A Commonwealth Calamity

It's less than two weeks away and the 2010 Commonwealth Games are quickly becoming a major embarrassment for the Indian government.

Poor sanitation, sub-standard buildings, fears over security, widespread corruption, athletes pulling out - just some of the problems the Games organisers are dealing with, and I feel absolutely no sympathy for them. With around 10 days left until the opening ceremony, a footbridge and stadium ceiling have collapsed, senior Commonwealth officials have publicly called the venues "filthy" and an open sewage runs right through the Games Village. I am a proud Indian. But right now, with the world's eyes on India, the state of play in my vibrant and diverse country leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I've heard so much talk over the last decade that this is India's century, that the world's largest democracy is emerging from the darkness, its potential unleashed on the world. And of course this has been true, with vast numbers of people entering the middle class over the last 20 years, development on an unprecedented scale, the rise of entrepreneurialism and the advent of Indian business.

But sadly, when India takes two steps forward, it takes one step back. The drive of the Indian people and its civil society has not been matched by its leaders. Still notorious as one of the most corrupt nations on Earth, simply installing a phone line can involve upto 10 bribes. And the corruption goes right to the top.

So here we are. It's 2010. And this was India's chance to shine, to show the world it's a global power, able to plan and put on a great sporting event, hot on the tails of the 2008 Beijing Olympics (which was a spectacular event I might add). I'm not comparing India and China, because frankly, there is no comparison.

India's Commonwealth Games is costing the country a whopping $6 billion. That is unprecedented in the history of the Games. And in a country like India where labour and services are cheap, the final price tag stinks of corruption at every level.

Officials and contractors have lined their pockets with gold. And it saddens me that the hard working men and women who helped put India on the global map now have to hang their heads in shame at the incompetence and inefficiency of their leaders.

This year's Commonwealth Games, even if India pulls it off, has been tarnished beyond repair. And the biggest loser will be India. It will now be hard for New Delhi to request a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, to host another international event, or to attract the investors necessary to do so.

For far too long Indians have accepted their lot. They're indifferent to the corruption that permeates every aspect of their lives. This has to change. Ordinary people must demand accountability from their leaders. If a lesson is to be learnt and there is a silver lining to the Commonwealth calamity, hopefully this is it.