OC, and I am willing to bet these games will be a stunning show.

All we need, is some last minute jugaad, some luck and a lot of faith!

2 comments:

Meghana said...

My question is why is everyone talking even before the premises are declared as "all set" and "ready-to-move-in" condition?
Any construction site on the face of this earth will have the issues they are complaining about. To make it an issue big enough to get out via the press, and embarass an entire country, I personally think, is unfair to the hard work that has been put in.
Having said that, I do think the dog faeces all over the village may be taken as a serious health risk to the athletes. This article mentions risk of dengue fever. Ofcourse the dog issue won't remain, it takes a few minutes and an animal-control truck to round up stray dogs, no big deal according to me.

Link to the article:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/113496/Sports/nations-complain-dogs,-faeces-all-over-cwg-village.html

Meghana said...

Okay, listen to this. A friend of mine went to Delhi for work yesterday, and this is his note to me.
"Was in delhi for a few days....n had some spare time off work, went to see the CWG preparations....n 2 my surprise (after reading media reports) the stadiums n the gaming village is A+ class...real great facilities so against the media showings...i believe that the media is jus magnifying the small errors...not done...good work guys, to all the people involved in the making of the CWG!!!!"

I was happy to read the note.
I honestly wish CWG the best of luck, after some of the unfair media coverage. Pack mentality, everyone is saying it, so let's say it too....nothing else.