Today is a Sunday and indeed, what a relief! It has been crazy travels past four weeks for me. I got a chance to visit Pune, Chennai, Madurai, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli during this time – all for work. Hence, very little time to write anything and do some sightseeing. But, all is well that ends well. Though there are some pending items on the agenda, I am hoping for less travels in the near future.
I had a wonderful time following the commonwealth games. What a games for Indian contingent! I felt proud to watch my countrymen perform with such passion and determination. What gives more pleasure is that we eventually pulled it off as hosts. I would really question the role that the media played in the whole episode. Even on the day of closing ceremony, media could not have done a worse job of running a prime time program which least relished the success of we as a nation and of our athletes and players and instead invited few lesser known celebrities to pinpoint the individual behind the controversies surrounding the games. A young writer (who himself has been part of a controversy off late) went on air saying it was 10 days party. Yes, I was also disheartened to see the way the finale was projected as the platform of taking credits for a good show by a few of our own politicians. Yes, there is more than reasonable chance of money laundering at all the layers. In our system, it has always been there. But, for God sake, let investigating agencies do their work. Let us not take a single bit of appreciation and accolades away from people who have made us proud. It has been so disappointing to see the deteriorating quality of sensation that has been created in the name of news. Yet, there are a few good journalists like Vikram Chandra who invited many of our athletes to organize an interaction with general people.
Having said this, the games did offer some of the great memories that will itch in the mind forever. Few of those are:
Gagan Narang’s smiling face with four golds.
Unassuming reaction of Deepika Kumari on winning the gold.
Focus of Rahul Banerjee and Dola Banerjee as they got ready to shoot the arrow.
Geeta Rani, Alka Tomar and Anita Kumari fetching gold in women’s wrestling.
Composed and calm Sushil Kumar well supported by a full house and Rahul Gandhi.
Clean sweep by our ladies in discus throw. Oh, what a moment!
Hat-trick of golds by our boxers.
Women’s relay team – the noise of the entire JN Stadium is still echoing.
Jubilant Sharath Kamal and Jwala Gutta on final day of the games.
Ashish Kumar giving India its first gymnastics medal.
And one that was most assuring of all – The great Saina winning the most important gold. I was so fortunate to see all her matches after round of 32.
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2 comments:
Lovely post Vishal. It seems to be a national characteristic of ours that we decry everything.The reporting of the Commonwealth Games was completely onesided - all the controversies and very little about what all went right. In my view, it was conducted very well.
Excellent list of special events to remember and savour. I would add one - Badminton team semi against England. I thought India would lose. Instead they won 3-0. Jwala and Diju in the mixed and Kashyap in the men's singles won against much higher ranked opponents.
@ Ramesh - Thanks once again :-) the games was a huge success in my opinion too. At least, it has changed landscape of Delhi for better for sure. Media did no right in creating a buzz of few irregularities and let us down on international scene as well.
Thanks for that lovely reminder. Yes, Indian players managed to win against higher ranked opponents. Kashyap was brilliant and so were Jwala and Diju!
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