The Delhi Commonwealth Games - an Aussie Sikh's perspective

On the last day of the 19th. Commonwealth Games held in October 2010, in Delhi, India, Australia 'nailed' India 8-0 in the field hockey finals. Then we lost the women's netball finals in a nail-biting finish into extra-extra time against arch-rivals New Zealand. Finally we picked up two minor medals - a silver and a bronze in the men's and women's marathon to round up a very successful foray by the Australian Commonwealth Games team. I shall not go into the final medal tally because that is embarrassing! You can google that! It suffices to say that India, had a record medal tally haul and were placed second to Australia over the big guns England, and Canada.

As I sat watching the closing ceremony late last night I felt a tinge of sadness as it was over. I had enjoyed these two weeks tremendously. I thought I should pen a few lines about the event.

Besides our successful achievements, a 'safe from terrorist attack/s' and otherwise major mishap-free games in India, it was a joy to catch glimpses of my ancestral land, our gurdwaras in Delhi and generous glimpses of 'my' people - Sikhs.

Firstly, I have to compliment our (free TV) Channel Ten coverage which firstly made me a TV addict for two weeks! The coverage was magnificent, though as expected biased towards events in which Australians featured, but I did not mind that as most of them also featured Malaysian and then Indian sportsmen and sportswomen (in that order). I am Australian now. I was born and brought up in Malaysia and my ancestory is from India. From my personal perspective, as a Sikh, it was great to view our gurdwaras of Delhi being shown constantly in the background of the central commentary team and also when some members of the Australian team visited a number of them. In the daily segment when some of our reporters went into the city to talk to ordinary 'Indians', a great number of Sikhs on the streets were interviewed. They all portrayed the true Sikh spirit - friendly, yet not to be fooled around with, highly knowledgeable of what was happening around them and most importantly, hard-working,honest and hospitable! They of course all spoke fluent English.

Three months before the event and leading up to it, there was doubt whether the venues would even be ready in time. Then there was doubt on Indian security forces being able to fend off any security threats. A bridge within the sports complex collapsed; some roofing fell in the swim arena and there were rumours of cheap building materials being used which could be dangerous when the arenas were full. There were rumours of large-scale corruption and monies being misappropriated. Snakes, rats, cats and monkies were found in the athletes' residential village. There were fears of dengue because there were large pools of stagnant water very close to the athletes' village. There was talk of boycotts by some countries, even Australia. Some athletes withdrew due to fears for their health and safety.

Except for the funds misappropriations (which will now be investigated... we are promised) and some 'Delhi-bellies' (mild food poisoning and diarrhoea), all other fears proved unfounded and Delhi can boast of very successful games with a memorable Opening Ceremony.

I hear that the Delhi Beggars Union is very unhappy for all beggars were rounded up and 'secured' so that they would not harass the visitors. (Slum-dwellers who had to make way for new construction etc. have been re-housed, we are told.) All stray cows were rounded up and dropped off on the outskirts of Delhi and stray dogs, cats and especially monkies were shoo'd out of Delhi and kept at bay! It worked! Delhi has had a memorable Commonwealth Games - the second time these games have been held in a non-white 'Commonwealth' country. (The first were in Malaysia in 1998.)

Suddenly, almost overnight, Delhi has become a most sought after place to visit for those Australians who like to travel. They can now expand their horizons from regular visits to Bali ( a holiday island) in Indonesia!

I do not normally watch such games (even the Olympics, or the World Cup soccer matches) with such devotion as I did these games. The reason is simple. I was able to see my 'people' on a daily basis on TV. Firstly our Sikh prime minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh and his wife were prominent as spectators in a number of events. There were Sikh 'bigshots' of India - politicians I suspect, and also high ranking officials, dishing out some of the medals; Sikhs being interviewed on the streets of Delhi and, Sikh sportspeople. There were also a large number of Sikh officials officiating at some of the games. There were Sikh boys and girls as ballboys/girls at the tennis. Last but not least, a large number of Sikhs with resplendent 'dastaars' (turbans) in the spectators in almost all the venues. It was a delight playing 'spot the Singh'!

I was especially moved to see three 'keshadhari' Sikh hockey players playing as regulars in the Indian hockey squad. After beating Pakistan before a capacity crowd in a very thrilling 7-4 match, in which all three featured in the goal-scoring, they were interviewed by our press. They held themselves with great dignity and spoke very well about their game and Indian relationships with Pakistan. I had tears in my eyes! The Indian team went on to beat the 'Poms' (Aussie term for the English) on penalties after extra-time in the semi-final. Unfortunately, as mentioned in the beginning, they came up against a devastingly superb Australian side in the finals.

As an ageing Sikh, I am always on the lookout for role models for our youth. In recent years we have had Harbhajan (Indian cricketer) and of course our grand master - (almost) 100 year old Fauja Singh who is still running marathons! We also have Monty Panesar who is back in the England cricket squad to tour Australia for the 'Ashes' series' next year. And now, we have these three jawans in the Indian hockey side.

must also make mention here that as everyone knows, there has been a flood of Indian students into my hometown - Melbourne - over the last four odd years, sometimes at the rate of 4000 landing here in a month!!! Almost all of the 'Sikh' 'students' used to be cleanshaven. I have noticed, especially over the last six odd months, more and more of them are now keshadhari. To an oldie like me, that of course comes as a pleasant surprise! It is a pleasure to greet and be greeted with a full Guru Fateh or at least a 'Sat Sri Akal' by a smiling keshadhari Sikh youngster.

Back to the 'Games'. Delhi... take a bow! I thank you for the 'games' and giving me personally a great two weeks. I know

Delhi-ites have been severely inconvenienced by the games with bigger traffic jams, road blockages etc. but they will all have to agree that it was worth it. The extra infrastructure and new sports and accommodation buildings are, I am sure a vast improvement for Delhi. Maybe the beggars can now be housed in the newly built Athletes' Village? One can hope!

Now, back to that hockey match. On the one hand, I always cheer on any Australian side in any game, but I was in two minds seeing three 'keshadhari' Sikh youngsters in the Indian side! Then seeing a 16,000 Indian mob cheering its side on and booing the Aussies, the national pride took over. The 'Indians' only had 15 minutes of 'national glory' before the goals rained. As each goal tore into their hearts, the stands went silent and then spectators began to leave in disgust as they saw their side crumble. The three Sikh jawans fought on gallantly and took their defeat with grace even shaking the hands of the victorious Australian side at the end. One day I shall also find out their names.

Meanwhile I have some happy memories of a great friendly games. And of course there was plenty of 'bhangra' at the opening and closing ceremonies! Seventy one nations took part and I am sure they will all now remember Delhi. As for Aussies - more of them know a little more about India and Indians ... and Delhi. India and Indians are now being seen in a favourable light by one-the-street Aussies.

I have always dreaded to go to India for obvious reasons. I have difficulty with the fact that I have to always 'fight' my way out of the airport being hassled by taxi drivers, hence having to be rude; the persistent beggars and the general feeling that everyone around you or approaching you is going to con you. Maybe I need to rid myself of this phobia. It ain't bad going to India if the Commonwealth Games is any indication to go by. I can also hold myself out as a proud Australian Sikh.

Now my only wish is that our beloved Prime Minister, who has done so well for India for the last six years and raised the profile of Sikhs worldwide by just 'being', allow himself to see to some pressing 'Sikh' issues like rising suicides in Punjabi farmers; the alarming drug problem in the Punjab; the dastaar problem in France and other European countries. Why has he not, for example, mentioned the dastaar problem to the French politicians he meets so often? We all love him, I am sure, but will he do at least one thing for the Sikhs?

Yes, I yearn to go to Delhi now !!! WELL DONE INDIA !!!

Cheerio!

Dya Singh (Sunday 18th.October 2010)

PS. A number of friends have gently reminded me that India is thrashing Australia in cricket as we speak, in India! That's OK, we shall sort them out when they get here! (LOL!)

A good friend from UK has informed me of the names of the three keshadhari Sikhs in the Indian hockey squad and who featured so prominently.

Captain - Rajpal Singh (open beard)
With white Patca - Sandeep Singh
Full back - Sardar Singh
Midfielder Sarwanjit Singh

The 'quom's (Sikh international nation) ashirvaadh (blessings) on these Sikh youngsters.

--
Dya Singh