Commonwealth Games, New Delhi, 2010

I will always always remember the opening ceremony of the commonwealth games. It will be the medicine I turn to when I'm down. It will be the source of positivity that I will look for when in doubt. It will be the belief that we all sometimes need, the proof of believing in our great nation, India.

The countdown to the games were trodden with their own controversies and negative media reporting, lambasting in the public and private, rampant. It was a process we've grown accustomed to, and maybe have made it a part of our lives. Corruption, lies, lagging work, hatred towards the bureaucratic set up, the mocking and jeering of the word "Incredible India", cringing when the ad "Dilli ho ooo" came on air - thinking about the unfinished work and wondering what exactly are we inviting people over to Delhi for, further disappointment when A R Rahman's inauguration song came under fire too, and what not. Hoping, wishing, deep down, maybe we'll get another chance to show the world what we've really got, yet realizing why we need to procrastinate everything?? This was it, this was the chance, and we've blown it. Maybe we're known the land of snake charmers, not for nothing. Maybe thats what we should go back to doing.

But wait, maybe all is not lost. Okay so maybe some parts of the game village are dirty, how long will it take to clean them up anyway? And the stadiums? Well they seem to be pretty well built. Corruption? Ah well maybe it happened, maybe its just overblown by the media. After all, we do tend to be negative sometimes, don't we? Maybe, maybe, maybe things will be fine - no further embarrassments God!
And so on and so forth, Indians prayed together to their Gods - the Hindus to their 84 lakh versions of different gods, the Muslims to their Allah, the Christians to Jesus, and so on.

Suddenly, somehow, the slate was wiped clean, a little. Okay, so maybe a cobra was found in the village, but that was just Lord Shiva at work! And the diplomats and athletes agreed to come, didn't they? Like PT Usha said, athletes are used to living in little "rough" conditions. Well, that settles it then. We have prepared "decently". Not too great, but presentable. Next time, pakka, we'll show them. We already have too much on our minds, don't disturb us, world!
Defensive mechanisms on work at their best!

The night arrives, and we sit with fingers crossed. Comparisons with China started even before the actual event did, and we are already edgy. This might turn out just more important than an India - Pakistan match. That just seems like a gali match right now. Here, our pride, our might is at stake.
Dignitaries arrive, and we look for notes of anxiety.. we try to gauge how excited the public is.. the stadium is full, so that's a good sign! No outwardly unruly behaviour, no negative reports till now, this better turn out good!!
And the next few minutes take our breath away.
Here we are, in front of the whole world, the 2nd most populated nation on earth, and no fear shows in our preparation, or in our capabilities. We display a spectacular show of wealth, culture, grit and determinedness, we show more to ourselves than to the world that Indians are not beaten, we are aggressive and patriotic to the hilt, its our emotional nature at work which is working hard despite all hurdles and negativities to make the event a grand success.. and not just a success, but a performance, an organisation which is at par of the world's best.
Everyone worked so hard at displaying what's wrong with the CWG... but no one took the care to look at the behind the scene people, who worked hard for the pride of the nation, and instilled in all of us a hope, that we too can work hard for this country, and feel blessed to be born here. Its the ordinary people toil which inspires us, after all, India was never anything but a common man's country. And all the performances, the showcase of culture, dignified and glorified all of it.
It's almost 24 hours since the ceremony, and yet all of it is still fresh. I can't help seeing the videos again and again, and feel the goosebumps rise. I will do so, till the excitement dies down, and then will preserve it as a wonderful memory.

A more extrovert person would want to go to the roof and harp to the world " Look at us, India and Indians, we rock!!"