Virendra's Blog

The Beijing Olympic torch reached Delhi and the relay run took place last evening. The torch was carried by a number of famous sports-person in our country – Aamir Khan (the cricket player from Lagaan era), Sagarika Ghatge (the snobby/snotty looking, mean hockey player from Chak De India – yeah, the one who refused to pass ball to other team-mates) amongst them. Ok, there were a few oldies whose name I am unable to recall. Heard they won medals in past, big deal.
But anyway, all in all it was a really eventful and exciting run. The government of India/Delhi, Tibetan exiles, media everybody had their share of excitment. The torch itself was surrounded by 20 Chinese marshals, surrounded by a thousand Delhi policemen, surrounded by battalions from Central Police and Rapid Action Force. It just represented the “spirit of Olympics” like unity and freedom and will to excel. Just think when else will you see the Chinese and Indian intelligence agencies working together. Where else will you see 1500 children (10% of total strength of securitymen at point zero) displaying colourful dances and waving flags with all the freedom to vacant stands and roadsides. And where else will you see a torch-run so excellently turned into a stupid farce.
The only problem – there was not a single soul watching the torch or the torchbearers. Perhaps, people got stuck in the huge jams caused by the road blocks for torch run. Well they could not ask for help from a traffic cop either. They might face additional penalty for arguing with cops. (In Delhi talking and arguing with cops is one and same. Finally it is you end up paying). Also, since no one showed up, the chana-walas and paan-walas lost quite a business I suppose.
Well after all this I am actually looking upto arrangements when Commonwealth Games are held in 2010 in Delhi. I plan to leave for a long vacation to the farthest part of India to avoid the “spirit” of sport.