Let the Games begin...

A recent Indian resident, I have realised that processes that run the system are far from ideal, in fact, they are nothing close to it. The country is one where there is no dearth of opportunity, growth and the more I learn about it, the more I relate to the feeling of pride when I call myself Indian.

However, various problems such as corruption never seem to go away. The Commonwealth Games have been dogged by these very problems.

The media has been agog with stories of corruption, poor management and bad infrastructure. Political influences on the issue have further tarnished what should have ideally been the nation's pride. Youth like me are quite disgusted and it has often crossed my mind if this is indeed a great nation.

Naturally, I was not really excited about the Queen's Baton Rally in Ahmedabad, a city in the state of Gujarat. But events took an unexpected turn.

On the day, I happened to pass by the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram (hermitage) and was rather annoyed by the traffic congestion. Scooters tend to wind their way through a pool of cars and that is exactly how I got to the front of the procession. I was now driving amongst the Queen's Baton Rally amused at the poor security apparatus.

There was, however, a moment, when it all changed. I found myself in the presence of the queen's baton itself. It was but an inch away from my nose. I was awestruck.

I was in THE country that was hosting the Commonwealth Games 2010, I belonged to that country. The baton, so close to me, made me realise that even though things did not often go as planned, India and Indians were still capable of organising the games.

Hoping for the best

Even if the infrastructure has not been properly tested, it will probably work. I am sure every big event has its problems and glitches — that these are so visible in India is unfortunate. The country, however, is in a position to deliver the Games in a spectacular fashion.

The sight of that baton made me proud. It made me realise that it is probably our support and not our scorn or list of complaints that our country requires. It made me realise that India is hosting the Commonwealth Games 2010 and that it will be a grand affair, if only we believe in it.

There are some who may argue that issues of corruption and poor management must be addressed, but let us leave that for later. Let us deliver the games as one country and clean up the mess when the guests are gone.

The preparations may not have been ideal, but somewhere the person in me reasons that despite everything we are going to deliver a grand event that will surely be memorable, not only for the way it was executed but also for the tumultuous journey that it took.

I expect every Indian to hold his/her head high at the end of the games. The games will be another achievement in India's history.

Shail Sunil Vaidya is an independent writer based in India.