off topic..janaji likes orange media only when it reports **** and torture in india...anything positive it becomes hindu owned media!!
NEW DELHI: The English have arrived in Delhi, even if not at the Games Village. The Scots will travel on Saturday, the Canadians on Sunday, the Kiwis say they'll get on a plane Tuesday, the Welsh are satisfied that everything is ready and the Australians say they are quite happy and "(the) contingent is coming".
The tide, choppy and lashing at India's self-esteem, appears to be changing in the last 12 hours. What's the reason? Two words: Cash and clout. The combination has led western governments to search for some way to send their teams to the crisis-ridden Games.
Diplomats agree the consequences of walking away from Delhi, capital of a rising economic power, could have been grave.
The Commonwealth countries have said 'yes' to the Games. Has India's cash and clout prompted the Western countries to change their minds? "Even the merest clean-up and reassurances from Delhi were enough for us to make a go of it," admitted a diplomat.
This appeared to have happened on Friday with Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief Michael Fennell visiting the Village and reporting that "considerable" improvements had been made. But in a warning that was also echoed by England chef de mission Craig Hunter, Fennell made it clear the organizers had to stay on their toes.
Sports minister MS Gill has also called up his counterparts from England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and they have given assurances that the teams will be participating in the Games.
The feeling that enlightened self-interest has been a key driver for countries like Australia, New Zealand, England and Canada was reinforced by their being bowled over suddenly by India's PR drive, led by Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. The lady's "gracious presence" at the Games Village, supervising the clean-up operation, was mentioned by virtually everyone as something that has infused them with loads of confidence. This despite the fact that the first few delegations will have to check into hotels instead of the Village which will become habitable only on Monday.
England's Craig Hunter added a caveat to his optimism: "Our next wave of athletes arrives Sunday and a lot still needs to happen before then. More and swift action is required." New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley said there has been significant progress in the last 24 hours but added that his team would continue to review hygiene and security issues on a daily basis. "We remain hopeful that things can be turned round," he said.
The English delegation, comprising hockey and lawn ball players and officials, stayed in three different hotels in the city. "We are heading for the hotels. We will leave for the Games Village on Monday," said a delegate at the airport. A senior OC official told TOI the delegation would have to foot their hotel bills.
Late on Friday, the England men's hockey team visited the Village and the team captain Barry Middleton told the BBC they were reasonably satisfied. "It's nice to see it for ourselves. The flats are spacious, which is good for a major Games, but there are bits and pieces to be done to bring them up to standard. A couple of days will make a difference." In other words, the efficient jhadu-pochha ops have to continue.
A western diplomat said the Games are ultimately a bump on the road of India's progress and long-term trends indicated it was best to stay engaged and friendly with Delhi. Add up the numbers and Friday's talk of a "triumphant spirit of sport" makes sense.
Take the example of Canada. Canadian direct investment in India is roughly 600 million Canadian dollars, while Indian direct investment in Canada is five times as much. In 2009, Canada ranked India as its 10th most important destination for the export of vegetables, fertilizers and machinery. Its officials agree their country didn't come out of the global recession well and are scouting for long-term access in India to keep the cash coming in.
India is currently Australia's third-largest export market. In 2009, Australia's trade surplus with India was a staggering $15.5 billion. Till the student row broke out, Indians were contributing roughly $1bn to Australia's third biggest export sector, education. Now, sources say Australia is out of pocket by at least $50 million because Indian student enrolment has dropped by half.
For the English too, cash counts, but more so the nominal clout they get by keeping the 54-member Commonwealth alive and kicking. This is seen to be the main reason England on Thursday night almost single-handedly helped lift the pall by announcing it would be sending a full team. London could not talk to Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland officials about sending their teams to Delhi because sport is a devolved issue in the UK but everyone knew that once England agreed the rest would get onboard too.
India's cash & clout soften tough stands - The Times of India
why to spend so much for fake image in the first place
