FoxyPV Posted 21 September 2010 Posted 21 September 2010 After hearing a series of negative reports in the build up to the games, including problems with infrastructure, buildings and several high profile absentees, I think this could possibly be a step too far.
Jimothy Posted 21 September 2010 Posted 21 September 2010 It must be bad if people from Scotland are saying it's unfit for human habitation.
James. Posted 22 September 2010 Posted 22 September 2010 I was going to start a thread on this today. Needless to say the build up to the CWG has been all over the news ever since I got here about 10 weeks ago. First of all the focus was on corruption which is absolutely inherent in Indian daily life. From speaking to people here it's simply common knowledge that the government is full of criminals (literally) and corrupt politicians so it's no surprise to see many of the projects come under scrutiny for "financial irregularities". There was also a focus on the delay in getting the infrastructure ready and all of the cost cutting, best-practice-avoiding methods that contructors were using to ensure their projects were ready on time. It now seems that the combination of corruption, lack of organisation and poor workmanship is now coming to fruition and finally the news appears to be getting more and more exposure away from India. Over here it's been clear for quite some time that there was going to be serious issues in getting everything ready (apparently Indian newspapers have been raising concerns for the last 3 years). Just this morning I was watching the Urban Development Minister talk to a Jeremy Paxman like interviewer on Indian CNN. In response to the news that the foot bridge had collapsed (hospitalising 27 workers) he described it as "not a major issue". Furthermore there are distinct cultural differences that affect things like expectations of cleanliness - not that this excuses reports of human and animal faeces in the Olympic village. Add to this the increased threat from terrorism following two Taiwanese getting shot in Delhi the other day (claimed by the the Indian Mujahideen) and the forecast of heavy rains during the tail end of the monsoon and the odds of 4-1 offered by William Hill that the games might not go ahead could be worth a few quid...
Fosse Boy Posted 22 September 2010 Posted 22 September 2010 I'll feel for the athletes of Niue Island if the games don't go ahead.
purpleronnie Posted 22 September 2010 Posted 22 September 2010 I understand there are problems but our athletes pulled out for safety reasons....what safety concerns do they have? Has there been security issues?
James. Posted 22 September 2010 Posted 22 September 2010 I understand there are problems but our athletes pulled out for safety reasons....what safety concerns do they have? Has there been security issues? It's probably partly due to the terrorist attack in Delhi the other day.
purpleronnie Posted 22 September 2010 Posted 22 September 2010 Oh dear, hadn't heard about it. I can understand it then.
Alexikokopops Posted 23 September 2010 Posted 23 September 2010 Some pictures of the Athletes Village. The full story can be found here.
Raj Posted 23 September 2010 Posted 23 September 2010 Some pictures of the Athletes Village. The full story can be found here. Where is this village? Beaumont Leys??? Looks half decent to me....
Zingari Posted 23 September 2010 Posted 23 September 2010 I don't know what prince Philip would have to say about all this
Wycombe Fox Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 Many apologies for having an immature moment, but the name of the Chief Minister of Delhi is Dr. Dikshit Excuse me whilst I go away and grow up...
Dr The Singh Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 My family have 3 business in Inida and have contacts\relations all over India and I go every year, and i'm fortunate to see the 'real' India, and not no business \tourist view of it. This isn't just a 'political' issue, the corruption and the dire iregard for life is a probem with Indian society. Indian people really, really need to look at themselves, over 40% of a billion population live below the poverty line, child labour isa t highest in the world and so is child prostitution, it's also the rape capital of the world. Yet Indians as a whole proceed with this moral high line with a chip on there shoulder, people life blind to and disregard the issues regarding the poor, the low caste and differing races\religions. India is a wonderous place of culture and history, but it is also one with alot of issues, in it's short history, it has killed more people then either british or moghul occupations, and yet the value of life is 0!!!
Wycombe Fox Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 My family have 3 business in Inida and have contacts\relations all over India and I go every year, and i'm fortunate to see the 'real' India, and not no business \tourist view of it. This isn't just a 'political' issue, the corruption and the dire iregard for life is a probem with Indian society. Indian people really, really need to look at themselves, over 40% of a billion population live below the poverty line, child labour isa t highest in the world and so is child prostitution, it's also the rape capital of the world. Yet Indians as a whole proceed with this moral high line with a chip on there shoulder, people life blind to and disregard the issues regarding the poor, the low caste and differing races\religions. India is a wonderous place of culture and history, but it is also one with alot of issues, in it's short history, it has killed more people then either british or moghul occupations, and yet the value of life is 0!!! I would really like to visit India one day.
Dr The Singh Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 I would really like to visit India one day. You should go, depending on what your into, there's a part of India for you. India isn't a country it's a continent, it has over 200 languages and 2000 religions and races. Each state has it's uniqueness and flavour, unfortuantely it's one of it's biggest attractions, but politically it's one of it's biggest head aches!!!
James. Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 Yet Indians as a whole proceed with this moral high line with a chip on there shoulder, people life blind to and disregard the issues regarding the poor, the low caste and differing races\religions. India is a wonderous place of culture and history, but it is also one with alot of issues, in it's short history, it has killed more people then either british or moghul occupations, and yet the value of life is 0!!! These two points completely reflect what I have learnt about the place since being here. Although I have only been here for just under 2 and a half months I am fortunate enough to have spoken to many people about India and the problems it faces as well as hearing from my girlfriend about her experiences working for NGO's in the slums and on the streets of Mumbai. From what I've read, seen, done and heard I would like to think I have at least a small grasp of "real India" as well and it is very much a chaotic, divided, troubled yet fantastic place. I find the issues regarding caste particularly interesting (yet depressing). Reading about what places like Bihar and Lucknow have been through in the past makes you aware of how deeply set some of these problems are and just how long it will take for change to occur. You're probably more than aware of the Ayodhya dispute Singh. The verdict is due tomorrow, I just hope that doesn't cause any further problems ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Dr The Singh Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 These two points completely reflect what I have learnt about the place since being here. Although I have only been here for just under 2 and a half months I am fortunate enough to have spoken to many people about India and the problems it faces as well as hearing from my girlfriend about her experiences working for NGO's in the slums and on the streets of Mumbai. From what I've read, seen, done and heard I would like to think I have at least a small grasp of "real India" as well and it is very much a chaotic, divided, troubled yet fantastic place. I find the issues regarding caste particularly interesting (yet depressing). Reading about what places like Bihar and Lucknow have been through in the past makes you aware of how deeply set some of these problems are and just how long it will take for change to occur. You're probably more than aware of the Ayodhya dispute Singh. The verdict is due tomorrow, I just hope that doesn't cause any further problems ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The timing of the event is crucial, politically, it is expected that the verdict will side with the hindus. Any insuing violence or terror will be blamed on Islamic radicals full view of the world. The political gains is enormous, pakistan and muslims will be vilified, and will give India the green light infront of the world to use a 'iron fist' in Kashmir, which at this moment is getting alot of anti india publicity. Then there's the moaist, India needs a valid reason to use any means necessary to curb that movement. Either way, this event will give India to as always adapt 'state terrorism' against a movement or a minority. India is very complex place, and it's surprising it still exists. The way the nation was formed is the basis of all the troubles, the elite (Congress\Gandhi\Nehru), took over the nation, conquered those states that did not want to be a part of it (Kashmir, Hyderabad) and broke promises to many that wanted to be a part of it, (Punjab). The elite cared little for the common man including Gandhi, and what was the United States of India became India or Hindustan, land of the hindus. Any nation based around a religion is always gonna come accross problems where there are many other religions also. Hence today the caste system is still prevelant, and the political system, is based on race and caste. A low caste dalit will vote for a low caste dalit, a Sikh will vote for a Sikh in punjab and a hindu will vote for a hindu in punjab. India has yet to evolve and get around it's caste and religious politics, still people of low caste are not accepted and aloowed in public places, places of worship, schools etc, UNTIL the leading elite (whom are mostly hindu and adhere to bhraminism, fook off, this will never happen!!!!
James. Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 India has yet to evolve and get around it's caste and religious politics, still people of low caste are not accepted and aloowed in public places, places of worship, schools etc, UNTIL the leading elite (whom are mostly hindu and adhere to bhraminism, fook off, this will never happen!!!! It's not that simple though is it? There are examples of lower castes taking places in a state's government yet problems only getting worse (Bihar for example which witnessed shocking atrocities committed by both ends of the caste spectrum).
Dr The Singh Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 It's not that simple though is it? There are examples of lower castes taking places in a state's government yet problems only getting worse (Bihar for example which witnessed shocking atrocities committed by both ends of the caste spectrum). Mate, nothing is simple when it comes to India, and especially politics. Corruption and mismanagement comes straight from the top of society to the bottom, the top are educated but abuse the masses (ie child labour, working practices and slavery), driven by greed, there clothes, houses, cleaning are driven by blood money. The PM of India knowingly pays the tenth of the price for his nice turban and suit done in a sweatshop by some kid. You speak to the rich, they say if they don't allow sweatshops with kids, the kids won;t work and can't feed themselves etc. The poor\low caste, are generally not well educated, if there given funding, there greed takes over and they misuse the funds. Because, all of Inida is on the take (police, politicians, religious leaders, government staff), the rest of society has to adapt for for example, my dad has a foundry in punjab, every month, a guy from the waterboard, polution dept, IRS, electricity board will come asking for bribes, if my dad does not pay, they will shut the firm down. Now you might say, my dad should let them and go back to the authorities, well for my dad to visit a senior member of staff, would have to pay a bribe to the clerk to get an appointment, and then the senior will ask for double the bribe..............ok so my dad decides to take them to court..first the lawyer will advise to bribe the proceedings or pay the authorities, and to get a date of the trial or hearing can take months, if not years. So my dad's firm will be without elec, water, and if the police is involved my dad could be in prison without charge for months!! The whole system is fooked!!!
James. Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 Mate, nothing is simple when it comes to India, and especially politics. Corruption and mismanagement comes straight from the top of society to the bottom, the top are educated but abuse the masses (ie child labour, working practices and slavery), driven by greed, there clothes, houses, cleaning are driven by blood money. The PM of India knowingly pays the tenth of the price for his nice turban and suit done in a sweatshop by some kid. You speak to the rich, they say if they don't allow sweatshops with kids, the kids won;t work and can't feed themselves etc. The poor\low caste, are generally not well educated, if there given funding, there greed takes over and they misuse the funds. Because, all of Inida is on the take (police, politicians, religious leaders, government staff), the rest of society has to adapt for for example, my dad has a foundry in punjab, every month, a guy from the waterboard, polution dept, IRS, electricity board will come asking for bribes, if my dad does not pay, they will shut the firm down. Now you might say, my dad should let them and go back to the authorities, well for my dad to visit a senior member of staff, would have to pay a bribe to the clerk to get an appointment, and then the senior will ask for double the bribe..............ok so my dad decides to take them to court..first the lawyer will advise to bribe the proceedings or pay the authorities, and to get a date of the trial or hearing can take months, if not years. So my dad's firm will be without elec, water, and if the police is involved my dad could be in prison without charge for months!! The whole system is fooked!!! Doesn't surprise me. A colleague of mine was telling me that to become a policeman you have to bribe the police to accept your application..!! Kind of sums it up.
Dr The Singh Posted 27 September 2010 Posted 27 September 2010 Doesn't surprise me. A colleague of mine was telling me that to become a policeman you have to bribe the police to accept your application..!! Kind of sums it up. HArbhajan Singh the cricket player lives in my parents home town and lives on the same street as my cousin....his parents sold one floor of there house so there son could play cricket!!! For any government job, police solcial services, you need to bribe, and if you don't take bribes you will be sacked!! The issue with bihar is that the biharis are what you call on 'payback'. Biharis are dalits hence untouchables, and since india has formed, the government has neglected them, in recent years they have migrated to other states for better oppportunities but certain states have treated them very badly they do the work that nobody wants to for a very cheap price, and the RSS, VHP who are a massive part of the BJP government party want them banned from Maharashtra!! Bihari's now have woken up and it's payback for all the years of abuse they got!!!
StanSP Posted 4 October 2010 Posted 4 October 2010 pretty impressive opening ceremony Indeed. I was fully impressed with what they delivered and there were a few creative surprises - the kids and the painting of the welcoming hands was sublime. Hope the competition lives up to what the opening ceremony did. And I also hope that all the negativity is suspended til the end, but maybe that's asking too much!
Zingari Posted 4 October 2010 Posted 4 October 2010 Indeed. I was fully impressed with what they delivered and there were a few creative surprises - the kids and the painting of the welcoming hands was sublime. Hope the competition lives up to what the opening ceremony did. And I also hope that all the negativity is suspended til the end, but maybe that's asking too much! sadly ,at the moment , judging by the crowds , it hasn't captured the attention of the local population maybe it may pick up
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