The CWG opening show reality: Rs 350 croreRajesh Kalra -05 October 2010,

The CWG opening show reality: Rs 350 croreRajesh Kalra

05 October 2010, 04:38 PM IST

The praise for the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony has been uniform, including from those who have been the bitterest critics over the months, such as the media in Australia and UK. Remember, it was the set of pictures on the BBC website of the filthy games village that turned viral, that did more harm to our image than perhaps all else put together.

Going by the reactions from world over, the stunning opening ceremony, not only wiped off that smear, but may have established us as someone who can deliver on the big stage, when it matters. The overall concept, the colours and organised chaos was so spectacular that some of niggles such as the lack of synchronisation among those who formed the tri-colour etc were easily overlooked. The object of much discussion in the run up to the ceremony, the aerostat, was the star enabler of the show. I wouldn’t call it the star, for that was undoubtedly the classical dancers and musicians of India who showcased to the world how diverse we are and how beautiful we can look when together. Another thing the opener achieved was to reinforce the widely held belief that we have an unparalleled ability to somehow make things happen against all odds, at the last moment. However, whether one should take it as a compliment or not is debatable.

The nation is mighty proud of the show, deservedly so, and the smooth conduct of the rest of the games would easily add to this growing sense of pride. Even the much ridiculed Organising Committee and the sundry ministers and officials involved with the games would bask in the success, hoping the stains of their past misdeeds would now be forgotten.

I don’t want to sound a party pooper, but do you know how much that spectacular 2.5 hours ceremony cost the nation? Brace yourself. It was Rs 350 crore. The original budget for the ceremony was Rs 50 crore. I can understand exceeding the original budget, for the cost of aerostat and its added paraphernalia alone was Rs 60 crore. But the rest of the ceremony cost Rs 290 crore! I spoke to several big event organisers and all of them were stunned at the amount claimed to have been spent on the ceremony.

In all fairness, shouldn’t we demand that the government show transparency for a change and share with us taxpayers the category wise list of expenses.

I am sure very few of us are against hosting big ticket events. For a nation with growing aspirations, events such as the opening ceremony help bolster its international appeal. But we are willing to spend the amount that is genuinely required for the event, not something that is so shamelessly and brazenly inflated that it looks obscene. Rip us apart, but not like this.

As I have often said in the past, it is easy to get carried away by the successes and there would soon be clamour for hosting the Olympics too. But if we are going to be spending money as recklessly as this, it is not on. It may just bring temporary succour in the form of international appreciation, but will suck us dry even more. To forgive and forget those who have plundered our money and fattened their bank balances at our cost in the garb of these games would be stupid.
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