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How can India be a superpower if it can't even build a bridge?

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Debacle in New Delhi

BY SADANAND DHUME | SEPTEMBER 22, 2010


What was meant to be India's coming out party is quickly turning into a walk of shame. Only 10 days remain before the curtains go up on New Delhi's Commonwealth Games, the 19th edition of a quadrennial gathering that brings together the 70-odd nations of the former British Empire, and India's capital is a city in disarray.

In the past week, Islamist terrorists claimed credit for injuring two Taiwanese tourists in a drive-by shooting; a pedestrian bridge near the event's flagship stadium collapsed, injuring 23 workers; a Scottish official declared the athlete's village "unfit for human habitation"; and Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand issued travel advisories warning their citizens of more terrorist attacks during the games.

Ratcheting up the pressure on India, officials from England and New Zealand have raised doubts about whether the games will go ahead as scheduled. On Wednesday, Sir Andrew Foster, the chairman of England's Commonwealth team, told the BBC that the future of the event remained "on a knife edge." And what was a trickle of top athletes pulling out threatens to turn into a flood. Among those who won't be in Delhi come October: Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser, Australian tennis stars Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur, Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy, and English triple-jumper Phillips Idowu.

Cancellation still appears unlikely. Depending on whom you ask, and on whether you include a broader aesthetic and infrastructure facelift for Delhi timed to coincide with the games, India has sunk between $3 billion and $10 billion on the event. With national prestige riding on a successful outcome, it would take a catastrophe -- say a major terrorist attack or flooding on the streets of Delhi -- for the government to throw in the towel. And decisions by individual competitors notwithstanding, few countries would risk a diplomatic row with India by pulling out over the state of athletes' apartments and amorphous fears of terrorism.

Nonetheless, the controversy over the games highlights the gulf between India's lofty ambitions and its often messy reality. Over the last 20 years, liberalization and globalization have unshackled many of the country's most productive citizens from heavy-handed socialism and raised living standards faster than at any time in the nation's history. But even as the private sector booms -- swelling the middle class and producing billionaires by the fistful -- the quality of governance remains abysmal. Neither the courts nor the electorate punish public servants for amassing private fortunes. In parts of the country, the political and criminal classes are hard to tell apart.

Even before the most recent spate of bad news, the run-up to the Commonwealth Games has been plagued with scandal: multimillion-dollar stadiums with leaky roofs, fly-by-night firms accused of collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars without a written contract, and absurdly overpriced equipment and supplies, including $8,700 air-conditioners, $19,500 treadmills, and, most famously, $80 toilet paper rolls. Needless to say, Delhi is hardly the only city in the world where politicians and building contractors collude. But somehow, in other places, overpriced roads and bridges don't seem to fall apart with such alarming regularity.

For India's burgeoning middle class, the Commonwealth Games' natural audience, daily reminders of official ineptitude and corruption are hard to swallow. A popular joke on Twitter about Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the organizing committee and a member of the ruling Congress Party, sums up the national mood: "Suresh Kalmadi tried to hang himself but the ceiling collapsed!" Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and national Sports Minister M.S. Gill are the other popular villains. The comparison with Beijing's immaculate hosting of the 2008 Olympics only adds insult to injury.

Of course, as with so much else in India, there's always the chance the games will come together at the last minute in the madly disorganized but ultimately enjoyable manner of a Punjabi wedding (to use the Indian media's favorite metaphor). Early troubles with stadiums appear to have been resolved for the most part -- at least until Wednesday, when part of a false ceiling collapsed at a weight-lifting venue. A frenzied clean-up job will likely make the athlete's village "fit for human habitation." And barring further mishaps, once the games begin, the media's attention will naturally shift from organizational deficiencies to athletic performance. But the games' deficiencies might actually be a home-field advantage: The absence of many international stars will likely give India's traditionally underperforming athletes their 15 minutes of Commonwealth-wide fame.

Larger questions about India's governance capabilities remain. The Indian middle class -- at best, 300 million people out of a population of 1.1 billion -- may not have the numbers to decide elections, but it needs to demand a greater say in the country's governance. This means finding ways to translate its economic muscle into political clout. Until Indian politicians are held to the same standards as their counterparts in advanced democracies, the country will have to continue to suffer the ignominy of collapsing bridges, sub-par apartment complexes, and $80 toilet rolls.

Debacle in New Delhi - By Sadanand Dhume | Foreign Policy
 
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well to be fair
this kind of accident(bridge fall) r not rare worldwild, china did happened, and canada did too(accroding to huffington post comment bellow the inda bridge fall news)

People will not see that way. They will compare China's highly successful Olympic Games in 2008 with the Indian CWG debacle of 2010.
 
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The Hindu : Front Page : Pranab reviews growing India-Bangladesh ties

Pranab reviews growing India-Bangladesh ties

Sunday, Aug 08, 2010. Haroon Habib

DHAKA: Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee made a brief visit to Dhaka on Saturday for talks with Bangladesh leaders on the growing cooperation between the two neighbours.

This is the first visit by a key Indian leader since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi in January. Mr. Mukharjee was received at the airport by Bangladesh Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith.

One of the main objectives of Mr. Mukharjee's visit was to witness the signing of $1-billion credit facility offered by India to Bangladesh. Witnessed by Pranab Mukharjee and Bangladesh Finance Minister and Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Mashiur Rahman, the agreement was signed by the chief of the EXIM Bank of India and the Secretary of Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division (ERD).

The amount will be used for implementing 14 projects, mostly related to the development of railway infrastructure in Bangladesh, the upgrading of the Ashuganj river port, construction of roads and bridges to facilitate trans-shipment of Indian goods to its north-eastern region through Bangladesh, purchase of double-decker buses from India and setting up of a power gridline between India and Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the credit facility for a range of projects, including supply of locomotives and passenger coaches, revival of the Saidpur railway workshop and river dredging projects during Ms. Sheikh Hasina's visit.

The main features of the credit line agreement are rate of interest 1.75 per cent per annum (fixed); commitment fee 0.5 percent per annum on unutilised credit after 12 months from the date of contract approval; and repayment period of 20 years (including a grace of 5 years).

The main Opposition BNP earlier called on the government not to sign the agreement, terming it “disgraceful” and saying that the interest rate was “too high.”

Mr. Mukherjee, however, told journalists that the terms and condition of the agreement were “very favourable.” The line of credit for Bangladesh was the one-time single largest credit package offered by New Delhi to any other country.

Mr. Mukharjee called on Ms. Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gonobhaban. He also held talks with his counterpart Muhith and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni. They reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries during Ms. Sheikh Hasina's visit.

Official sources said Mr. Mukherjee also reviewed decisions taken in light of the 51-point joint communiqué issued during Ms. Sheikh Hasina's visit.

Bangladesh also raised issues like signing of Teesta water sharing agreement and boundary demarcation. Although the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh agreed to sign the interim agreement, progress is yet to be made, despite both sides having had a series of meetings since January.

Transit facility

Mr. Pranab Mukharjee said, New Delhi would earmark the non-tariff barriers and remove the obstruction for Bangladeshis products' access to the his country's market.

“We will soon have in place arrangements to allow trucks from Nepal to enter the Bangladesh side of the land customs station at Banglabandha,” Mr. Mukharjee said after holding a meeting with Mr. Muhith here .

Mr. Muhith said his country would serve as the best transit service-providing country in the South Asian region. Bangladesh could provide transit facilities to Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar and China . Bangladesh had agreed to revive the land customs stations along the Tripura Mizoram border, build a bridge over the common river Feni at Sabroom-Ramgarh point, and strengthen other border infrastructure.
 
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well to be fair
this kind of accident(bridge fall) r not rare worldwild, china did happened, and canada did too(accroding to huffington post comment bellow the inda bridge fall news)

That's true, bridges collapse all over the world.

So it's not really a great test for deciding who is, or who is not an emerging superpower.
 
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From wiki..........


During the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, India offered intelligence and other forms of support for the Coalition forces. After the overthrow of the Taliban, India established diplomatic relations with the newly-established democratic government, provided aid and participated in the reconstruction efforts. India has provided USD 650-750 million in humanitarian and economic aid, making it the largest regional provider of aid for Afghanistan. The Indian Army's Border Roads Organisation is constructing a major road in the remote Afghan province of Nimroz. India's support and collaboration extends to rebuilding of air links, power plants and investing in health and education sectors as well as helping to train Afghan civil servants, diplomats and police. India also seeks the development of supply lines of electricity, oil and natural gas.

Both nations also developed strategic and military cooperation against Islamic militants. Owing to the killing of an Indian national by Taliban militants in November 2005, India deployed 200 soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to provide security for Indian nationals and the projects supported by India. Afghanistan strengthened its ties with India in wake of persisting tensions and problems with Pakistan, which was suspected of continuing to shelter and support the Taliban. India pursues a policy of close cooperation in order to bolster its standing as a regional power and contain its rival Pakistan, which is supporting Islamic militants in Kashmir and other parts of India.

Three MoUs (memorandum of understanding) for strengthening cooperation in the fields of rural development, education and standardization between the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) and Afghan National Standardization Authority were signed between India and Afghanistan during Hamid Karzai's visit to India during 9-13 April 2006. An agreement providing $50 million to promote bilateral businesses between India and Afghanistan was signed during the visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Spanta between June 29 and July 1, 2006. During the same year, India raised its aid package to Afghanistan by $150 million, to $750 million. India also supported Afghanistan's bid to become a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).



During the 15th SAARC summit in Colombo, India pledged another USD $450 million along with $750 million already pledged for ongoing and forthcoming projects. In August 2008, Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited New Delhi. This visit further strengthened bilateral relations, and Prime Minister Singh pledged further aid for Afghanistan.
 
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I never realized that the Indian Superpowerhood was just a bridge construction away. If that bridge had not fallen India would be regarded as the Superpower and the world would be sitting at our feet. Alas!! Margar yeh ho na saka.

So we will not claim - and it has never been claimed by India, that we are a superpower. But coming this close to Superpowerhood must have elevated India's status as regional power - atleast in author's books.

We have read several anti-superpower peices - which are basically straw-men argument. It (Regional / Super power status has never claimed by India (Apart from some jingoistic bloggers maybe). This is a good way to bash India - Stick on a label and throw the kitchen sink at it defying it.
 
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More important than "HOW can India be a superpower?"

is

"DOES India want to be superpower?"

Answer: NO

No matter what a few fanboys say on many internet forums, 'NO' is the answer.

@MBI Munshi: According to you what are the criteria for a country to be a superpower?:pop:
 
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Dear MBI Munshi,

I've posted the above two articles to show that we are active in our neighboring countries and helping them to improve their Infrastructure.

I've not posted these articles to prove that we are a superpower because you cannot become a superpower overnight...

But yes we are an emerging power...
 
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The sad truth is the country's image is tainted because of some corrupted, selfish, unethical individuals. While the fiasco does have an effect on a country's image at hosting a sporting event, I fail to see how its a measure of India's current success. There are plenty such individuals all over the world and more so in developing nations like India. Please do not get too ahead of your intentions or twist it like how you want it to sound.
 
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well i agree its a shame

it has brought shame and disgrace to india tnx to our corrupt leaders

the brand INDIA has been damaged

wat an disgrace it has bought to the nation all tnx to kalmadi and congress

congress should accept the liability for what it has done
 
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If I were in India, I would totally sue that suresh kalmadi for damaging India's and indians reputation. I don't have to win, but at lease they'll know their countrymen care. But no worries, I would return to India next year, if no one takes up, I'll.
 
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well i agree its a shame

it has brought shame and disgrace to india tnx to our corrupt leaders

the brand INDIA has been damaged

wat an disgrace it has bought to the nation all tnx to kalmadi and congress

congress should accept the liability for what it has done

I thanks to god that both, State and Central, governments are ruled by Congress I. Else, after all this menace a great blame game was inevitable.
 
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