Common "Wealth" Games!!

So the Commonwealth Games (CWG) are supposed to be held from October 3-14 , 2010 in Delhi. (I say 'supposed to' because it looks like they are still confused ;))...and the way they are being set up, it seems that the politicians have misunderstood the term "Commonwealth" with "Common Wealth"... ;)

You all know that the Commonwealth comprises of all countries who were under the British empire. The Games are held every four years in order to promote relations amongst the Commonwealth group (rather, its like each nation wanting to say 'We're one-up on you!"..."Screw you! We have better athletes!!!(evil,sinister laugh follows)!!" )

So, for the 1st time, the CWG are being held in India, and second time in Asia (after 1998, Malaysia)..So technically, The CWG committee still has raging suspicion over the capabilities of the Asian countries to conduct such events, something which India is tryoing to prove RIGHT!!!

The fall guy here is Mr. Suresh Kalmadi.. This guy should be an epitome for the word 'Incapable'!! We won the rights to host the games waaaaaaaay back in 2003 (you know, the year India lost to Australia in the World Cup.. and personally my not-so-favorite year!!)..So this guy had more than half-a-freakin-decade to set things right in Delhi... We still have't found out what this bugger has done so far except waste money... Our official expenses (so far) is 1.6 BILLION (yes, billion!) dollars... which is waaaaaaaaay more than the official budget in 2004... Of course, inflation should be taken into account, but the degree of variance is quite high!!

Everyday, I read about new developments on timesofindia.com pertaining to the games... More than the sports part, there seems to be more news on the corruption surrounding it!

Corruption:

We know India is a nation filled with corrupt babus... So keeping up with the reputation, the Indian CWG Committee have taken corruption to all new levels (actually, we have our own level of corruption in India which is unparalleled by any nation..But when it comes to Sports, its the first time we're witnessing these levels!).. Illustrated below is an example of the marvellous 'deals' done by the members of the organising commitee...

Normal Cost of a basic treadmill: INR 10000-15000 per machine

Cost of a treadmill at Harrods, London: INR 7 Lakhs per machine

Cost of LEASING (not buying!) a treadmill for the CWG: INR 9.75 Lakhs per machine!!!

This is just the tip of the Iceberg... the Comptroller and Auditor General(the guy who audits the income and expenditure of the government) will be making enquiries into the entire episode and one thing is certain- we WILL unearth something!!

I am just imagining what I can do with Rs. 9.75 Lakhs... I can list them out, but then this will get too damn long! :P

You know, its actually humorous i.e. the CWG motto this time around.."Come out & play".. I mean, its not like you go out of your house and say 'Chunnu, Munnu, Bunty, Babli,,, Come out and play!"... And play on WHAT? the stadiums are hardly ready... one bout of heavy rain and the whole infrastructure got screwed... security is still an issue.. So the question is, will they come out?

I guess the babus must've thought, our athletes play in substandard conditions anyways... So why can't the rest of the world!?

Well, 71 nations are gonna participate in this showcase event... and going by the current scenario, its hardly a showcase...

If Kalmadi is trying to incept the idea in us that the games will be a superhit, then I think he still hasn't understood the movie yet...

Well, to end on a non-cynical note, I really wish that the games are a success... I don't give a damn what happens to Kalmadi afterwards, even if he's gulity or not.. what matters is, Shera the mascot of the games, needs to roar aloud... Good things can happen... Cab drivers, bus drivers etc are getting English lessons, beggars are (hopefully) relocated to government run shelters... infrastructure is being developed, Plans are in place to provide power to Delhi throughout the games such that Delhi will have excess power till year end... So, we can just hope that human life gets better because of the games...

Seriously, at this moment, Kalmadi needs an 'All Izz well' from someone...

Let the games (hopefully) begin!

NB:

Knock Knock...

Who's there?

Kalmadi

Kalmadi who?

Kal madi vaat lagne waali hai!!!