All Talk and No Action

This is my most emotionally challenging post. Ever.

The amount of time I have wasted in debating with myself and others over CWG is monumental.

Seriously, any more concentration on the subject, and I would not be Mukta but Matilda and the CWG would be... well...

I had decided to leave the CWG alone. Reasons were plenty - all unimportant and not worthy of your time.

Like most sensible, hardworking, genuine, patriotic Indians, I wanted, prayed and hoped for the spectacular success of CWG. I discussed/debated/fought with people over why CWG must succeed.

Kalmadi and group weren't important. They could be dealt with, after the success of the Games. Complaining and being a spoilsport would be a dampener for all the non-corrupt people who had worked on the ground to present a favourable image of India to the international community.

Yes, we had overshot the original budget by a few thousands of crores - but that wasn't important. National pride and honour were at stake. The world was watching and we better make a good impression.

All of this and a few hundred more arguments, till, one night it all became clear to me -

The video has good histrionics. For now, jump to the scene from 06:30.

Believe me you, this is what rang into my ears.

"...Taaki hamari izzat par dhabba na lage, hamari jhoothi izzat par dhabba na lage..."

All this while, I was acting under the illusion of being a patriot and harping about national pride. I couldn't understand the motivation of people who spoke against the CWG. Weren't they attacking India? Who in her right mind would wish ill for the country?

But it came slowly : India is her people. It is not a mass of land and water.

What is this national pride we are so keen to protect? What international impression do we seek to create?

Make no mistakes - we are still a poor, third world country. A nation who ranks high on corruption and abysmally low on Human Development Index. It is these, which should wound your pride.

Corruption of such order, when millions of Indians die due to malnutrition, millions remain below the poverty line and many more millions remain uneducated, is appalling.

Even if we left these people out of the conversation, millions of hard working Indians pay their taxes for a better tomorrow, not for Fuckers like Kalmadi & company to suck their life blood.

The most classic argument that I ever made and now I get to hear is : Whatever has happened is wrong. But, now that we are into the mess, let's see through it.

It doesn't work that way. If we decide to stand by and allow such activities under the guise of national pride, we are an equal party to the crime.

Another very serious argument is : It's a blot on the face of every Indian. This is our century, our one chance to increase tourism, invite investment and improve our GDP. March ahead young India!

I say - Bull.

All my life, I have lived with being called a poor country, a nation of filth. I don't mind that tag for a few more years. I don't care what the international community will think about the lack of our project management skills. They made their stance known when the World Bank denied us funds to build infrastructure. Nothing new there, sweetheart.

All I know is that we are a young nation and too huge a market to ignore. Our IT, Real Estate, Financial services will continue to boom. Tourism will still clock decent growth. And, if you are so worried about your personal ego and pride - well, then do something about the caste divide, poverty, illiteracy and filth.

Hoping for any reprieve after the games get over, is childish. There will be no trial. There will be no justice.

What disturbed me through various chats with friends, colleagues and other bloggers - most don't bother about Kalmadi, and find absolutely no wrong with the corruption. Corruption is ubiquitous and a part of our DNA now.

I don't know what you took away from the Mahabharata - I definitely learnt that suffering and being complicit about a crime is worse than committing the crime.

It is with the intent to attack corruption and all vile people in power that I truly, deeply, madly hope that CWG fail colossally.

Let there be international coverage on how we failed, our stadiums leaked, the overhead bridges fell, the washrooms stank, the toilet paper disappeared.

This is my prayer for India.

**********

I am surprised at how far I have come.

I am glad I am stupid no more.

**********

Today is my personal CWG day. Endless discussions at work and with friends throughout the day. Ideally, this post should have taken 30-45 minutes. It has ended up taking 3 hours - all thanks to five different chat windows - all raging with the CWG debate.

**********

One of my very good friends is working with the CWG Organising Committee. The entire batch of people I have come to know through him is sincere and hard working. These are the people you will never hear about - people who toil away when stadiums leak, people who work on the ground to make this dream come true.

I wish them well - the next time around.

**********

Here are a few idealistic collegians, one of whom I helped to connect with my CWG friend. They have grand plans to support CWG and take the initiative to major colleges in Mumbai.

Their activism is heart breaking - reminds me of my college days - such stupid innocence.