The Gains and Losses Of Commonwealth Games

"The huge international adverse publicity about the falling roof, lack of hygiene etc. in the games village before the event only indicate the fact that the world is looking at India in a very critical manner."

by N.S.Venkataraman

(October 16, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The commonwealth games have now ended creating mixed feelings in India. While it is gratifying about the performance of Indian sportsmen in the commonwealth games and their medal tally, the fact that huge amount of money that India cannot afford , has been spent in organising the commonwealth games should not be forgotten. The huge money has been spent much above the budgetary level and obviously the funds would have been made available by diverting the money meant for many other welfare measures.

The money spent was several times more than the original budget . Obviously, there have been high level of inefficiency and dishonesty in organizing the event . Those who know the pain of poverty will inevitably think as to whether such huge extravaganza is required considering the resource position of the country and the prevailing economic disparity levels. While those belonging to upper class and upper middle class of the society for whom income is far more than their needs would support the extravaganza, it is necessary to remember that those belonging to lower economic group who constitute
the majority remain disconnected.

An efficient government and committed and competent organizers would have deserved appreciation, if they have organized this event at budgetary level of expenditure, in tune with the country’s average economic standards. Possibly, organizing this event in a simple and clean manner would have brought much more glory and praise for India internationally, since all over the world every one know that two third of Indian population still cannot afford a square meal a day and the country has no justification for throwing away its scarce money in the name of showmanship or prestige or whatever one may call.

The huge international adverse publicity about the falling roof, lack of hygiene etc. in the games village before the event only indicate the fact that the world is looking at India in a very critical manner.

Those who visit the country from abroad invariably see people living in unhygienic conditions , lack of public toilets, poor road conditions, mismanaged traffic , frequent power cuts etc. One commonwealth game organised at huge cost that the country cannot afford cannot conceal the poor living conditions in India and create an impression abroad that the country is prosperous or wealthy.

Apart from the unjustified lavish spending , what leaves even more bitter feeling is the widely prevailing view that enormous corruption and dishonest dealings have taken place in organizing this event. While the euphoria of commonwealth games would slowly fade away in the coming days, the bitter feelings that many corrupt elements have been involved would linger on for long time to come. The Indian and
international media is bound to highlight this aspect in the coming days causing great discomfiture to those in power in New Delhi and who would try to take credit for the glamour of the mega event.

Many in the country think that Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government will not take any effective action to expose the corrupt elements , by conducting honest investigation and punish the culprits. Given the past track record of Dr. Manmohan Singh in ignoring all the corrupt dealings indulged in by his ministers, it is likely that Dr. Singh would simply remain silent as if nothing has happened. The corrupt elements amongst the politicians, bureaucrats and organizers of the commonwealth games would have the last laugh, making the public opinion in the country look impotent.

Many think that the investigation that Dr. Singh has ordered about the misdeeds in the conduct of the commonwealth games should really been an investigation against Dr. Singh’s government since everything has taken place under his nose. Dr. Singh should not attempt to escape his responsibility by pointing out the fingers elsewhere. The appropriate thing for Dr. Singh should be to accept the responsibility and quit himself, to facilitate a proper investigation.

The country has incurred much more losses than benefits due to the commonwealth games , even after accounting for the fact that our gallant sportsmen have made the country proud.