Commonwealth Games-New Delhi 2010

Abhijeet · Post by **Abhijeet** » 28 Sep 2010 18:00

Mike Fennell comes across as a pretty down to earth guy in this interview. He seems careful with his words but not overly diplomatic. Clearly says that India was not ready for an event of this complexity, although he doesn't speak about the corruption.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/devils-advoc ... 718-3.html

There should be a checklist to gauge the readiness of countries to host international events. One of the big criteria IMO should be a network of access controlled expressways across the country. In 2010, access controlled expressways between the largest cities in a country should be a pretty basic thing. Countries which can't even do this clearly have a long way to go in getting their act together.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 28 Sep 2010 18:24

Fennell has probably seen corruption in every games he has been involved with, so best not to talk about it. the issue is, in other countries, people eat paisa but deliver, here paisa has been long hajam'ed but delivery has not taken place

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 28 Sep 2010 18:27

mnag wrote:He and his cronies have been well compenstated for his service. We should feel sorry for people like us who are totally powerless to do anything to punish these politicians.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 627692.cms

With mike hooper's lavish life style recently exposed, does someone has any idea as to what salary and perks kalmadi is enjoying?

It has to be something comparable.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 28 Sep 2010 18:28

kalmadi's wealth will make hooper look like a pauper

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 28 Sep 2010 19:00

As usual it is Army to the rescue. Hats off to Madras Sappers.
Army rebuilds fallen CWG bridge in four days

It took seven years and Rs. 5 crore for a company to build a Foot Over Bridge (FOB) near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which then collapsed. The Indian Army, which was called in to salvage the Delhi's pride and build a temporary FOB, has done the same job in four days flat and at a fraction of the original cost.

Over 700 combat engineers from The Madras Engineer Group, informally known as the Madras Sappers (a regiment of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army) began work on the bridge on Saturday afternoon. The Indian Army and the Delhi government had said that the bridge, which has three piers and have four spans spread over 250 feet, was expected to be delivered in five days.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 28 Sep 2010 19:43

the army bridge is a basic bailey bridge assembled in sections.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailey_bridge
pretty low in looks but does get the job done.

the original collapsed bridge was supposed to be a walkway suspended below a concrete arch with wires...imo a peculiar and complicated
design for the application.

I was hoping some more shock n awe sarvatra type 70t bridges would be wheeled out , with square jawed armour regiment troopers
standing by with HMGs....

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 28 Sep 2010 19:50

Singha wrote:
I was hoping some more shock n awe sarvatra type 70t bridges would be wheeled out , with square jawed armour regiment troopers
standing by with HMGs....

Boss,

Have a heart.

You don't want to scare the shit out of these CWG athlete type guys.

You very well know that there is a heavy shortage of toilets.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 28 Sep 2010 19:57

Dilbu wrote:As usual it is Army to the rescue. Hats off to Madras Sappers.

Years back (at least 10-11 years ago) a bridge on the way to Sabari Mala had collapsed with the pilgrimage season was just starting. The Kerala PWD guess was extremely happy so that they can now float a tender, show their prowess in corruption and with the state government really in a tizzy as the pilgrimage would get affected. Madras Sappers were requested to build a small bridge so that the Ayyappas can proceed by foot. And a company of them arrived and built a bridge in 3-4 flat. Had met a Subedar who was personally involved in this task, when he had picked up his rank and was the Training Subedar Major at MEG, Bengaluru.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 28 Sep 2010 20:08

Manu and Lalmohan, The BBeb did dis-service in their need to look down on Indian and its acheivements. Yes there was corruption and lot of shoddy work and highlighting all this in a tabloid type format does nothing but p*ss on Indian pride and feelings of self worth. This promotes jihadi feeling sin TSP which is in doldrums and gives them hope..

X-post...

mayo wrote:Please shower a bit of your love here

http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... atic-path/

Paki uwacha

The pictures that have emerged from the Athletes Village at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi have conclusively rubbished the India shining myth. This would not come as a surprise to those Pakistanis who have visited India or have interacted with Indians visiting Pakistan. Most Indians visiting Pakistan comment on how much more developed Pakistan is, how clean Pakistan’s cities are, how much better Pakistani roads are than India’s and how they find fewer beggars on Pakistani roads than on Indian roads. It will, however, certainly shock those who have been brought to believe that India is the land of milk and honey.

The truth is that while India’s humiliation has cheered us up, that country is increasingly placed in an entirely different category and is generally seen as a success story. Pakistan is – despite what we might say or like to believe – seen as a basket case and a country that is likely to disintegrate. Most Pakistanis deep down also believe this and for very good reasons. Therefore, we must ask ourselves what it is that we are doing wrong and what India is doing right.

...

If the next terrorist attack happens during CWG, I blame the BEEB fro spurring the downand out jihadis to try one for the Queen.

hnair · Post by **hnair** » 28 Sep 2010 22:02

Manu-saar, you captured it well. Last minute delivery is what we specialize in. btw, I am rooting for Dilli Billis - better them than the Hamptons-Andover crowd I have seen in Khan land. We gently part them from their Gandhi-notes when they visit God's backyard. So we good.

And if any doods from the Holy Empire of the Khans, who do uber-stuff but still has repressed memories stemming out of "daddy issues", you are welcome!! We are still shameless and guilt-free about "gora inspired opinions"

chetak wrote:
You don't want to scare the shit out of these CWG athlete type guys.

You very well know that there is a heavy shortage of toilets.

Funny thing is that lots of homeless too have this opinion on shortage, particularly in downtown areas of Greater Cities.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 28 Sep 2010 23:55

Apropos the AR Rehman Rs 5 crore song

LINK

Lata Mangeshkar defends A R Rahman over CWG theme song
New Delhi, Sept 28 (PTI): Defending the music maestro A R Rahman over the Commonwealth Games theme song fiasco, melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has said that people should not expect every song of this genius composer to be a rocking hit.

"I have not heard the song. What I am hearing is continuous criticism, which I don't like at all. Rahman is an extremely dedicated composer and people are getting too harsh because of just one failure," Lata Mangeshkar told PTI .

"It's just like people should not expect century from Sachin (Tendulkar) in every match. It happens in music also. Even the veterans do mistakes sometimes. I cannot say that every song of mine is perfect. Many a times I am not satisfied with what I have sung," said the Bharat Ratna awardee....

Onlee thing Lata didi, Sachin can play in another test match. This one who knows will ever come back! And are you defending him or not?

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 29 Sep 2010 00:05

ramana wrote:Apropos the AR Rehman Rs 5 crore song

LINK

For 5 crores it had better be a hit.

The guy was paid to musically impress the world during the opening ceremony.

Not to intellectually debate some finer and arcane point of music composing.

Kanishka · Post by **Kanishka** » 29 Sep 2010 02:20

I am no fan of any of our politicians.
However, there is no doubt in my mind that Sky News (UK, Australia and NZ) has gone out of the way to humilate India over CWG.
The most painful part is that an Indian (?) reporter Ashish Joshi is leading this attack.
It is hard to believe that any Indian with any sense of dignity and love for his Motherland would
present India in such negative light in so many of his news reports.

I was shocked to hear Mani Shankar Iyer on Sky humilate India in the way he did.
He has no sense of belonging. What a bas** tard.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 29 Sep 2010 02:39

Kanishka its certainly a UK & minor CW thugs led campaign to malign India.
Not denying there are wrongs but its more than required. Smacks of Katherine Mayo's "Mother India" genre of reporting.

They will always find some local gungadins to carry the water.

James B · Post by **James B** » 29 Sep 2010 03:42

Dilbu wrote:As usual it is Army to the rescue. Hats off to Madras Sappers.
Army rebuilds fallen CWG bridge in four days

vina · Post by **vina** » 29 Sep 2010 05:59

Lalmohan wrote: the issue is, in other countries, people eat paisa but deliver, here paisa has been long hajam'ed but delivery has not taken place

Err. Not true. In nearly every other part of the country (Gujarat, Maharashtra, S. India except Kerala), if paisa is "swaha", then the delivery is usually very swift and good. This is a Indo Gangetic belt problem err. Did someone say BIMARU ?. It is actually BIMARU-D

!

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 29 Sep 2010 06:48

If some body or a group is planning to loot kalmadi & co, please include me. I would like to be a proud looter as well. This would be dream coming true opportunity to any one fantasizing to become a 21st century robin hood.

BTW, I do think we lack sophistication when it comes to handling firangs. We have to start treating them as equal not by differentiating, but considering equal on all fronts. By blood and science, we all are humans be it a desi common man or firangi visitor.

If the CWG Athletes must feel that those facilities that are for desi common man is a perfect fit for them is the day, I would cherish has right of equality achievement.

Jarita · Post by **Jarita** » 29 Sep 2010 07:31

^^ But Kalmadi is only Mr. 10 percent of 80%
Who is rest of 72%?

TonyMontana · Post by **TonyMontana** » 29 Sep 2010 08:50

Psy-op? Hope this is not a repost.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/commonweal ... elhi-games

Everyone is on tenterhooks, fearing that the 300 tonnes of explosives that went missing from a convoy of 61 trucks last month in India could be used to target the Games.

Yesterday, alleged leaked intelligence documents from New Delhi authorities surfaced, which reportedly claimed the feared Naxalite terrorist group, from east India, and a local Mars militant group had been heard in phone intercepts organising the supply of explosives to unleash at the Games.

Local police have not yet confirmed whether the documents, which surfaced on a Pakistani website, are genuine.

Raghavendra · Post by **Raghavendra** » 29 Sep 2010 09:17

Kanishka wrote:I am no fan of any of our politicians.
However, there is no doubt in my mind that Sky News (UK, Australia and NZ) has gone out of the way to humilate India over CWG.
The most painful part is that an Indian (?) reporter Ashish Joshi is leading this attack.
It is hard to believe that any Indian with any sense of dignity and love for his Motherland would
present India in such negative light in so many of his news reports.

I was shocked to hear Mani Shankar Iyer on Sky humilate India in the way he did.
He has no sense of belonging. What a bas** tard.

Money shankar aiyar collected money for the chinese invaders during the 1962 war while living in london. He is part of the group that actively tries to sabotage and attack india at every step, he also happened to be the sports minister before gill took over, see how he avoids taking blame to the mess he has created.

Raghavendra · Post by **Raghavendra** » 29 Sep 2010 09:19

TonyMontana wrote:Psy-op? Hope this is not a repost.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/commonweal ... elhi-games

Everyone is on tenterhooks, fearing that the 300 tonnes of explosives that went missing from a convoy of 61 trucks last month in India could be used to target the Games.

Yesterday, alleged leaked intelligence documents from New Delhi authorities surfaced, which reportedly claimed the feared Naxalite terrorist group, from east India, and a local Mars militant group had been heard in phone intercepts organising the supply of explosives to unleash at the Games.

Local police have not yet confirmed whether the documents, which surfaced on a Pakistani website, are genuine.

what!!! no venus group?

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 29 Sep 2010 09:26

Local police have not yet confirmed whether the documents, which surfaced on a Pakistani website, are genuine.

A lot of stuff keeps surfacing on paqui websites. You will need Peechaddi in Djinn technology to confirm or deny those.

munna · Post by **munna** » 29 Sep 2010 09:50

Raghavendra wrote:Money shankar aiyar collected money for the chinese invaders during the 1962 war while living in london

Cambridge to be precise and more than money he delivered a speech in favor of Jai Hu land!

Dilbu wrote:You will need Peechaddi in Djinn technology to confirm or deny those

Not to forget with upper hand.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 29 Sep 2010 09:54

James B wrote:
Dilbu wrote:As usual it is Army to the rescue. Hats off to Madras Sappers.
Army rebuilds fallen CWG bridge in four days

It would give WW-II feel to many CW Nations.

Madras Sappers and Miners or MEG HQed at Bangalore is credited with invention of M1A1 also known as Bangalores or Bangalore Torpedo in 1912, a successful mines/barricades buster....

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 29 Sep 2010 11:32

here are some benefits of being in the commonwealth - not so well known...but ofcourse I doubt stuff like going to UK embassy in niger or chad after being robbed by shifta bandits would help!

http://www.slate.com/id/2268989/

Well, membership has its privileges. For starters, hosting the games is a bit like hosting the Olympics. The country in question spends a lot on infrastructure in the hopes of bringing in tourist dollars. More generally, Commonwealth citizens have special rights when living in the United Kingdom—more than what any old immigrant would get. An Indian citizen who resides anywhere in the United Kingdom—that's England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales—has the right to vote in local elections and can also help select members of the European Parliament. (Several Caribbean members also grant residents from Commonwealth countries voting rights.) And if an Indian citizen were traveling somewhere without an Indian Embassy, he or she could get assistance at the U.K. one instead.

The Commonwealth gives "technical assistance" in support of economic growth. Drawing from the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (which amounts to about 29 million pounds per year), the Commonwealth provides its needier member states with advisers on trade and land-use strategies, or consultants to help restructure public services, for example.

Kanishka · Post by **Kanishka** » 29 Sep 2010 11:33

Raghavendra wrote:
Kanishka wrote:I am no fan of any of our politicians.
However, there is no doubt in my mind that Sky News (UK, Australia and NZ) has gone out of the way to humilate India over CWG.
The most painful part is that an Indian (?) reporter Ashish Joshi is leading this attack.
It is hard to believe that any Indian with any sense of dignity and love for his Motherland would
present India in such negative light in so many of his news reports.

I was shocked to hear Mani Shankar Iyer on Sky humilate India in the way he did.
He has no sense of belonging. What a bas** tard.
Money shankar aiyar collected money for the chinese invaders during the 1962 war while living in london. He is part of the group that actively tries to sabotage and attack india at every step, he also happened to be the sports minister before gill took over, see how he avoids taking blame to the mess he has created.

That explains his outburst against India.
Perhaps BRF should have a "name and shame" thread for such traitors.

Abhijeet · Post by **Abhijeet** » 29 Sep 2010 12:40

Wow. Is this really true? I have never heard of this before.

An Indian citizen who resides anywhere in the United Kingdom—that's England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales—has the right to vote in local elections and can also help select members of the European Parliament.

Can members in the UK confirm if this is true on the ground?

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 29 Sep 2010 12:43

yes its true, including general elections

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 29 Sep 2010 15:26

Lalmohan wrote:yes its true, including general elections

Provided you are on the electrol register.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 29 Sep 2010 16:19

I have oiften weighed the pros and cons of remaining in the CW,What good does it serve India? Colonial "treatment" we must admit is a thing of the past.The CW has become the equivalent of a convivial "old boys club" or association.Now one important point is that it brings together dozens of nations which were former part of the British Empire and who share many common institutions set up by the British administrators.This makes it easy for these ntions to interact with each other and do business.This is the 21st century's great activity,as the world has becoem an even smaller "global village" thanks to dramatic leaps in communications and travel tech.Thatw e can all speak to each oither in English and offer each member certain special priviliges, adds to the attractiveness of the institution.HM the Queen presides over it all more like a club president,rather than an imperious monarch.

If you want to see another example,look at the Francophone nations who share a similar colonial experience but do not have the clout of the CW.The French desperately try and preserve their French connections worldwide,but lose out to the CW in prestige.India now a nation on the move which is begninning to flex its muscles-look at how Pres.Pratibha is now going to open the games,after diplomatic parleying,has a great guiding role to play with the CW nations,notwithstanding our even greater role as a founder and leader of the NAM nations.We have huge diplomatic advantages if only our myopic MEA can see beyond its nose.past time for servile pre-independence babus to be pensioned off including our dear Dr.Mis-sing.
despite Kalmadi and co. doing their best to ruin India's image, it will not last forever,despite the caving in of Delhi's roads thanks to "her majesty",CM Sheila Dixit and her great overseeing of the capital's infrastructure! Perhaps she can try and claim that these craters were the result of Paki terror acts!

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 29 Sep 2010 16:45

Criticism of Phillips Idowu in UK paper

quite a good article, and reaching out to mango brits instead of intelligentia - gist of the story is "outsiders should stop fussing and get on with the games"

Abhijeet · Post by **Abhijeet** » 29 Sep 2010 17:26

As fellow members of the jolly old Commonwealth, shouldn't Indians at least not need a transit visa to pass through Heathrow? The last time I checked, India was on that special list. Really not cricket, wot wot?

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 29 Sep 2010 17:33

the visa issue is complicated by the large number of people who abuse visa priviledges both from India to the UK and from the UK to India. most other commonwealth countries have imposed stringent visa controls on Indians as retalliation against Indian visa restrictions following all the various phoren passport holding Indian origin terrorists sneaking into India. Conversely, sad to say, quite a few Indians overstay or go missing whilst 'visiting' the UK in order to enter the black economy - though this has been reducing of late

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 29 Sep 2010 17:39

...look at how Pres.Pratibha is now going to open the games,after diplomatic parleying,has a great guiding role to play with the CW nations...

Really? Media reports say the charles dude will do the opening and all.

Fidel Guevara · Post by **Fidel Guevara** » 29 Sep 2010 18:39

Kanishka wrote:I am no fan of any of our politicians.
However, there is no doubt in my mind that Sky News (UK, Australia and NZ) has gone out of the way to humilate India over CWG.

Living in Canada, I am glad that the Canadian press is not trying to humiliate India. A few negative articles recycled from the UK/Oz/NZ press, but no Canadian reporter has gone out of their way to get an "exclusive scoop" photo.

However, the comments of the average joe on the street is totally negative.

Similar to the response to the Pak floods - the official govt position and media editorials are asking for one thing, but the public sentiment is totally opposite.

James B · Post by **James B** » 29 Sep 2010 18:44

Some eye candy and other pics from CWG

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 29 Sep 2010 19:08

also, lets remember that fennell and hooper deliberately escalated to the media in order to force some action from OC - this has upset folks

James B · Post by **James B** » 29 Sep 2010 20:00

54 Pakis are going to infest CW games

thayilv · Post by **thayilv** » 29 Sep 2010 20:45

I hope they keep a close eye on them. Some of them might attempt to disappear during the games.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 29 Sep 2010 20:46

paquis might stage a mass defecation, er... defection