Fifteen years ago, the build-up to the Commonwealth Games 2010 was marred by construction delays, corruption scandals, a dengue fever outbreak, the collapse of a footbridge near the main stadium, and security fears after the shooting of two tourists outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid mosque. These happenings were terrible, and nobody can deny that. However, what was more bothersome was that it had become a national pastime to exaggerate everything that was going wrong with the game’s preparation. No time was wasted in proclaiming that the games would be an abject failure. One athlete withdrew from the games, and the repeated announcements made it seem like the majority of athletes had decided to stay back. The organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 left a blot on India’s image, and the allegations of fund misuse spoke volumes about the inept handling of the entire affair. But the way a few sections of the Indian media reacted seemed like they were working on an agenda.

The allegations of corruption against Kalmadi or his aides should have been dealt with, and he should have been asked to explain everything, but only after the Games were over. The task at hand should have been completed without further blemish, allowing the accountability factor to be addressed thereafter.

Whatever shortfalls there were were removed, and after the assurance given by the GOI, the matter should have rested. Simply spreading negativity wasn’t the answer, and we were supposed to support India in ensuring the success of the games. Regarding security issues, we had managed them many times before, as was evidenced by our successful organisation of cricket world cups and IPL tournaments. In fact, Delhi had successfully hosted the first Asian Games in 1951.

Indian masses are fully capable of taking care of the politicians in their own way, as and when they have had enough. The games and the country’s reputation were at stake. A lot had to be done and was done to save the face of the nation. Some people tried to malign Delhi in the name of the Commonwealth Games. On certain internet sites, some people said that Delhi is the worst city in India and that the games should have been held in another city. Delhiites worked extra hard and proved that they are the best.

All 71 countries confirmed their participation and arrived in Delhi. We Indians have a penchant for doing things at the very last moment, but it’s not entirely true that we were unprepared. Indra Devta (Indian God of rain) was not too happy with Sheila ji, the then Chief Minister of Delhi. It rained a little too much that year, which made the situation worse. I am not trying to justify the delay, but we can’t ignore that aspect. Delhiites understood what M S Gill, the then sports minister, meant when he compared CWG 2010 preparations to ‘beti ki shaadi(daughter’s wedding)’ after the games were finished successfully. They felt like ‘beti sukh shanti se vida ho gayi(their daughter was seen off happily and peacefully)’. The groom’s side was quite demanding, complaining and cribbing.

The nation wants to know(might want to know) whether the ones who raised questions about Delhi’s and, in the process, India’s preparedness to host the Commonwealth Games were patriots for thinking about India’s reputation as a sport hosting country, or they should have been considered traitors because they criticised their government? In a democracy, raising questions against the government is legitimate; those who worked on an agenda, into which category will they fall?

I had clicked these pictures a few days before the Commonwealth Games 2010 started.

A few months before the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Photos and text by Prerna Jain.