Instead of pointing fingers, we should look at why the whole episode went to wrong. For that, lets flashback to 1982. That year India hosted the Asian Games, which by any yardstick is grander, larger and of a more competitive nature. And it went off like clock-work, so different to the colonial games 2010. Indeed, Delhi developed into a major city after the 1982 Asian Games.
Also, while several athletes from the British origin countries have proudly boycotted the Delhi Games, it is a fact that cricketers, umpires, commentators and officials from the same nations dance to the Indian tune every year at the perfectly synchronised and glitzy Indian Premier league. No complaints either.
So how come India can hold mega events in such style and yet do a shocker at the Colonial Games ? The key difference is the lack of motivation. Many right thinking Indians feel a sense of revulsion when they realise their country is part of the Commonwealth. Which Indian won'd tear his hair out when he realises that before every edition of the colonial games, British officials inspect the venues, strutting around like condescending peacocks. Which proud indian can stand the sight of a member of the British royal family opening games on Indian Soil ? And then there's the queen's baton. Give me a break ! If that isnt an affront to the millions of Indians who fought the British, what is ?
Colonisation is a distant memory now but many in Britain still look at Indians as former subjects. The Commonwealth remains a platform for Britain to display its past glory. Fine go ahead, but why is India part of the act? If the US, a country founded by British Immigrants, isnt part of the commonwealth, why is India where teh british carried out systematic genocides, a card-carrying member?
For that we must thank India's politicians steeped in idiotic Nehruvian diplomacy. The defining characteristic of this form of diplomacy is that national interest and pride in history come last. The art of jumping into useless international forums was perfected by Nehru and his two anti-india cronies, Krishna Menon and K M Panikkar. It was this gang that took India - despite being a republic - into the Commonwealth.
So is surely as teh sun will rise from the East tomorrow, India will take over teh reins of the Commonwealth. The de facto control of this disparate organisation will to Delhi in few years because Britain is unfit and unable to lead it. AND India is well positioned to take over. In perhaps a decade from now India's economy will be five times the size of Britain's. In 20 years, India will be the largest economy on the planet and Britain perhaps the 20th. The baton will firmly be in India's hands and most countries in the Commonwealth will be solidly behind India.
The only question is, when India becomes the official boss of the Commonwealth, will the British origin nations wante to stay ?? Watch this space..........
have i been using the term ""COLONIAL GAMES"" instead of Commonwealth Games ??
(. 'o'.)
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HAVE A NICE DAY,
From a local Indian daily in NewZiland
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