Reflections on Delhi's Commonwealth Games

Regular Rogue Diplomat writer and Dehli-resident Vineet Thakur tackles the international reaction to the current Commonwealth Games. Vineet is enrolled on the PhD (International Relations) program at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Reflections on Delhi’s CWG

What ‘Common’, whose ‘Wealth’, and who cares about ‘Games’ anyway? Reflecting on the ongoing Commonwealth Games in New Delhi these question jostle up in my mind immediately. Seventy one countries – not technically so considering Wales, Scotland and England participate separately [that’s another story entirely… Ed] – all brought together by the unchained melody of British colonialism. It still baffles many, why the Commonwealth stands as an ode to Colonialism exemplified in the Queen’s prerogative as the head of the organization. Why can it not be a celebration of the indigenous struggles for their own sovereignty in these various countries? Anyway, back to the Games.

To say that the opening ceremony of the games was a success would be to hide the point. It was a success when everyone was waiting for it to fail. The knives, in the international (or should I say Western, and I go by my mental ‘colonized’ maps rather than cartographic specifications by including Australia and New Zealand) media were already out. And when they did not find enough flesh to dig them in, they still made their point. In a more considerate article, Guardian reported: “After all the shameful tales of dengue fever and squalid bedrooms, Delhi finally got its chance on Sunday to show the world (or at least the Commonwealth) that India can organize things properly. And it did not disappoint.”

Indians are livid for obvious reasons. “Did not disappoint” is all you get after a 700 million rupees extravaganza that knitted together their country’s cultural diversity and displayed a blend of both India’s long history of civilization and modern reformation! And guys, we had ‘yoga’ in there too; precisely what you have always loved about India.

Or they ask – ‘Did not disappoint’, oh - what did you expect? Did you think we would have ‘Mogli’ shooting out of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’ especially after threats of dengue? Did you expect a country of ‘snakes and charmers’ on display? We did that as well - snake-charmers were there right in the beginning if you noticed. Frankly (wink!!), even we are surprised at our ability to ‘organize things properly’, we pulled it off (hurray!!)

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Bringing Nehru Back In - Examining India's Foreign Policy

On the first day of the Commonwealth games in Delhi, regular Rogue Diplomat contributor Vineet Thakur reflects on modern India’s foreign policy. Vineet is enrolled on the PhD (International Relations) program at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

More than half a century ago, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, when asked about India’s role in the international sphere, stated that considering India’s civilizational heritage it can either be a major player or perish. He was confident that between these two extremes; there was no fringe role for India. Aware of India’s lack of material capabilities, he had put almost all his fruits in one basket – Non-alignment. Non-alignment, often misunderstood, was a new approach to world politics and one that sought to re-balance the world, not based on claims to power but instead on the basis of claims to empowerment of the erstwhile emaciated colonized nations. This however is a topic to be discussed elsewhere, and for now the focus ought to go back to Nehru’s assertion about India’s role in world politics.

Post-Nehru, as Western prophecies about end of India gained ground, the focus definitely shifted from salvaging the country itself rather than salvaging its pride outside. With Nehru’s death, India also lost its only world statesman and thus the focus shifted inward. Surprisingly, the Indian juggernaut kept rolling with occasional hiccups. In between, India kept the world aware of itself with events like 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan and 1974 Pokhran test, when it conducted its first underground nuclear weapons test.

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2010 Commonwealth Games stumble at the first hurdle

The 19th Commonwealth Games have hit a number of problems with some 11 days left before their official start in Delhi, India. The international sporting event has drawn some criticism for the hygiene of the athletes' village and for further construction and security fears.

The Commonwealth Games are competed by 54 nations who are part of the Commonwealth of Nations, the successor of the old British Empire, and consist of 71 athletic teams (with the United Kingdom sending 4 home teams). A number of athletes and athletic teams have given the Delhi game organisers notice that if the games are not improved then they will withdraw.

Common initial concerns have included the sanitation in the athletic village, where the competitors would be housed and trained over the competition. Further concerns were added when a bridge collapsed that had connected a stadium to a nearby carpark and injured a number of bystanders.

A number of top athletes have decided against competing in the Delhi games, including the three-time Olympic Gold winner Usain Bolt of Jamaica. The English, Scottish and New Zealand teams have also stated that they would either withdraw or insist that the games do not proceed if their concerns are not resolved.

Speaking to address concerns over the athletes' accomodation, Organising Committee Secretary-General Dr. Lalit K Bhanot said “The situation is under control and we are confident that when the teams arrive on the evening of September 23, the residential wing will be clean.”

Further from BBC News: