Commonwealth Games-New Delhi 2010

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 24 Sep 2010 19:57

PM of India Mr. MMS won "2010 World Statesman Award from USA's Appeals of Conscience Foundation" for his kindness and character in leading India thru S-e-S, Nuke-Deal, Mumbai 11/26, Corruption Scandals, POK fiasco, and most recently CWG fiasco.

Congratulations Mr. MMS. Now that you are called a person of great Conscience, kindly demonstrate it.

Fidel Guevara · Post by **Fidel Guevara** » 24 Sep 2010 20:28

In a perverse way, the comparisons between Beijing 2008 and Delhi 2010 indicate the essential differences between the two countries. In Beijing you had a national command-and-control approach that just bulldozed over all people's rights in the name of national pride, no foreigners allowed to enter into areas that haven't been thoroughly sanitised, all officials talking to the same points.

I'm sure if you entered the OG stadia before the officials were ready to show it off, you would have seen very similar scenes. But no one did, so nobody knows how they were.

Another failure here is on messaging, where every babu and neta is sounding off to the press to have their moment in the spotlight, and talking whatever comes to mind. Surely we could have the well-known concept of "official spokesman" implemented here?

Fidel Guevara · Post by **Fidel Guevara** » 24 Sep 2010 20:35

Being an ex-Dilliwallah, I was closely following the progress of the Metro, the airport, and of course the CWG. I had many probing questions (or others might call irritating annoying questions) to ask these authorities managing these 3 big projects.

My feedback :

1) Airport : 7 questions, 2 answered by the same person, non-committal general responses
2) Metro : 9 questions, 3 answered, again by the same PR cell, and with specific responses - I was impressed.
3) CWG : 15 questions, 2 answered by 2 different people, and both said they would forward my query to the "appropriate authority" and nothing after that.

In order to get responses, you need to set up a "firang media-person" kind of profile and ask questions in a semi-condescending manner. Too humble or too arrogant will not get you any responses.

vina · Post by **vina** » 24 Sep 2010 20:47

ramana wrote:Vina, Stop taking Rahul Mehta's name. He doesn't often visit the forum. besides he has been shown to be correct and has run fro office unlike his critics.

Thanks,

Why not ?. Shri Shri Baba Rahul Mehta Maharaji Ji with his absolutely correct analysis of the Neta-Babu-Judge-Pandu prie (NBJP) nexus ranks as one of the original thinkers here in BRF in my book. If he is not posting, maybe the mods should drop a hi hello rahul , how are you mail and ask him to start posting here again and invite him back with all H&D.

Rahul Mehta, where are you ? Come back!

vina · Post by **vina** » 24 Sep 2010 20:53

jagga wrote:PM slams Dikshit, Gill at emergency Games meet, results start showing
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired an emergency meeting at this residence on Thursday night to tackle the Commonwealth Games and made no secret of his anguish, and anger, over the shoddy preparations that have marred the build-up to the October 3 to 14 extravaganza.
With all the reports of "filth" in the Games Village really hitting the country's image hard, he took Sports Minister M S Gill and even Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to task. According to sources Lt. Governor of New Delhi Tejinder Khanna was "shivering" while responding to him .

Rubbish. This is the PMO's media /PR office putting a spin to project the PM as some sort of emperor in control. As if all these years he didn't hear about the shenanigans about the games and these concerns came up only at the last minute.

Face it, there are multiple lobbies, political groups and interest groups at work here. Some 20 committees, the central govt, state govt , organizing committee and all that , usually working at cross purposes, sniping at each other, each more corrupt than the other, looking to sabotage the other, political and patronage interests to watch out for .. a massive overdose of politics here. He couldn't do a damn about it. Now the things are falling apart and he wants to put out a Emperor like image. Thanks . Doesn't cut any ice.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 24 Sep 2010 20:59

Alarm was sounded long back in 2009

By Rama Lakshmi
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

NEW DELHI -- Nearly every road is dug up. Giant cranes and hazy dust cloud the skyline. India's capital is in the midst of a breathless construction overdrive in the run-up to an international sporting event scheduled for next year.

New Delhi hopes the Commonwealth Games, in which 71 former British colonies compete, will bring the global limelight that the Olympics brought to Beijing last year. Leaders see it as central to India's growing ambition to transform its cramped capital of 14 million people into a 21st-century supercity that can hope to host future Grand Prix auto races and Olympiads.

But the makeover dream is fast turning into a nightmare.

With the October 2010 deadline looming, a government report says that stadium designs, hotel rooms, sporting venues and roads are not fully ready. And some people are beginning to ask whether the chaotic capital of the world's largest democracy has what it takes to successfully put together a multi-sport mega-event the way China did.

"There is a real threat of India's showpiece games turning into a non-event," the Times of India newspaper said recently. A television news channel called Times Now asked viewers the painful question "Why can't we just get it right?"

"The entire city is dug up right now. New roads, the Metro, the bridges, new energy-efficient streetlights, power lines and drains. Delhi is in a hurry to demolish its old self and rebuild anew. That does create chaos and delays," said Sheila Dikshit, Delhi's chief minister. Now 71, she has ruled the city for 11 years with the promise of turning it around. "It is our opportunity to become a world-class city."
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India will be spending more than $325 million in getting the city ready with about 100 projects to upgrade its crumbling infrastructure, launch disabled-friendly buses, clean up the Yamuna River, and create heritage trails and public art.

And Dikshit plans a "Delhi celebrates" campaign -- like Beijing's pre-Olympics politeness training -- to teach etiquette to residents who will receive 200,000 visitors during the 11-day event.

Residents will be trained to respect lines, not jump traffic lights and lanes, and not fly into road rage, a frequent occurrence on Delhi's crowded streets. Training in basic English and politeness will be given to taxi and rickshaw drivers, railway station workers, immigration officers, shopkeepers, and 30,000 volunteers.

"We will be taking a leaf from the 'I Love New York' campaign to create pride among residents. We want to show the world that we are a courteous and clean people. We will teach people not to litter, spit and urinate in public spaces, and tell the men not to harass or stare at women." said Reena Ray, director of Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corp. "Every city around the world uses international sporting events to reinvent itself. China used the Olympics to announce to the world, "We have arrived."

Indian officials appear to have watched the Beijing Olympics very closely. As in Beijing, schools, colleges and courts will have a holiday during the games, but with a slightly different goal of preventing athletes from getting stuck in the capital's traffic jams.

While Beijing built walls to hide the unsavory parts, New Delhi wants a bamboo shield to conceal them.

"We will use tall bamboo plants as a natural screen to block the view of unseemly drains and slums," said Rakesh Mehta, the chief secretary in the city government. Five thousand bamboo saplings were planted last month, and 15,000 more are on their way.
( anyone can confirm that these bamboos are there or in the mussharff of Delhites?)
But with only a year to go, many doubt if India can pull off the transition of its capital the way China did.

New Delhi's complex, multilayered administrative structure is one of the biggest hurdles. Dikshit's elected government does not have control over land use, municipal bodies, slum redevelopment, sanitation, heritage sites, police or traffic. But if anything goes wrong in the run-up to the games, she faces public ire.

Her other challenge is to constantly manage the contradictions of what Indians jokingly call "too much democracy."

An overpass connecting the city to the airport was opposed because residents of an upscale neighborhood objected to the construction in front of their homes. The alternative was to break down a temple wall. But the temple devotees protested, and the city's legislative assembly passed a resolution against it. After six months, the VIP residents yielded and the work on the overpass resumed.

"The Indian cities are extremely congested, densely packed and disorganized. Every inch of sidewalk space has been taken over by a milk booth, a temple, a cobbler or a barber. And everybody has a right to protest. We cannot do what China did," said Gautam Bhatia, an independent architect and columnist.

He argued that India is not a sporting nation and that instead of building new state-of-the-art, air-conditioned sports facilities, the government should invest in improving the quality of life of its people. Bhatia wants India to call off the event.

But the suggestion is anathema to chief minister Dikshit.

"Would you call off a wedding just because the ring has reached late?" she asked. "There is no looking back. In fact, our plan is to get the city ready to bid for the Olympics in 2024."

No mention of Kalmadi anywhere in the article back in 2009. and SD wants to bid for Olympics. Does she have the same confidence now that opening ceremony is drawing nearer. What are chances of India ( Delhi ) bidding for Olympics 2024. Are these shows by media and white countries a plan to stave off India's future bid? Do these jokers be around in 2024 to organise Olympics 2024?
And why should Delhi bid for that? Are there no better cities in the Country?

SwamyG · Post by **SwamyG** » 24 Sep 2010 21:06

Lalmohan wrote:please do not underestimate "investor sentiment", it is very powerful. if an investor is about to put down $100M on a project and thinks that it will be badly delivered or mismanaged then his 10% return might look more like 9.5% return, he will put his money elsewhere

You must have picked the numbers as arbitrary examples; but how many countries in this current economy give good RoI? China, Brazil, India are the big ones no? So if you are an investor and have already invested in China and Brazil, isn't it prudent to diversify and still invest in India?

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 24 Sep 2010 21:17

investors are very jittery right now, small things are having a large effect
whilst the underlyings in India are good, weakened sentiment reduces or delays the overall investment levels
it raises the risk premiums that get charged
india is never going to be germany, but for us even to look like italy or greece or portugal (countries with similar political issues and chalta hai attitudes)... there is still a long way to go
we are not helping our cause

Jaspreet · Post by **Jaspreet** » 24 Sep 2010 21:32

According to sources Lt. Governor of New Delhi Tejinder Khanna was "shivering" while responding to him

Someone tell the journalist the difference between shivering and trembling.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 24 Sep 2010 21:35

Jaspreet wrote:
According to sources Lt. Governor of New Delhi Tejinder Khanna was "shivering" while responding to him
Someone tell the journalist the difference between shivering and trembling.

Better still, sri Tejinder ought to be checked for dengue or malaria first, not to mention SARS and bird flu. Only.

BTW, word has leaked that even our allies the Americans are boycotting the games......./sarc off.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 24 Sep 2010 21:42

chaanakya wrote:Alarm was sounded long back in 2009

No mention of Kalmadi anywhere in the article back in 2009. and SD wants to bid for Olympics. Does she have the same confidence now that opening ceremony is drawing nearer. What are chances of India ( Delhi ) bidding for Olympics 2024. Are these shows by media and white countries a plan to stave off India's future bid? Do these jokers be around in 2024 to organise Olympics 2024?
And why should Delhi bid for that? Are there no better cities in the Country?

Some serious investigation should be done to discover how that rascal kalmadi ( or more realistically, he should be renamed "swalpa adjust madi" ) made himself the head of the OC of the games. And more importantly who all helped him.
There is already some talk about forging of documents ctc.

vina · Post by **vina** » 24 Sep 2010 21:45

Some serious investigation should be done to discover how that rascal kalmadi ( or more realistically, he should be renamed "swalpa adjust madi" ) made himself the head of the OC of the games. And more importantly who all helped him.
There is already some talk about forging of documents ctc.

He was one of Rajiv Gandhi's men in the business of organizing sports meets. Essentially, this was a sniping between Rajiv Gandhis poodles (M.S Aiyer and Kalmadi ) with pro and anti Sheila Dixit groups training their guns on each other and open sabotage to make sure the other guy fails.

All that of course with 'common wealth' sloshing around, there was bucket loads of money to be literally scooped up from the streets. A great party for everyone indeed.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 24 Sep 2010 21:56

I protest people calling Kalmadi a rascal. The real rascals are the ones who put him in such an important role. So it keeps going up.

Can we stop this, before people report such posts???

thanks in advance...

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 24 Sep 2010 21:59

RamaY wrote:I protest people calling Kalmadi a rascal. The real rascals are the ones who put him in such an important role. So it keeps going up.

Can we stop this, before people report such posts???

thanks in advance...

rascal: One who is playfully mischievous.

You object to this?

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 24 Sep 2010 22:01

i think he meant "raaskel!" or "aiyo raskala!" or whatever other regional variant you prefer

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 24 Sep 2010 22:07

Games debacle could deter investors

Shambolic preparations for India's Commonwealth Games "could tarnish" the country's allure as an investment destination, a research arm of ratings giant Moody's Corp says.

"Confidence in India's infrastructure, its capacity to organise large events, and its reputation as a tourist destination have all been brought into question," Matt Robinson, a senior economist at Moody's Analytics, said on Friday.

The statements by Robinson in a research note came as New Delhi welcomed the first athletes to its crisis-hit Commonwealth Games and organisers raced against time to rescue the international sporting event.

The Commonwealth Games Federation signalled conditions were improving, but added that there was still work to do after the athletes' village was described as "uninhabitable" earlier in the week.

The Games, estimated to have cost India at least $US3 billion ($A3.16 billion) were meant to showcase the emergence of a country with superpower ambitions.

Instead, missed deadlines, political drift and chaotic organisation raised questions about whether the October 3-14 event would go ahead.

"The negative publicity could deter foreign investment and give multinational businesses considering expanding in India reason to think twice," Robinson, based in Sydney, Australia, said in the emailed note.

India, Asia's third-biggest economy, aims to nearly triple foreign investment flows to the country to $US100 billion ($A105.49 billion) by 2017.

The debacle "before the games are to begin risks tarnishing the event and embarrassing the organisers and the country as a whole", Robinson said.

The image that the nation was hoping to project was its new, dynamic one, the "shining" India -- one of nearly nine per cent economic growth and high-tech software companies.

Instead, the country's old image of inefficient bureaucracy, poor infrastructure, corruption and squalor has been broadcast around the world, critics say.

Controversies surrounding the Games"have dominated headlines at a time when India should have been showcasing its rising economy, recent infrastructure development and improved business environment", Robinson said.

Raghavendra · Post by **Raghavendra** » 24 Sep 2010 22:24

New Zealand, Australia happy with Games Village http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100924/37 ... h-gam.html

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 24 Sep 2010 22:33

chetak wrote:
RamaY wrote:I protest people calling Kalmadi a rascal. The real rascals are the ones who put him in such an important role. So it keeps going up.

Can we stop this, before people report such posts???

thanks in advance...

rascal: One who is playfully mischievous.

You object to this?

stu·pid
/ˈstupɪd, ˈstyu‐/ Show Spelled [stoo-pid, styoo‐] Show IPA adjective, -er, -est, noun
–adjective
1.
lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull.
2.
characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness; foolish; senseless: a stupid question.
3.
tediously dull, esp. due to lack of meaning or sense; inane; pointless: a stupid party.
4.
annoying or irritating; troublesome: Turn off that stupid radio.
5.
in a state of stupor; stupefied: stupid from fatigue.
6.
Slang . excellent; terrific.

Can we call our PM stupid?

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 24 Sep 2010 22:34

Lalmohan wrote:i think he meant "raaskel!" or "aiyo raskala!" or whatever other regional variant you prefer

Lalmohan ji... I got his usage.. just extrapolating it

Fidel Guevara · Post by **Fidel Guevara** » 24 Sep 2010 22:35

Until yesterday on ToI, with all the doom-and-gloom stories, the message boards were packed with "we are no good, we are useless, the games should fail" posts. Today, once Jacques Rogge says "give India a chance" and the England, Canada, Australian managers say that things are improving, the message boards have dried up. In fact now the few posters left are saying "media should be hung for featuring all this anti-national news, what do these damn goras think they are anyway" kind of posts.

So Kalmadi saying that we will fix all issues is useless, but when Rogge says things are getting better, that counts for a lot.

And by the way, some US think tank called India the 3rd most powerful country in the world, so of course we will have a successful CWG!

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 24 Sep 2010 22:38

^ Nice point FidelG!

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 24 Sep 2010 22:40

RamaY wrote:
stu·pid
/ˈstupɪd, ˈstyu‐/ Show Spelled [stoo-pid, styoo‐] Show IPA adjective, -er, -est, noun
–adjective
1.
lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull.
2.
characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness; foolish; senseless: a stupid question.
3.
tediously dull, esp. due to lack of meaning or sense; inane; pointless: a stupid party.
4.
annoying or irritating; troublesome: Turn off that stupid radio.
5.
in a state of stupor; stupefied: stupid from fatigue.
6.
Slang . excellent; terrific.
Can we call our PM stupid?

Yes, certainly one can if one so desires.

We are a free country, the last time I checked.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 24 Sep 2010 22:55

Linking the common wealth disaster to the economy is in full swing .This is what i was concerned about all along.

India's Disastrous Sporting Event Is A Big Red Flag About Its Economy

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 24 Sep 2010 23:46

Games should not have gone to Delhi, says Australia BBC News

Australia's Olympic Committee president has said the Commonwealth Games should not have been awarded to Delhi.

John Coates said the Commonwealth Games Federation lacked the resources to monitor progress and to ensure that construction deadlines were met.

I am really pissed off with these australians...

Is there something India can do to put these racist-ba*s in their place???

paramu · Post by **paramu** » 25 Sep 2010 00:02

TonyMontana wrote:
Suraj wrote:There's no way the stadia and CWG village cost ~$16 billion (Rs.70k crore). They're adding the cost of DEL T3, Delhi Metro and assorted civic works projects, as if they were made for CWG.
Kinda put the $60 billion the Chinese sinked into the Olympics to perspective doesn't it?

I thought it would be cheaper in China.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 25 Sep 2010 00:27

Let the Commonwealth Games begin

By Sir Ronald Sanders
Consultant and former Caribbean Diplomat

As I write this commentary, the media of the big Commonwealth countries are lambasting India over the preparations for the Commonwealth Games due to start in New Delhi on 3 October.
Much of the criticism is unfair and unhelpful.

India has just endured a dreadful monsoon season which delayed construction work. That was followed by an outbreak of dengue fever in Delhi, the Indian Capital and the location for the games.

There are, therefore, some good reasons for the poor state of part of the accommodation for athletes from 54 independent Commonwealth countries and dependencies such as Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands. Not enough attention has been paid by the critics to these circumstances.

Much has been made of the collapse of a footbridge under construction near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main Games venue.

Yet, the collapse was due to an engineering issue and it has no impact on the games' main venues.

Criticism

The state of the athletes' Village has also been heavily criticised with complaints of flooding, rooms soiled with excrement and stray dogs found on some beds.

Little account was taken of the recent monsoons and flooding that occurred carrying waste in the Village, and, importantly, that these are problems that could be fixed.

It is worth remembering that India is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, where cleanliness, hygiene and excellent service have received international acclaim.

Some commentators have gone further to suggest that the problems India faces are good reasons why major sporting events should not be held in developing countries.

They seem to have forgotten, conveniently, China’s breathtaking showing as host of the 2008 Olympic Games and South Africa’s marvellous performance as host of the 2010 Football World Cup Tournament.

Preparations

They have also overlooked that India has spent $3 billion preparing for the games.

Among the things it has successfully done are installing new infrastructure at the international airport in Delhi and a new metro.

This is not to say that the organizers of the Games ought not to have been more vigilant and that the government of India, recognizing that the eyes of sports lovers all over the world would be upon them, should not have more zealously overseen the arrangements.

But, the Indians themselves have been alive to delays in construction and poor work in some places.

'India's shame'

The vigorously independent Indian media has regularly dispensed its own share of harsh criticism of the organizers and the government.

Both the Times of India and the Hindustani Times showed that the majority of Indians are deeply embarrassed by reports of poor preparation of athlete’s accommodation.

The newspapers themselves took a hard line. For instance, The Times of India headlined one story: 'Commonwealth Games, India’s shame'.

Obviously, since India took on the obligation of hosting the Commonwealth Games, Indians wanted the best possible portrayal of their country to the world.

The widespread sense of embarrassment is understandable; it should be treated sympathetically and encouragement given to India’s desire to display itself in the best possible light.

Action

The government has responded to the complaints with decisive action.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh summoned the Sports Minister, M S Gill, l and the Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy to a meeting whose consequence was the deployment of even more resources to ensure that all problems with the athlete’s accommodation are corrected on time.

Security concerns have also been raised particularly about the safety of athletes.

Yet, the security arrangements measure up to international standards fully. They include: a three-tier security around all competition venues, helicopter surveillance, over 2,000 Close Circuit Televisions to monitor every movement around important locations and special vehicles to transport guests.

Athletes will be looked after by a team of dedicated security personnel drawn from the Delhi Police Force and the paramilitary forces, and the vehicles transporting them will undergo mandatory anti-sabotage clearance every morning.

Indian security forces are also accustomed to handling large crowds. Some events in India attract up to 60 million people. Few other countries in the world can make a similar claim.

Faint hearts

For these reasons, the athletes who have pulled out of the games have shown extremely faint hearts.

If they fear terrorists, they would have better reason to harbor such fears in London at the 2012 Olympic Games which will undoubtedly be a target for extremists.

On the other hand, if it is hygiene that it is the issue, they also face that problem in any number of restaurants around the world whose kitchens occasionally lapse.
Fears were also expressed about South Africa’s readiness to hold the 2010 World Cup Football Tournament.

Today, few have reason to criticize South Africa.

In the end, India will correct the deficiencies and get it right.

The country has more than enough organizational, technological, and creative talent to ensure the success of the Games. What the government must do now is to pull all that talent together to showcase the country’s capacity.

These Commonwealth Games are significant to India as host, but they are also important to the Commonwealth as an association of 54 states that have valued their close relations for over 60 years, and who believe that, collectively, they have a unique contribution to make to global understanding.

The Commonwealth represents one-third of all mankind and it straddles every continent in the world; its people are of all races and religions; and its countries are large and small, rich and poor.

The Games are a traditional celebration by its athletes of their fierce but friendly competition. It is also good preparation for the Olympics.

hnair · Post by **hnair** » 25 Sep 2010 00:44

Dileep wrote:Hey, what is wrong with that toilet? All it takes is an hour by a guy to make it sparkling clean!! In fact EVERY construction site in these parts of the world looks like that before the final clean up.

True. This entire thing is a setup and is easy to fix: spread bleach, wait for a few mins and hose it down. It is as I mentioned here, a rather predictable script, except for that bridge collapse

Look how magically everything came into place. Every one including BRF stalwarts, aam-web aadmi etc played out their roles of indignation very well. Who says SDREs cant out-flank gora's games? PLA dudes who managed the last Olympics must be reaching for their aspirin at what is happening

What is scary is some oiropean-gora seeing through this and giving us Olympics. That would be a true disaster

sampat · Post by **sampat** » 25 Sep 2010 00:49

Now, Delhi should make it sure that F1 debut is fantastic. Though, beeb has already began questioning if track will be ready in time.

Kukreja · Post by **Kukreja** » 25 Sep 2010 01:11

I know some of you will be disappointed looking at these pics

Team Wales pics of their room at CWG village

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...26663540695143

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 25 Sep 2010 01:12

RamaY wrote:Games should not have gone to Delhi, says Australia BBC News
Australia's Olympic Committee president has said the Commonwealth Games should not have been awarded to Delhi.

John Coates said the Commonwealth Games Federation lacked the resources to monitor progress and to ensure that construction deadlines were met.
I am really pissed off with these australians...

Is there something India can do to put these racist-ba*s in their place???

" none of my ancestors were crimnals what about you" .....................stick this stickers on car bumpers all over Delhi.

AdityaM · Post by **AdityaM** » 25 Sep 2010 02:10

Media going into overdrive in presenting the tough guy image of MMS. Soon public will be all praises for upa. As I said before kalmadi is the sponge that absorbs all criticism that should have been directed elsewhere. Now channels are openly blaming bjp for not speaking up earlier while not a word against congress.

Fidel Guevara · Post by **Fidel Guevara** » 25 Sep 2010 02:16

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cwga ... 622899.cms

Shoddy, chaotic preparations for the Games and concerns over security have tarnished India's image and may hurt its reputation as an investment and tourist destination, global rating agency Moody's has said.

"Concerns regarding safety, security and site preparedness are tarnishing the country's global image... India's reputation as a tourist and investment destination could be damaged," Moody's Analytics, a unit of the rating agency, said in a note written by Sydney-based economist Matt Robinson.

"Confidence in India's infrastructure, its capacity to organize large events, and its reputation as a tourist destination have all been brought into question... The negative publicity could deter foreign investment and give multinational businesses considering expanding in India reason to think twice," it said.

The report confirms the fear that the damage caused by the Games organizers will stretch far beyond what happens during the event itself.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 25 Sep 2010 02:22

Read the article in full !

India's cash & clout soften tough stands

The English have arrived in Delhi, even if not at the Games Village. The Scots will travel on Saturday, the Canadians on Sunday, the Kiwis say they'll get on a plane Tuesday, the Welsh are satisfied that everything is ready and the Australians say they are quite happy and "(the) contingent is coming".

The tide, choppy and lashing at India's self-esteem, appears to be changing in the last 12 hours. What's the reason? Two words: Cash and clout. The combination has led western governments to search for some way to send their teams to the crisis-ridden Games.

Diplomats agree the consequences of walking away from Delhi, capital of a rising economic power, could have been grave.

The Commonwealth countries have said 'yes' to the Games. Has India's cash and clout prompted the Western countries to change their minds? "Even the merest clean-up and reassurances from Delhi were enough for us to make a go of it," admitted a diplomat.

This appeared to have happened on Friday with Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief Michael Fennell visiting the Village and reporting that "considerable" improvements had been made. But in a warning that was also echoed by England chef de mission Craig Hunter, Fennell made it clear the organizers had to stay on their toes.

Sports minister MS Gill has also called up his counterparts from England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and they have given assurances that the teams will be participating in the Games.

The feeling that enlightened self-interest has been a key driver for countries like Australia, New Zealand, England and Canada was reinforced by their being bowled over suddenly by India's PR drive, led by Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. The lady's "gracious presence" at the Games Village, supervising the clean-up operation, was mentioned by virtually everyone as something that has infused them with loads of confidence. This despite the fact that the first few delegations will have to check into hotels instead of the Village which will become habitable only on Monday.

England's Craig Hunter added a caveat to his optimism: "Our next wave of athletes arrives Sunday and a lot still needs to happen before then. More and swift action is required." New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley said there has been significant progress in the last 24 hours but added that his team would continue to review hygiene and security issues on a daily basis. "We remain hopeful that things can be turned round," he said.

The English delegation, comprising hockey and lawn ball players and officials, stayed in three different hotels in the city. "We are heading for the hotels. We will leave for the Games Village on Monday," said a delegate at the airport. A senior OC official told TOI the delegation would have to foot their hotel bills.

Late on Friday, the England men's hockey team visited the Village and the team captain Barry Middleton told the BBC they were reasonably satisfied. "It's nice to see it for ourselves. The flats are spacious, which is good for a major Games, but there are bits and pieces to be done to bring them up to standard. A couple of days will make a difference." In other words, the efficient jhadu-pochha ops have to continue.

A western diplomat said the Games are ultimately a bump on the road of India's progress and long-term trends indicated it was best to stay engaged and friendly with Delhi. Add up the numbers and Friday's talk of a "triumphant spirit of sport" makes sense.

Take the example of Canada. Canadian direct investment in India is roughly 600 million Canadian dollars, while Indian direct investment in Canada is five times as much. In 2009, Canada ranked India as its 10th most important destination for the export of vegetables, fertilizers and machinery. Its officials agree their country didn't come out of the global recession well and are scouting for long-term access in India to keep the cash coming in.

India is currently Australia's third-largest export market. In 2009, Australia's trade surplus with India was a staggering $15.5 billion. Till the student row broke out, Indians were contributing roughly $1bn to Australia's third biggest export sector, education. Now, sources say Australia is out of pocket by at least $50 million because Indian student enrolment has dropped by half.

For the English too, cash counts, but more so the nominal clout they get by keeping the 54-member Commonwealth alive and kicking. This is seen to be the main reason England on Thursday night almost single-handedly helped lift the pall by announcing it would be sending a full team. London could not talk to Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland officials about sending their teams to Delhi because sport is a devolved issue in the UK but everyone knew that once England agreed the rest would get onboard too.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 25 Sep 2010 02:38

all the external hoo haa and our differing degrees of responses to it aside, we still have a fundamental issue with poor governance and lack of accountability, and it would appear that a lot of mango people have been poorly treated by the state (once again) to make the games happen
looking inwards (and ignoring the convict descended media who screamed the loudest) - this is what needs to be fixed

Fidel Guevara · Post by **Fidel Guevara** » 25 Sep 2010 02:43

Rony wrote:Read the article in full !

India's cash & clout soften tough stands

Take the example of Canada. In 2009, Canada ranked India as its 10th most important destination for the export of vegetables, fertilizers and machinery. Its officials agree their country didn't come out of the global recession well ( funny, I live in Canada, and the press keeps harping about the strongest recovery among the G7) and are scouting for long-term access in India to keep the cash coming in.

India is currently Australia's third-largest export market. In 2009, Australia's trade surplus with India was a staggering $15.5 billion. Till the student row broke out, Indians were contributing roughly $1bn to Australia's third biggest export sector, education. Now, sources say Australia is out of pocket by at least $50 million because Indian student enrolment has dropped by half. (Half of $1bn is $50 million - madrassah maths strikes again!)

Not to nitpick, but Canadian exports to India were $2.4B in 2008, out of total Canadian exports of $490B (< 0.5%)
Indian exports to Canada were $2.2B, out of total Indian exports of $163B (1.3%)

(figures on merchandise export only, if we include services, the Indian export figure will increase significantly)

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Sep 2010 02:51

If UK hadn't turned up most likely India would have walked out of Commonwealth which wouldn't be valid anymore. Kind of makes all those post 1947 shenanigans waste.

TonyMontana · Post by **TonyMontana** » 25 Sep 2010 02:52

paramu wrote: I thought it would be cheaper in China.

It depends on what you're buying.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 25 Sep 2010 02:53

A let down for a proud nation

The CWG imbroglio is an illustration of a malaise India outgrew long ago, writes Peter Roebuck

By all accounts, the Commonwealth Games entrusted to the capital city of one of the most influential countries around is going to be a profound disappointment. Already it has shown this mighty nation in a poor light.

Admittedly Westerners can be fussy but they are entitled to expect high standards. After all they come not as curious visitors but as elite performers.

Of course it is still possible that India might pull it off.

Experience with cricket grounds indicates that locals can work miracles at the last minute. Examining facilities two days before the match is due to begin is like studying an incomplete Picasso; its all squiggles and odd shapes. Somehow it comes together.

Every nation is different. Greeks drink strong coffee, South Americans listen to jazz till dawn. Germans rise on organisation, Australians relish regulation. By the look of things Indians respond only to a crisis.

In an attempt to rescue the situation Manmohan Singh is putting his shoulder to the wheel. But the involvement of an esteemed and busy leader confirms the parlous state of preparations.

Meanwhile reporters rail against the strategy of putting the Games in the hands of corrupt and sluggish public officials and not private enterprise. A proud nation feels that it has been let down.

If the Games go badly then it might signify the long awaited demise of old India. In that case dismay may once again be the mother of progress.

Other countries have met the challenge of hosting major international events. Doubtless locals admired the way South Africa staged the recent football World Cup. Against most predictions, Greece held a superb Olympics. Now Brazil has been given responsibility for the next edition of the football World Cup. Of course it will be a triumph. Brazil is mad for the game and will not tolerate anything else.

Now it is India's turn to stand up. Of course it has held many previous meetings of all descriptions and ended with ribbons.

India's first cricket World Cup was the most enjoyable in memory. All the more reason to rage at the current squalor. Sometimes to smile and shrug is to patronise.

India's response to the slipshod organisation has been encouraging. In the past locals might have been offended by the bad reviews. Now they condemn not the critics but their own leaders. A modern, ambitious country has emerged in the last few years, one unwilling to tolerate third rate service.

According to McKinsey's, in the next 15 years 291 million Indians will move from poverty to a sustainable lifestyle whilst the middle class will increase from 50 million to 583 million people. That changes everything. Muddling along is no longer enough.

Perhaps the Games will surpass expectations. After all there is a warmth in this country that raises the spirit even as it exhausts the body. Regardless, the setbacks are not acceptable.

Certainly cricket followers are entitled to demand that their forthcoming World Cup be a resounding success. The BCCI has plenty of money. Anything less ought to lead to widespread resignations. Top class facilities are required — for players, public and press. Brown bags and last minute rescue missions ought to be things of the past.

Sport has been a laggard in India. An abundance of scientists, economists, businessmen, writers and thinkers have emerged. Many prestigious prizes have been won. But sport continues to depend not on the excellence of the structures but on the brilliance of the individual.

Indian teams succeed despite the system not because of it. That cannot be tolerated a moment longer. A revolution is needed.

Delhi is merely an illustration of a malaise India outgrew long ago.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 25 Sep 2010 02:55

Lalmohan wrote:investors are very jittery right now, small things are having a large effect
whilst the underlyings in India are good, weakened sentiment reduces or delays the overall investment levels
it raises the risk premiums that get charged
india is never going to be germany, but for us even to look like italy or greece or portugal (countries with similar political issues and chalta hai attitudes)... there is still a long way to go
we are not helping our cause

Lalmohanji, agree investors are very jittery. However, the CWG fiasco is not that much on the minds of such investors. More damage has been done by the antics of Mamata in the Nano episode, the Vedanta-tribal episode, the the POSCO -tribal episode, the Nuclear Suppliers liability clause, and last but not least, the Prince-e-waiting Rahul taking a leftward move and siding against industry no doubt in consonance with his soul mate David Miliband. In short, the view that India might be structurally resistant to the quantum of change needed.

These erode investor confidence far more than the CWG saga and these are even more unhelpful to our cause. CWG is just icing on the cake.

The risk premia will increase as a function of any further pillion riding shooters, Maoist massacres of CPRF and a perception that the Maoists could extend their terror into the cities.

Also agree we'll never become Germany--not in a 1000 year Reich. But we must become a China in 10 years. That will take governance, accountability and immediate justice. A tall order.

JMT

TonyMontana · Post by **TonyMontana** » 25 Sep 2010 03:23

Ajatshatru wrote:
india is never going to be germany
Me confused onlee ....why should India feel the need to become Germany? India in a few decades may become a superpower while Germany in a few years time would just be another small country of Europe with influence of power confined mostly to Europe.

I think he's trying to say that India should be happy to get to the level of Germany. Anything beyond like Supapowerdom is just cream on top.