After CWG what?
Oct 13, 2010

The Delhi Commonwealth Games have been a flop or a success, depending on where you stand. The scandals surrounding the Games and the uncertainty in the weeks before they were to start had convinced most of us that we were heading for a huge embarrassment that would make us the laughing stock of the world. But then the Opening ceremony went off spectacularly, or more accurately, without any mishap. That engendered a sense of relief all round.

Since then, there have been mixed reports. India’s performance at the events has been excellent, with our boys and girls, most of them from small towns and villages, winning medals in everything from discus throw to weight lifting. That is indeed a proud moment for all of us. Yet, the stands have been empty and ticket sales poor. Now all eyes are on the Games ending without any further mishaps, snafus or accidents so that all the athletes can go home and we, especially the people of Delhi, can get on with normal life.

But many issues have been thrown up by these Games that cannot just be discarded and forgotten so easily. Remember, the stories in the media were not only about dirty toilets and stupid statements about how the west and India have different standards of hygiene. We were talking major financial scams—the overbilling of equipment, the shoddy infrastructure and dangerous accidents and the total lack of transparency in the expenditure. For instance, we have no idea what the total outlay on the Games is, and the multiplicity of agencies handling different things is a perfect way to make things opaque.

There are other matters too, which our hyperactive media did not bother to focus on—the human rights violations of villagers whose lands were used to build stadia and the poor conditions in which the labourers were working. We know that a bridge fell down a few days before the Games were to start, but do we know if the injured got any compensation?

As concerned, articulate and aware Indians, worried about how the world would see us if the Games flopped, but that is missing the point. The flop or success of the Games per se will be forgotten within months and will not particularly impact on the investment decisions of the big companies which are looking at India. What they, and others will be keenly watching is how India handles the scandals once the heat and dust of the Games is over.

What makes one democratic country different from another is the rule of law. But just having laws on the statute books is not enough. Applying them fairly and with rigour is what matters. Are wrong doers brought to book? Are questions asked of people, no matter how powerful they are? Will someone pay for all that went wrong? In one word, is there accountability in the system?

As an Indian, I would like to proudly stand up and say, yes there is. Alas, I cannot do so with confidence. Time and again we have seen how the powerful get away scot free once the scandals disappear from the public eye. Or, if there is an initial hue and cry and the government takes some action to assuage public opinion, there is no follow up. Or there is the usual buck passing and finger pointing, two sports we Indians are champions at.

In the case of the Commonwealth Games, the facts, as far as one can see it, are clear. An Organising Committee with sweeping powers was set up to ensure that the Games went off well. Huge funds were put at its disposal. Various government agencies were entrusted with responsibilities, ranging from building stadia to constructing an athletics village to building infrastructure that would be beneficial to the city. All this within a certain budget. Little known is the role of the private sector, including foreign companies that were struggling to survive in their home countries and got the lifeline of big Delhi projects. Only two questions need to be asked—did they do the job they were supposed to and was there any financial mismanagement or malfeasance? Prima facie, it appears there was—therefore, the government should examine the matter thoroughly and hold the wrong doers to account.

Doing a good job of that will truly make do wonders for India and its international reputation. Citizens will be assured that the government is serious about rooting out corruption. Wrong doers will think twice before taking the public and everyone for a ride. And the world will be convinced, that the rule of law is of utmost importance in India; that is a great booster for every investor, to say the least. Will that happen? Let’s certainly hope so. That will be the real victory of these Games.

This article is written by Sidharth Bhatia is a senior Indian journalist who has worked in print, broadcast and online media. He is a columnist and regular commentator on current affairs for several leading publications and on national television.

He can be contacted at sidharth01@gmail.com

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