COMMONWEALTH GAMES After Olympics, Commonwealth Games is the second largest sports festival in the world. The Games are held once in four years but only in between the Olympic years. The Games were originally known as the British Empire Games. The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 at Hamilton, Canada.
The 10th Commonwealth Games were held at Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974, the 11th in Edmonton (Canada) in 1978, the 12th in Brisbane (Australia) in 1982, the 13th in Edinburgh (Scotland) in 1986, the 14th in Auckland (New Zealand) in 1990 and the 15th in Victoria (Canada) in 1994, where about 3,350 athletes from a record 64 nations (including South Africa, which joined the family of Commonwealth athletes after 36 years) participated. Namibia also, which gained its independence in 1990, made its debut while Hong Kong made its final appearance in the Games before being ceded to China in 1997.
ASIAN GAMES India played a leading role to organise sports festival for Asian countries on Olympic lines. ‘Ever Onward’ is the motto of the Asian Games and ‘a bright full rising sun with interlocking rings’ is its emblem. The first Asian Games were held at New Delhi in 1951 followed by Manila, Philippines (1954); Tokyo, Japan (1958); Jakarta, Indonesia (1962); Bangkok, Thailand (1966, 1970, 1978 & 1998); Teheran, Iran (1974); New Delhi, India (1982); Seoul, South Korea (1986); Beijing, China (1990); Hiroshima, Japan (1994); Bangkok, Thailand (1998); Busan, South Korea (2002); Doha, Qatar (2006).
The next editions of the Games is scheduled to be held in and Guangzhou, China (2010). SAP GAMES The South Asian Federation Games (SAP Games) is a sport festival of South Asian countries. The South Asian Sports Federation comprising India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives was formed in New Delhi in November, 1982. The first SAP Games were held in Kathmandu in 1984 followed by Dhaka (1985), Kolkata (1987), Islamabad (1989), Colombo (1991), Dhaka (1993) and Chennai (1995).
The Eighth SAF Games (September 25-Octobcr 4, 1999) were held in Kathmandu. Three new events—badminton, rowing and karate were introduced for the first time in the 9th SAP Games. New Name For SAF Games: The SAP Games have been rechristencd as South Asian Games, according to a decision taken by the South Asian Sports Federation at its 32nd meeting held in Islamabad (Pakistan) on April 2, 2004. The concept The concept of a united Commonwealth sporting event had been talked about amongst Commonwealth nations since the rebirth of the Olympic Games.
A sporting competition bringing together the members of the British Empire was first proposed by Reverend Astley Cooper in 1891, when he wrote an article in The Times newspaper suggesting a “Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival every four years as a means of increasing the goodwill and good understanding of the British Empire”. The Precurser In 1911, the ‘Festival of Empire’ was held in London to celebrate the coronation of King George V.
As part of the festival, an Inter-Empire Championships was held in which teams from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom competed in events such as boxing, wrestling, swimming and athletics. A trophy in the form of a silver cup, 2ft 6in high and weighing 340oz, the gift of Lord Lonsdale, was presented to the winning country, which was Canada. The first Games No further development took place until 1928, when the Olympic Games were in progress in Amsterdam. The splendid feelings of friendliness between the Empire athletes at that Olympiad re-vitalised the idea for the revival of Empire meetings.
The first Commonwealth Games, known as the British Empire Games at the time, were held in Canada in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario. ‘Bobby’ Robinson, who was a major player within athletics in Canada at the time, was the driving force behind the event. The first Games included 400 athletes from 11 countries. To help cover the traveling costs for the visiting nations, the City of Hamilton provided $30,000. Support for the concept was forthcoming from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with the result that strong teams were sent to Canada.
Teams also came from Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, British Guiana, Newfoundland and South Africa. The events at this meeting comprised track and field athletics, swimming, rowing, boxing and wrestling, and lawn bowls. While no points were allotted, it was fitting that Great Britain filled the premier position. Ongoing Games The success of the first Games at Hamilton in 1930 provided enough incentive to make them regular. Since 1930, they have taken place every four years except for 1942 and 1946, when they were disrupted due to World War II.
The Melbourne Games are the 16th to be held. From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, then the name was changed to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1962. From 1966 to 1974 they had the title of British Commonwealth Games and from 1978 onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth Games (see name changes). The Friendly Games While other Games around the globe have been founded on geographic or climatic factors such as the Asian, Pan Am, African Games and Winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games has been founded on history.
A unique characteristic of the Commonwealth Games is being the only Games which share a common language. All athletes and officials can converse with each other in English, creating an atmosphere that has led to the Commonwealth Games being long known as the “Friendly Games”. An intergovernmental organisation of fifty four members, Commonwealth of Nations works for promotion of common values such as democracy, human rights, free trade, individual liberty and world peace. These very values of the organisation laid the foundation for Commonwealth Games in the year 1930 when it was first organized in Hamiton, Ontario in Canada.
The history of Commonwealth Games has it that the games have been an initiative to bring together the member nations of Commonwealth and to increase goodwill and fellowship amongst them. The games first played in 1930 were the final outcome of the long discussions that were held between Nations of Commonwealth for over 30 years. Commonwealth Games history has names of 11 countries that participated with a total of 400 athletes in the games. The first Commonwealth Games witnessed teams coming from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, British Guiana, Newfoundland and South Africa.
The events held during the first ever sporting event of Commonwealth included Track and field athletics, rowing, wrestling, swimming and lawn bowls the games popular in the member countries. Held in 1930 for the first time Commonwealth Games continues to spread the accordance till now. The games were held once in every four years except for the years 1942 and 1946 due to World War II. The Commonwealth Games history uncovers the reason for it being called “Friendly Games” for long.
The games round the world are named on their geographic or climatic factors such as Australian open, African Games and so on whereas Commonwealth Games are founded to spread bonhomie and thus are named after the organisation that works in the same direction. At the event the athletes share a common language and compete with the sole aim of enjoying the sport they love. With the success of this event worldwide, many amendments were made in the list of sports included however, one of the most vibrant changes was the one that happened in the 1998 games.
In 1998 games held in Kuala Lumpur the Commonwealth Games Federation allowed team sports for the first time and thus opened up gates to a wide range of sports and athletes around the world. The next Commonwealth Games in New Delhi 2010 is around the corner and the world is waiting eagerly for the spectacular display of sporting abilities. The Commonwealth Games member countries are geared up to inspire millions to strive for excellence and to spread brotherhood amidst their clan. | Commonwealth Games Federation The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation responsible for direction and control of Commonwealth Games.
Commonwealth Games Federation is the supreme authority in all matters related to Commonwealth Games. CGF “owns” the Commonwealth Games like International Olympic Committee “owns” the Olympic Games. Vision of Commonwealth Games Federation is to promote a unique, friendly, world class Commonwealth games and also to develop sport for benefit of people. In January 2005, Commonwealth Games Federation vice-president Raja Randhir Singh showed a concern that Delhi was behind schedule in forming an organising committee.
However, on 18th January 2008, Commonwealth Games Federation approved DelhiIn Sept 2009, Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Mike Fennell reported that the games were at the risk of falling behind schedule and it was “logical to conclude that current situation poses a serious risk to Commonwealth Games in 2010. Commonwealth Youth Games In the year 2000 CGF took on the added responsibility of Commonwealth Youth Games, open to athletes 18 years of age. Commonwealth Youth Games provide an excellent opportunity for aspiring young athletes from the Commonwealth with touch of what Commonwealth Games has in store for them in near future. The inaugural Games were held in Edinburgh with the last edition hosted in 2004 in Bendigo, Australia. In such a short span of time Commonwealth Youth Games has grown in size and this is evident by award of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games to the Isle of Man. City of Pune, India hosted 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games between October 12 and 18, 2008. Commonwealth Games History Commonwealth Games history goes back to year 1930.
First Commonwealth Games, known as British Empire Games at that time, were conducted in Canada in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario. These Games included 400 athletes from 11 countries. In order to cover the travelling costs for visiting nations, the City of Hamilton gave $30,000. Support for the concept was forthcoming from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with the result that strong teams were sent to Canada. Teams also came from Australia, Bermuda, British Guiana, New Zealand, Newfoundland and South Africa. While no points were allotted, it was fitting that Great Britain filled the premier position.
Commonwealth Games history is 79 years old now. It is the first time in Commonwealth Games history that this event would be held in India, New Delhi. In Commonwealth Games history only India will be the third developing country to host this event after Jamaica in 1966 and Malaysia in 1998. Its the second time the event would be held in Asia. Commonwealth Games Medals Winning Commonwealth games medals are the dream of every nation participating in the event. Commonwealth games medals to be won by these nations would of three types – Gold, Silver and Bronze.
The 2002 Games in Manchester also saw for the first time, a limited number of full medal events for best athletes with a disability in a fully inclusive sports programme. * Commonwealth games medals count in Commonwealth Games tend to be heavily slanted towards the largest, industrialized nations such as England, Canada and Australia making the games somewhat one-sided. * Out of the previous 17 Games, Commonwealth games medals won by Australia has the count of 10 times, with England 6 times and Canada 1 time. Since 1930 Australia has won 1,894 Commonwealth games medals, the maximum of any nation participating. Content * Top Level Primary Navigation * Level Two Sub Page Navigation * Top Level Secondary Navigation * Footer Links * rss feed * email link * print this page * bookmark this page * members * FAQs * contacts Text size: * smaller * larger * reset Commonwealth Games FederationMon 30 Aug 2010 | 10:04:30 GMT+06:18 * The CGF * Commonwealth Games * Countries * Sports * Results * Athletes * Youth Games * Queen’s Baton Relay * Media Library * The Role of The CGF * The CGF Constitution * Our People * The Brand * Contact Information * Jobs * Delhi 2010 * Glasgow 2014 * Past Games * Story ; Growth Of The Games * 2018 Bid Process * Records * View by Games * View by Country * View by Sport * Athletes Search * Inspiring Athletes * Oath ; Award * Level Playing Field The Story of the Commonwealth Games * Story of the Games * Growth of the Games * Heads of the CGF Story of the gamesThe first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada where 11 countries sent 400 athletes to take part in 6 sports and 59 events.
Bobby Robinson, a major influence within athletics in Canada at the time, finally implemented the event that had been talked about amongst Commonwealth nations for over thirty years with the City of Hamilton providing $30,000 to help cover travelling costs of the participating nations. Since then, the Games have been conducted every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) and the event has seen many changes, not least in its name. From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, from 1954 until 1966 the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and from 1970 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games.
It was the 1978 Games in Edmonton that saw this unique, world class, multi-sports event change its name to the Commonwealth Games. Often referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’ only single competition sports had been on the programme from 1930 up to and including the 1994 Games in Victoria. The 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur saw the introduction of team sports with nations taking part in cricket (50 over game), hockey (men and women), netball (women) and rugby 7’s (men). In Manchester in 2002 hockey, netball and rugby 7’s graced the programme again and at the 2006 Games in Melbourne basketball accompanied hockey, netball and rugby 7’s on the programme.
In Delhi in 2010 hockey, netball and rugby 7’s will again feature. The 2002 Games in Manchester also saw for the first time, indeed at any multi-sport event in the world, a limited number of full medal events for elite athletes with a disability (EAD) in a fully inclusive sports programme. This continued in Melbourne where EAD athletes took part in athletics, swimming, table tennis and powerlifting. In the year 2000 the CGF took on the added responsibility of the Commonwealth Youth Games, open to athletes 18 years of age and under the Youth Games provide an excellent opportunity for aspiring young athletes from the Commonwealth with a taste of what the Commonwealth Games has in store for them in the future.
The inaugural Games were in Edinburgh with the last edition being hosted in 2004 in Bendigo, Australia with Pune in India in 2008 hosting the 3rd edition. In such a short space of time the Youth Games has grown in stature and this is evidenced by award of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games to the Isle of Man. The story of the Games evolved yet again on the 9th November 2007 when Glasgow (Scotland) was awarded the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. www. thecgf. comX:AOLBloglinesGoogle ReaderMy MSNNetvibesNewsisfreePageflakesYahooNo matching services.. netShoutout100zakladok2 Tag2linkme7Live7. comA1WebmarksAdd. ioAdifniAeroAll My FavesAmazonAmen Me! AOL MailArtoAviary CaptureBaangBaiduBeboBentioBiggerPocketsBit. lyBizSugarBleetboxBlinklistBlipBloggerBloggyBlogmarksBlogtro trBlurpaliciousBoardliteBobrdobrBonzoBoxBookmarkedBookmarki ngNetBookmarky. czBookmerkenBordomBox. netBrainifyBryderi. seBuddyMarksBuzzzyCamyooCare2ChiqCiripCiteULikeClassicalPlac eClickazooCndigColivia. deConnoteaCOSMiQDeliciousDesignBumpDesignmooDiggDiggitaDiglo gDigoDiigoDipdiveDoMelhorDoowerDostiDotNetKicksDoubanDrimioD ropjackDwelliciousDzoneEdelighteKudoselefanta. plEmailEmbarkonseuCliqueiEvernoteextraplayEzySpotFabulously4 0FacebookFarkFarkindaFAVableFavesfavlogFavoritesFavoritusFla kerFloss. proFnewsFolkdFollowTagsforceindyaFresquiFriendFeedFriendster funPfwispGabbrGacetillaGamekickerGiveALinkGlobalGrindGmailGo ogleGoogle BuzzGoogle ReaderGraveeGreaterDebaterGrono. netGrumperHaber. gen. rHacker NewsHadash HotHatenaHazarkorHealthimizeHedgehogsHelloTxtHipstrHitmarksH ot BookmarkHotklixHotmailHTML ValidatorHyvesideaREF! Identi. caihavegotInformazioneInstapaperInvestorLinksiSocietyiWiWJam espotJiskoJumptagsKaboodleKaevurKipupKiRTSYKledyKommentingko ornkLaaikitLadenzeileLibrerioLifestreamLink NinjaLink-a-GogoLinkedInLinkSharesLinkuj. czLivefavorisLiveJournalLockerBloggerLynkiMashbordMawindoMec chomeinVZMekusharimMemori. ruMeneameMessengerMindbodygreenMister WongMixxMoemesto. rumototagzMultiplymyAOLMylinkvaultMySpaceN4GNetLogNetvibesNe tvouzNewsTrustNewsvineNujijOKNOtizieOneviewOrkutOsmosusOyyla PDF OnlinePDFmyURLPhoneFavsPimpThisBlogPing. fmPlanypusPlaxoPlurkPopEditionPosteezyPosterousPrati. aPrintPrintFriendlyPropellerPushaQuantcastQzoneRead It Laterreceeve. itRedditRediff MyPageRedKumScoop. atSegnaloSekomanShavehShe Told MeSimpySlashdotSMISodaHeadSonicoSpeedtileSphinnSpoken To YousportpostspringpadSpruzerSquidooStartaidStartlapStoryFoll owerStrandsstudiVZStuffpitStumbleUponStumpediaStylehiveSurfp eopleSvejoSymbalooTagMarks. deTagvnTagzaTechnoratiTellMyPoliticianThe Web BlendThinkfinityThisNextTip’dTransferrTranslateTulinqTumblrTusulTweetMemeTwit terTwitThis TypepadViadeoVirbVisitezMonSiteVKontakteVyoomWebnewsWhois LookupWindy CitizenWireFanWordPressWorioWykopXangaY! BookmarksY! BuzzY! MailYammerYardbarkerYazzemYiggYoolinkYorumcuyumYoubookmarksY ouMobZakladok. etZanaticZooLooDoneMessage sent! Share again. Sending message… AddThis for Internet ExplorerMake sharing easier with 255 character limitBottom of FormMore:Get the AddThis ToolbarPrivacy| Growth of the gamesTable showing the growth of the Commonwealth Games from 1930 to 2010| Year| Host City / Country| Participating Countries| Sports| Events Contested| Athletes| 1930 | Hamilton, Canada | 11 | 6 | 59 | 400 | 1934 | London, England | 16 | 6 | 68 | 500 | 1938 | Sydney, Australia | 15 | 7 | 71 | 464 | 1950 | Auckland, New Zealand | 12 | 9 | 88 | 590 | 1954 | Vancouver, Canada | 24 | 9 | 91 | 662 | 1958 | Cardiff, Wales | 35 | 9 | 94 | 1122 | 962 | Perth, Australia | 35 | 9 | 104 | 863 | 1966 | Kingston, Jamaica | 34 | 9 | 110 | 1050 | 1970 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 42 | 9 | 121 | 1383 | 1974 | Christchurch, New Zealand | 38 | 9 | 121 | 1276 | 1978 | Edmonton, Canada | 46 | 10 | 128 | 1474 | 1982 | Brisbane, Australia | 46 | 10 | 142 | 1583 | 1986 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 26 | 10 | 163 | 1662 | 1990 | Auckland, New Zealand | 55 | 10 | 204 | 2073 | 1994 | Victoria, Canada | 63 | 10 | 217 | 2557 | 1998 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 70 | 15 | 213 | 3633 | 2002 | Manchester, England | 72 | 17 | 281 | 3679 | 2006 | Melbourne, Australia | 71 | 16 | 245 | 4049 | 2010 | Delhi, India | 71 | 17 | | | HEADS OF THE CGF
The President of the Commonwealth Games Federation is elected by members of the General Assembly (Commonwealth Games Associations) at their meeting in the year following the Commonwealth Games. The current President, Hon. Michael Fennell OJ, CD has overseen preparations to host the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur 1998, Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006 and now Delhi 2010. The President is responsible for chairing Executive Board meetings and the General Assembly and has the honour of inviting the Head of the Commonwealth to declare the Commonwealth Games open and closed during increasingly spectacular ceremonies that are an integral part of the whole event.
Prior to the Games in Kuala Lumpur, the elected Head of the Commonwealth Games Federation was the Chairman and the President held a ceremonial position akin to that now referred to as the Vice Patron, currently HRH The Earl of Wessex, CVO. Further details about the role and process of electing the CGF President are contained in the Constitution. Table showing the past Chairman / Presidents of the CGF at each Commonwealth Games. | Games| Presidents| 1930 Hamilton, Canada| Chairman: Sir James Leigh-Wood K. B. E. , C. B. , C. M. G| 1934 London, England| Chairman: Sir James Leigh-Wood K. B. E. , C. B. , C. M. G| 1938 Sydney, Australia| Chairman: Sir James Leigh-Wood K. B. E. , C. B. , C. M. G | 1950 Auckland, New Zealand| Chairman: Sir Arthur Porritt, Bt. , G. C. M. G. , K. C. V. O. , C. B. E. , F. C. S. 1954 Vancouver, Canada| Chairman: Sir Arthur Porritt, Bt. , G. C. M. G. , K. C. V. O. , C. B. E. , F. C. S. | 1958 Cardiff, Wales| Chairman: Sir Arthur Porritt, Bt. , G. C. M. G. , K. C. V. O. , C. B. E. , F. C. S. | 1962 Perth, Australia| Chairman: Sir Arthur Porritt, Bt. , G. C. M. G. , K. C. V. O. , C. B. E. , F. C. S. | 1966 Kingston, Jamaica| Chairman: Sir Arthur Porritt, Bt. , G. C. M. G. , K. C. V. O. , C. B. E. , F. C. S. | 1970 Edinburgh, Scotland| Chairman: Sir Alexander Ross| 1974 Christchurch, New Zealand| Chairman: Sir Alexander Ross| 1978 Edmonton, Canada| Chairman: Sir Alexander Ross| 1982 Brisbane, Australia| Chairman: Sir Alexander Ross| 986 Edinburgh, Scotland| Chairman: Sir Peter Heatly, CBE. , DL| 1990 Auckland, New Zealand| Chairman: Sir Peter Heatly, CBE. , DL| 1994 Victoria, Canada| Chairman: A. de O Sales, CBE| 1998 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia| President: Hon. Michael Fennell OJ. , CD| 2002 Manchester, England| President: Hon. Michael Fennell OJ. , CD| 2006 Melbourne, Australia| President: Hon. Michael Fennell OJ. , CD| Media Representations of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Media Representations of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Harcup and O’Neill assert that news is not a universal truth, that it is constructed by journalists who work within broader frameworks.
This understanding is inherent in every step of news production, from the selection of events that are newsworthy to the representation of the events through specific language choices. The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games attracted substantive amounts of media attention and was therefore represented by the media in various ways. A discourse analysis of six texts produced by the print media to summarise and evaluate the Commonwealth Games reveals that news values and the defining features of a media event do not just effect decisions about what events are newsworthy. These aspects also influence the way that the event is represented in the media. In many of the texts the media portrays the Sydney Olympics overshadowing the Commonwealth Games.
This demonstrates how the news value of negativity influences the ways the media represents an event. The texts also adhere to Dayan and Katz’s understanding of the celebration of human achievement as a conquest. In this way descriptions of sports, particularly the marathon, adopt language that connotes battle and heroism. The texts also demonstrate how journalists and participants take on the language of primary definers, such as the organisers of the Commonwealth Games. The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games attracted much media attention. Over 3000 registered members of the media attended the Commonwealth Games (Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation).
Galtung and Ruge’s landmark study into news values and news selection reveals how events such as the Commonwealth Games become news (Harcup and O’Neill). Galtung and Ruge assert that events that comply with news factors are more likely to be newsworthy. These factors include: frequency, threshold, unambiguity, meaningfulness, consonance, unexpectedness, continuity,… Commonwealth Games Competitive Environment The Commonwealth Games 2002 was a major hallmark event, held in Manchester over the period of ten days. Hiller,(2002 p 449)describes a major hallmark event as “short-term high-profile events like Olympics and World Fairs that always have a significant urban impact.
They re-prioritize urban agendas, create post-event usage debates, often stimulate urban redevelopment, and are instruments of boosterist ideologies promoting economic growth” Colin Hall states that “Hallmark events are major fairs, expositions, cultural and sporting events” With 72 nations competing against each other in 38 sporting and non sporting venues, there was 200 hours of live TV coverage by the main broadcaster alone(BBC). The Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games had a set of objectives to aim for, The internet site www. gameslecagy. com stated that the commonwealth games were to:- Deliver an outstanding sporting spectacle of world significance ,celebrating athletic excellence, cultural diversity and the unique atmosphere. To deliver a successful event on behalf of spectators and stakeholders.
To leave a lasting legacy of new sporting facilities, social, physical and economic regenerations, particularly around Manchester. To set a new benchmark for hosting international sporting events in the UK and the long term benefit they can generate for all those involved. This event is not just for sport, but to unite England and to involve as many people as possible, with the logo ” The Spirit of Friendship”. Manchester 2002 Chairman Charles Allen stated: “I can’t tell you how proud I am of my team, who have created the biggest and most successful multi-sport event ever held in Britain. ” The Manchester Commonwealth Games was the biggest sporting event in England since the 1948 Olympics.
The aim was to put Manchester on the map as an international sporting destination and with the support of its major sponsors and stakeholders, to create a post event… Commonwealth Games 2010 Commonwealth Games: Scary daredevilry of the corruptRajesh Kalra, 04 August 2010, 04:45 PM IST Over the past few days, the Indian media, as also media in several other parts of the world that will send teams to participate in the Commonwealth Games, have been relentless in pursuing stories about the brazen corruption in getting the facilities (both direct and indirect) ready for the Commonwealth Games, now less than two months away. The stories emerging are eye-popping, to say the least. In my posts, I have been commenting on the mess that is being created.
I had actually been priding myself in the way I had forecast what and how things would unfold as far as getting the facilities ready are concerned. This included shoddy workmanship, deliberate delays to create panic so that ‘no questions asked’ funds are available, unnecessary digging up and tearing apart infrastructure that seemed perfect, and so on. There is little that surprises me these days, but the dirt that is coming out now has truly been out of the ordinary and has made me change my views. Yes, these officers and politicians still have the ability to surprise! Imagine a treadmill that costs under Rs 1 lakh being hired for Rs 10 lakh for a 45-day period or even a toilet roll being bought for Rs. Ahem! 4000 plus.
And the list goes on – airconditioners, chairs, tables. Height of brazenness, really! However, given the furore, this is hopefully being investigated and a scapegoat would be found, punished and the matter buried, for good, just as we, the media would quickly get down to the more serious business of tracking which celebrity’s dog bit whom and whether the dog is alright or not. Although the development is extremely worrisome and disgusting, my real worry stems from the way the quality standards have been trampled upon. According to a report in our paper, the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) found that each and every quality certificate that it examined was forged. Seriously, can there be a…
