I got this mail from a friend, Nikita Patharkar, about Chetan Bhagat’s views on the Commonwealth Games. I chose to reply to her stating my opinion on the same. She replied and I replied again. :)
Here is his article. Our opinions on it follow right after..
Please don’t cheer the 2010 loot-fest - The Times of India
I am not going to harp on about how messed up the Commonwealth Games are.
Enough has been written. The CWG 2010 is, by far, the biggest and most blatant, exercise in corruption in independent India’s history. Not only have they stolen public money, they’ve made a mess of the job at hand.
Delhi is dug up and the official anthem (and ringtone) of the Games should be the never ending sound of drilling. If you worry about whether or not the work will finish on time, imagine the plight of Delhi’s residents after the Games. The dug-up roads will never be repaired; the potholes will remain as souvenirs, symbolic of the great daylight robbery of 2010. Posturing, something this government has a PhD in, is in full progress.
Enquiry reports, vague statements, tossing responsibility from one person to the other will continue, until the Games are over. After that, fingers crossed, people will forget. Bollywood stars will do the closing ceremony and the entertainment provided will somewhat compensate for the loot-fest.
In the middle of all this, there will be propaganda campaigns to ‘save India’s image’ and get the Games done somehow. People will be expected to support the event - after all, the pride of India is at stake. The great Indian youth will be called upon to fill stadiums and add energy to the event. However, if we, the Indian people, support these Games, it will be a big mistake. This is a golden chance for citizens to put this corrupt and insensitive government to shame. Usually corruption issues are local in nature and they never really get the national traction or resonance that these Games have offered.
The CWG is an amazing opportunity because all Indians have been robbed at the same time. Add to that the fact that the government is desperate to save face. Now is when we can get them. And the way to do it is simply what the father of our nation pioneered in his time — noncooperation. Yes, and i’ve deliberated long before saying this — do not watch these Games. Do not go to the venues. Do not watch them on TV. You cannot become a cheerleader to an exercise in cheating. The Indian people have been exploited enough, but to expect us to smile through it is a bit much. If they can walk out of Parliament, we can walk out of stadiums.
Some might say, shouldn’t we support the Games on account of our country’s pride? The word ‘pride’ reminds me of a little story. When i was a child, our neighbors were a violent man and his battered wife. The woman would cover her bruise marks with make-up, suffering silently. Whenever we visited them, the couple presented the perfect picture of a happy couple.
She even praised her husband. I asked my mother why the woman behaved in that way and didn’t expose her husband to show him in his true colors. My mother told me it doesn’t look nice to portray an unhappy home. She has to save the family pride. Over time, the bruises turned to fractures, and the fractures became near-fatal injuries. Until one day, police cars and ambulances came in and took both husband and wife away respectively.
Yes, such is Indian culture. We are ready to cover up injustice on account of a fake sense of honor that needs to show everything is in order. In the case of the CWG, the organizers are the oppressive husband, the Indian people the battered wife. But modern Indian wives do not stay silent and suffering anymore.
College unions, schools and individuals should take a stand and make clear — we do not support these Games. Just as Gandhiji figured, the oppressor can oppress us; it cannot make us cooperate. Brand ambassadors lending their names to these Games should think twice before lending their image to cover up corruption. The foreign media could present the full picture, namely that it is not the Indian people’s fault, it is a bunch of losers who didn’t think twice before looting the coffers of a poor country. The foreign media could use the situation to explain why India doesn’t win Olympic medals — not because we don’t have the talent but because people who run sports would rather stuff their pockets with stolen gold than help their country win a gold medal.
This government came to power just a little more than a year ago. They had a clear majority and enjoyed stability. They could have, if they wanted, shown exemplary governance for the next five years. Instead, they’ve given the Indian people nothing but extreme inflation and extreme corruption. Way to go, leaders. You guys are really great role models for our youth.
The opposition parties have a big chance to capitalize on all this. But first they need to get along, not mix religion with politics and get aspirational leaders who are clean and work hard. They would be back before you know it.
And if the ruling party wants to get out of this mess, there is only one way. No, it isn’t to execute the Games well — nobody cares about the silly Commonwealth club anyway. The only way to get out of this is to punish the people who did it, irrespective of their stature, and punish them hard. Use this as an opportunity to kill corruption, not to put on a grand, fake show. Otherwise, those holes you are digging in Delhi will be nothing but your political graves. People in India tolerate a lot, but when they get upset, they cause upset. Fix the mess, or the Indian people will soon be telling you — game over.
My opinion:
Yea, right. Like it's going to really matter to any of those who are responsible for this mess whether we support Commonwealth or not. They have been corrupt all the way and will still be irrespective of anything.
Nevertheless, it's strange how he hasn't really thought about how everything has conveniently gone wrong at the same time, just one after another. Bad hotel rooms, followed by the bridge collapse, followed by the discovery of a snake et al could be (in my opinion) a well-strategised way to attract attention and prove to the world that India could turn around in just 15 days to host the biggest event in the best way. Doesn't good look its best when a worst precedes it? (Think about it :) ) Anyway, my point is outright boycotting is not the solution or an appropriate way of reacting to a situation like this. It's best to prove that we still support our country irrespective of the unwanted elements, if any, proving to be corrupt at every point in time.
If boycott would make a difference, we should boycott everything that's going wrong. But since, the control still lies with them, it's hardly a reason to worry or hope for an improvement in the long run. The best solution is to curb corruption at the levels that are within our reach, and that can be curbed by us and us alone, and that can be curbed at all times, irrespective of the advent of a big event like Commonwealth.
While IPL2 made us keep our heads high, CWG seems to make us put them down.. But remember, we still have our feet on the land of India.
So, it's more of a duty and less of a choice.
I still believe CWG will be awesome despite all of the pre-event mishaps. If it doesn't, it's still fine. At least, we know what not to do in future.
Nikita Patharkar's opinion:
See.. The point is that this is the only place where we can do something against them.. This is something in our hands.. If the stadiums are empty , not full obviously it's embarrasing . They'll at least do stuff to keep themselves in power then have to and this is the right time to take advantage o it! See there has to be a revolution.. If everyone follows it the politicians will at least face something rough. Because, this time it's not about facing India but the world. They want to keep up to their reputation in front o the world, because the world won't take their bullshit, the way the common man needs to! Are you getting it? There has to be a revolution.. Pride is not applicable there. Because to gain something, you have to lose something, there has to be a start , a start to protest..
And you seriously want to wait for the future? So that some more people die with bomb blasts being a casual thing.. U think our politicians are not funded by the underworld? U can't keep waiting.. N did u know some teams n some of the last years champions have retreated..?? U think they improving in 5 days is going to overshadow the disaster that took place? No.. Because this time they are facing people elsewhere who are not the Indians:) :)
One more thing.. Let me repeat. There has to be a revolution. You think our country would have gained independence if there were no Lokmanya tilak, Savarkar Bhagat Singh , Subhashchandra Bose etc? No... There has to be a revotuion. Someone has to go ahead n break the attitude.. CWG is a good enough reason. Yes it is.. N if there is no revolutionary people like us, educated have to revolt. We have to do wich wil bring us pride in the true sense! Dude suppose cwg is a pride what about the constant attacks? Where does your pride go then? Is it your pride to keep mum? No.. This time we have an opportunity.. It's not bout pride. After 9 11 not a single attack in America but look at our country! .. If the politicians don't do anything we have to! For the lives of the people. You're saying stuff so easily because 26 11 dint affect us .. We have to start. It's high time.
My opinion:
Well, I'm not saying we must keep mum. I'm just saying people up there, including the much more educated Manmohan Singh is not dumb enough to book a place as bad as that for the stay of elite guys who come in. I'm just saying we've been trying hard every time to boycott, but in vain because they do not care! It's shameful they don't. It's true nevertheless.
About bomb blasts, it's not a matter of shame but a matter of disappointment that humanity has lost its might. Terrorist attacks are something that, beyond a point, are beyond our control. And if you have been following the number of bombs that have been defused along with the number of those that have managed to escape the surveillance, you'll know how desperately this entire world is trying to beat it.
Terrorists, politicians (corrupt ones, I mean) belong to a category of unwanted people, who need to be taught a lesson according to you. But don't you think such guys have grown with the mentality of corruption and violence in their heads? It's shameful, I agree. But boycott is not a solution. We need to spread out something amongst ourselves and foment more people like you and me to have the courage to get into the system ourselves to change it. Since everybody has to die, these (#@!@# will die too, and with them, their @#@#$ mentality. And after that will there be an era, where corruption, though not completely wiped out, will be at its least because it'll be you and me in the system.
A slap will matter to someone who isn't used to one. These guys are used to slaps and embarrassments. A revolution might live for some time now, but they'll again make sure it dies out with time. You might argue that a revolution by our great freedom fighters worked wonders, but there is a part of each of those great guys in each of us. But following just what they did isn't going to work now since the circumstances are different and the people we are dealing with are different. So, if we take things in our own hands, it will make sense.
I might be wrong. It's just an opinion I state. So, do not take it to heart. Afterall, we are Indians and we love India and I am also not comfortable with reading front page news that makes me shudder.
Anyway, to each his own. What you say makes perfect sense too. It is high time we rise up to all of it but the feasibility is what I worry about.
Here is his article. Our opinions on it follow right after..
Please don’t cheer the 2010 loot-fest - The Times of India
I am not going to harp on about how messed up the Commonwealth Games are.
Enough has been written. The CWG 2010 is, by far, the biggest and most blatant, exercise in corruption in independent India’s history. Not only have they stolen public money, they’ve made a mess of the job at hand.
Delhi is dug up and the official anthem (and ringtone) of the Games should be the never ending sound of drilling. If you worry about whether or not the work will finish on time, imagine the plight of Delhi’s residents after the Games. The dug-up roads will never be repaired; the potholes will remain as souvenirs, symbolic of the great daylight robbery of 2010. Posturing, something this government has a PhD in, is in full progress.
Enquiry reports, vague statements, tossing responsibility from one person to the other will continue, until the Games are over. After that, fingers crossed, people will forget. Bollywood stars will do the closing ceremony and the entertainment provided will somewhat compensate for the loot-fest.
In the middle of all this, there will be propaganda campaigns to ‘save India’s image’ and get the Games done somehow. People will be expected to support the event - after all, the pride of India is at stake. The great Indian youth will be called upon to fill stadiums and add energy to the event. However, if we, the Indian people, support these Games, it will be a big mistake. This is a golden chance for citizens to put this corrupt and insensitive government to shame. Usually corruption issues are local in nature and they never really get the national traction or resonance that these Games have offered.
The CWG is an amazing opportunity because all Indians have been robbed at the same time. Add to that the fact that the government is desperate to save face. Now is when we can get them. And the way to do it is simply what the father of our nation pioneered in his time — noncooperation. Yes, and i’ve deliberated long before saying this — do not watch these Games. Do not go to the venues. Do not watch them on TV. You cannot become a cheerleader to an exercise in cheating. The Indian people have been exploited enough, but to expect us to smile through it is a bit much. If they can walk out of Parliament, we can walk out of stadiums.
Some might say, shouldn’t we support the Games on account of our country’s pride? The word ‘pride’ reminds me of a little story. When i was a child, our neighbors were a violent man and his battered wife. The woman would cover her bruise marks with make-up, suffering silently. Whenever we visited them, the couple presented the perfect picture of a happy couple.
She even praised her husband. I asked my mother why the woman behaved in that way and didn’t expose her husband to show him in his true colors. My mother told me it doesn’t look nice to portray an unhappy home. She has to save the family pride. Over time, the bruises turned to fractures, and the fractures became near-fatal injuries. Until one day, police cars and ambulances came in and took both husband and wife away respectively.
Yes, such is Indian culture. We are ready to cover up injustice on account of a fake sense of honor that needs to show everything is in order. In the case of the CWG, the organizers are the oppressive husband, the Indian people the battered wife. But modern Indian wives do not stay silent and suffering anymore.
College unions, schools and individuals should take a stand and make clear — we do not support these Games. Just as Gandhiji figured, the oppressor can oppress us; it cannot make us cooperate. Brand ambassadors lending their names to these Games should think twice before lending their image to cover up corruption. The foreign media could present the full picture, namely that it is not the Indian people’s fault, it is a bunch of losers who didn’t think twice before looting the coffers of a poor country. The foreign media could use the situation to explain why India doesn’t win Olympic medals — not because we don’t have the talent but because people who run sports would rather stuff their pockets with stolen gold than help their country win a gold medal.
This government came to power just a little more than a year ago. They had a clear majority and enjoyed stability. They could have, if they wanted, shown exemplary governance for the next five years. Instead, they’ve given the Indian people nothing but extreme inflation and extreme corruption. Way to go, leaders. You guys are really great role models for our youth.
The opposition parties have a big chance to capitalize on all this. But first they need to get along, not mix religion with politics and get aspirational leaders who are clean and work hard. They would be back before you know it.
And if the ruling party wants to get out of this mess, there is only one way. No, it isn’t to execute the Games well — nobody cares about the silly Commonwealth club anyway. The only way to get out of this is to punish the people who did it, irrespective of their stature, and punish them hard. Use this as an opportunity to kill corruption, not to put on a grand, fake show. Otherwise, those holes you are digging in Delhi will be nothing but your political graves. People in India tolerate a lot, but when they get upset, they cause upset. Fix the mess, or the Indian people will soon be telling you — game over.
My opinion:
Yea, right. Like it's going to really matter to any of those who are responsible for this mess whether we support Commonwealth or not. They have been corrupt all the way and will still be irrespective of anything.
Nevertheless, it's strange how he hasn't really thought about how everything has conveniently gone wrong at the same time, just one after another. Bad hotel rooms, followed by the bridge collapse, followed by the discovery of a snake et al could be (in my opinion) a well-strategised way to attract attention and prove to the world that India could turn around in just 15 days to host the biggest event in the best way. Doesn't good look its best when a worst precedes it? (Think about it :) ) Anyway, my point is outright boycotting is not the solution or an appropriate way of reacting to a situation like this. It's best to prove that we still support our country irrespective of the unwanted elements, if any, proving to be corrupt at every point in time.
If boycott would make a difference, we should boycott everything that's going wrong. But since, the control still lies with them, it's hardly a reason to worry or hope for an improvement in the long run. The best solution is to curb corruption at the levels that are within our reach, and that can be curbed by us and us alone, and that can be curbed at all times, irrespective of the advent of a big event like Commonwealth.
While IPL2 made us keep our heads high, CWG seems to make us put them down.. But remember, we still have our feet on the land of India.
So, it's more of a duty and less of a choice.
I still believe CWG will be awesome despite all of the pre-event mishaps. If it doesn't, it's still fine. At least, we know what not to do in future.
Nikita Patharkar's opinion:
See.. The point is that this is the only place where we can do something against them.. This is something in our hands.. If the stadiums are empty , not full obviously it's embarrasing . They'll at least do stuff to keep themselves in power then have to and this is the right time to take advantage o it! See there has to be a revolution.. If everyone follows it the politicians will at least face something rough. Because, this time it's not about facing India but the world. They want to keep up to their reputation in front o the world, because the world won't take their bullshit, the way the common man needs to! Are you getting it? There has to be a revolution.. Pride is not applicable there. Because to gain something, you have to lose something, there has to be a start , a start to protest..
And you seriously want to wait for the future? So that some more people die with bomb blasts being a casual thing.. U think our politicians are not funded by the underworld? U can't keep waiting.. N did u know some teams n some of the last years champions have retreated..?? U think they improving in 5 days is going to overshadow the disaster that took place? No.. Because this time they are facing people elsewhere who are not the Indians:) :)
One more thing.. Let me repeat. There has to be a revolution. You think our country would have gained independence if there were no Lokmanya tilak, Savarkar Bhagat Singh , Subhashchandra Bose etc? No... There has to be a revotuion. Someone has to go ahead n break the attitude.. CWG is a good enough reason. Yes it is.. N if there is no revolutionary people like us, educated have to revolt. We have to do wich wil bring us pride in the true sense! Dude suppose cwg is a pride what about the constant attacks? Where does your pride go then? Is it your pride to keep mum? No.. This time we have an opportunity.. It's not bout pride. After 9 11 not a single attack in America but look at our country! .. If the politicians don't do anything we have to! For the lives of the people. You're saying stuff so easily because 26 11 dint affect us .. We have to start. It's high time.
My opinion:
Well, I'm not saying we must keep mum. I'm just saying people up there, including the much more educated Manmohan Singh is not dumb enough to book a place as bad as that for the stay of elite guys who come in. I'm just saying we've been trying hard every time to boycott, but in vain because they do not care! It's shameful they don't. It's true nevertheless.
About bomb blasts, it's not a matter of shame but a matter of disappointment that humanity has lost its might. Terrorist attacks are something that, beyond a point, are beyond our control. And if you have been following the number of bombs that have been defused along with the number of those that have managed to escape the surveillance, you'll know how desperately this entire world is trying to beat it.
Terrorists, politicians (corrupt ones, I mean) belong to a category of unwanted people, who need to be taught a lesson according to you. But don't you think such guys have grown with the mentality of corruption and violence in their heads? It's shameful, I agree. But boycott is not a solution. We need to spread out something amongst ourselves and foment more people like you and me to have the courage to get into the system ourselves to change it. Since everybody has to die, these (#@!@# will die too, and with them, their @#@#$ mentality. And after that will there be an era, where corruption, though not completely wiped out, will be at its least because it'll be you and me in the system.
A slap will matter to someone who isn't used to one. These guys are used to slaps and embarrassments. A revolution might live for some time now, but they'll again make sure it dies out with time. You might argue that a revolution by our great freedom fighters worked wonders, but there is a part of each of those great guys in each of us. But following just what they did isn't going to work now since the circumstances are different and the people we are dealing with are different. So, if we take things in our own hands, it will make sense.
I might be wrong. It's just an opinion I state. So, do not take it to heart. Afterall, we are Indians and we love India and I am also not comfortable with reading front page news that makes me shudder.
Anyway, to each his own. What you say makes perfect sense too. It is high time we rise up to all of it but the feasibility is what I worry about.
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