^^^^^^^^
we have similar problems in Pakistan also; corruption, desire to ''cut corners'' and accountability (lack thereof)
therefore from my perspective, i can ''understand'' what the problem is here; but when it comes to such high profile events the Kalmadis and Dixshits and CWGs organizers + those that won the bids to do the work should have gotten their acts together AGES ago. Mother nature of course is to blame for some of the delays (15-20 days)
in Karachi, people were SLAVING themselves and running around like crazy just to ensure that IDEAS-2008 defence expo could go as planned --even though turnout was not as high as previous years (for reasons we know already)
silly to compare a Defence exhibition to ''commonwealth'' games but you get the idea......in your case, you have more favourable political environment but the presentation and execution are AWFUL
opposite in our case; we had shiny VIP arrangements and good presentation, but people (even some ''military'' people of foreign countries who are not supposed to be averse to some risk) were nervous about venturing out into Pakistan --especially after all the bad media coverages
I have a question - How significant is the role of media?? They have been crying a river about mismanagement and delays since ages and yet nothing came of it. What is the use of have a free media - if the ruling class treats it just as a barking dog which has no teeth.
Several issues have been raised overwhelmingly in recent times with response from government being nothing more than a shrug-off. Starting from CWG to Naxalite issues to even Kashmir. We have been reading so many articles questioning the govt. stand with hardly any effect on the thick skinned bureaucrats and politicians.
Even now all we are getting is "These are minor issues" and "All Izz well" sort of response from the officials.
It has moved beyond corruption. Corruption is there in most developing nations - but the lack of accountability and indifference is what takes it to an entirely different plane altogether. We are proudly joking about IST being Indian Stretchable Time, When we book our flats we are ourselves sure that we wont be getting possessions for atleast 2 years beyond the promised date. When we do get possession - 70% of the features mentioned in the brochure are left their itself. Instead of the promised swimming pool we get an additional block, instead of gymnasium we get a community centre. It is all accepted and even expected by most owners.
For economically weaker section problem is even more acute. They are promised relocation and end up losing even their present accommodation. National Rural employment scheme pays not to the needy but to the greedy. Food grain is ******* in the selos and people are starving. All the rancid grain is given to alcohol manufacturers.
What they have done now is allocated a IAS officer for each block of village and provided him with a team to conduct a cleanliness drive in the village. They will just make some quick-fix jugaads and things will go astray when athletes move in.
The civil construction in India is a big big mess. We have a policy of only offering jobs to contractors with huge economic backing a construction history of big projects. All we have is major contractors bagging the projects then splitting into smaller jobs and giving to sub contractor who again in turn give the jobs to still smaller contractors. In the end the job is done by the same smallest contractor with little or no experience at half the cost which was sanctioned by the govt. He has no option but to cut corners and basically do a substandard job. If he refuses - his survival itself would be hampered. In addition to this a major portion of money he receives has to be aid as bribe to get the job in the first place.
Ohh I am in a mood to rant. Should lie down and sleep now.