So India has achieved this dubious distinction of hosting the Common Wealth Games, 19th of their kind in history, to be held from 03rd to 14th October, 2010 in New Delhi – not just the capital but even the pride of India in its own fashion. Now, how India gets geared up for the organization and seamless execution of this grand occasion and how it converts the flak and critique into exalt and praise is the current hotspot of discussions regarding CWG -2010. However, what actually needs to be brought to attention is few facts regarding the gala event, intriguing enough to moot upon.
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The SHERA
To start with, lets talk about (I mean write about!!) the mascot of the games. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome SHERA (if that would have been any hindi version of a south Indian movie, it would have been SHERA The Tiger!!). Actually, the name has been derived from the hindi version of the word “tiger”. It is said that tiger represents the modern India. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a fierce competitor with integrity and honesty, a ‘large-hearted gentleman who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’. All these qualities of Mr. Shera, my friends, are not something that I am saying, its the official CWG 2010 website that says it all. Shera is the most visible face of CWG 2010 (of course only after Mr. Suresh Kalmadi!!) and its description seems no less pragmatic than politically idealistic. Given to understand the ongoing “Divide India in smaller states” drama, the sense of ‘large-hearted gentlemen’ fits in rationally and reasonably. Maybe political brass who believe in smaller states should take a learning from Mr. Shera! Coming to integrity and honesty, I strongly believe that CWG – New Delhi would be a preacher for many who have somehow deliberately or inadvertently forgotten that life’s dictionary is incomplete without rectitude and virtue. Making Shera the face of CWG 2010 is absolutely fine, and the finest by portraying it as the face of Modern India – technically advancing sporting India
Next, we move onto the logo of the games. Its a bright, scintillating upward spiral with trapezoids, dots and articulated leaflets. Not an innovative design though, but the concept behind it is really intellectual. It is inspired by Chakra, the national symbol for freedom, unity and power. The upward spiral is meant to portray the growth of India into a proud and vibrant nation. 2 conspicuous observations here – first, CWG committee need to burn the midnight oil righteously to pass the litmus test of magnificently displaying India’s growth to the world. In other words, whatever be the observations of juries and committees on the progress of India’s preparation towards CWG, they should blatantly concentrate on giving the visiting athletes the best. We all know India can and ALL THE BEST to the working committee. Second, it invites people from all over the world ( in this context, 71 countries), to come out and participate in the Games to the best of their abilities. This is something than sounds a chord. There are also descriptions about the various colours that paint up the logo -Green for Green Games, Purple for stability and calm, Red for humanity, Yellow for destiny, Blue for equality and Pink for surprise & luxury. Very well thought indeed and a great idea. However, simply a tri-colour might have been the best!
Finally, its time to host the first ever Green Games. The dire necessity for all of us to restrain energy waste of all sorts is self explanatory. CWG 2010 would be conducted, keeping in mind minimum damage to the climate and the environment. This is a great thought process and a colossal initiative. The construction and renovation of the various venues to be used for the Games is being done with this vision in mind of the organisers. Thyagaraj stadium (to be used for Netball during the Games) is a testament to this. It is being built using fly ash bricks and effective water management techniques like Rain Water Harvesting, huge sewage treatment, dual flush systems, sensor based faucets and much more. The electricity generation would be done using Photovoltaic cell concept. The CWG committee also aims at building a platform to offer a unique opportunity to conduct large scal outreach programs that would educate the masses for conservation of energy. They plan to leverage this opportunity into a mega green awareness program. Some such campaigns that they plan to promote are Anti – Litter campaign, Bio diverse Afforestation drive, Sustainable transport, Water Conservation rally and Eco Compliant lifestyle. I profoundly hope that the organisers walk the talk in this matter. And if they do, they would transform the way a mega sports event would be conducted anywhere in the world in future and they would be the ones to present to the world a new dimension for a sporting mega event. I guess there could be nothing better than promoting this campaign, obviously smooth and successful conduct of Games is primarily important though.
