CWG opens as India cheers for success

Putting animus, anxiety and angst behind, India today cheered fullthroatedly for the success of the Commonwealth Games, which began today.

The opening ceremony might not have been the slickest ever and may have had its share of protocol and other glitches — the Prince of Wales being led to his chair by the Secretary to the President who put his arm around Prince Charles at one point; former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam being described by chairman of the Organising Committee Suresh Klamadi as Abul Kalam Azad; and large swathes of vacant chairs in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. But an enthusiastic audience made up for — and covered up — mistakes and certified the opening ceremony a success.

The cheers were the loudest for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, former President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Pakistan delegation was among those that also got loud cheers.

Kalmadi who got his share of cheers (and some booing) made a pointed reference in his speech to the fact that all Commonwealth countries had participated in the Games and conceded that worries had been cited about infrastructure lapses, health and preparedness. But he said that was in the past. The Prime Minister referred to the spirit of equality and sportsmanship in the Games. And the President of India (whose accent made the Duchess of Cornwall smile) opened the Games with all the force at her command.

The pageant was typically Indian: Gaudy, drawing on tradition and history. And the aerostat was worth it.