Commonwealth Games are finally over . I decided to hold my counsel while the whole world and their uncle was castigating the games and writing off India and Indians in general. Now that these games have closed on a high note and even Fennel has expressed satisfaction at its conduct. It is time that a serious evaluation is done of this mega venture. Luckily Indian athletes performed above expectations and brought back the glory and honour frittered away by the organizers and managers of the show so there is something to be happy about.
Firstly we need to learn to be honest with ourselves and realize that a lot of criticism thrown at us was well deserved. Although part of the harsh reactions originated because of western arrogance, borderline racial prejudice and a definite sense of fear rising India is generating; we can not afford to hide behind these apologies. Fact remains that we screwed up badly in the run up to the games and what is worse we did not even know it. I design exhibitions, which then have to be fabricated and constructed on the site. I have done this in several countries of the world; some of them in India's poor neighbourhood. Only and only in India trade workers are still working right till the very last second the site has to be opened to public. No body knows if the work will be completed or not and at times it is not . This situation is created willfully because by keeping everyone guessing and worrying till the last moment people are greatful for whatever final result is achieved. No one wants to question the quantity ,quality and actual work done vis a vis work that was meant to be done.
Apart from endemic corruption a fair lot of it has to do with our attitude to work and professional ethics. During the final phase of an exhibition vinyl cut graphics and signs have to be put. Usually this is the very last work scheduled. All these years I have given explicit instructions on how this work should be done by the Graphics person. He has to carry a waste bag with him when he peels the backing of these graphics and throw this waste in this bag before applying the graphics on the exhibits. Alas the only time this is done such way in India is if I am standing there on site and resort to intemperate language . Otherwise this waste is strewn all over the floor for a sweeper to clean up after. As you can imagine just before the show has to open everyone is trying to clean up this mess in addition to other and mostly succeed in only partially hiding the garbage under the carpet. Sounds familiar; doesn't it? The logic given is that a Graphics person will not be seen carrying a garbage bag. It is beneath him. He does not for a moment think that just by carrying this polythene bag with him he will enhance his professional output. I know ; I have tried to make this small improvement for many years with only limited success. Our attitude is a big problem and I was not surprised to see pan stained wash basins and dog waste on beds . Pan chewing plumber who fitted the wash basin would not think for a second before spitting in the basin because someone else will clean up after him; not he himself. He got away with it because the Junior Engineer who supervised him was busy in his own version of "spitting in the basin''; and the JE got away because his boss is doing the same. This "spitting "continued on a bigger and bigger scale as it moved upwards till it reached Kalmadi and beyond. They "spitted" big time We have to realize that this is actually a spit in our own collective face!
Because these kind of things happen all the time both in our personal and professional lives we have developed an immunity to them. The world does not condone such shoddy work. If we accept such standards in others and if we also keep these low standards ourselves; It is our mistake. Do not expect any accolades. And just because we do not wish to be held accountable to a decent level of performance ourselves; we have continued to allow crooks and thieves to go Scot free even when they have brazenly looted the common wealth. Everyone who has booed and objected to Kalmadi and his cohorts looting or mismanaging the funds must not keep silent now just because the games are over. Remember if you do not speak up his kind will find other games to loot your wealth ,honour, dignity ,and your rightful place in the world.
I would not be surprised if Kalmadi now pats himself on the back and a pliant government decorates him instead of auditing him. Maybe instead of landing in Tihar he will arrive at Rashtrapati bhawan as India's next president. Honestly India will be better off with Syed Ali shah gilani instead. At least you know he is a self declared Pakistani and an extremist; bent on opposing and harming India. So you can deal with it. People like Kalmadi have betrayed public trust , looted and cheated us ; all the while posing as great sons of the nation toiling day and night in public service. Those kind are difficult to handle once they are in power. You must keep the pressure on the government to order an honest audit.
Like Indian athletes who performed brilliantly in spite of the shenanigans of the powers in questions; People of India have in them to win the gold at the world stage - in all fields. It is up to us if we prefer to have a sincere enemy or a backstabbing friend! And for God's sake if we have to learn only one thing from these games let us learn not to " spit in the basin" - in whatever job we are doing!
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