I am rather going to confine myself to the opening ceremony, which I happened to browse while waiting to see how my favourite English football club, Liverpool, got run all over by the BPL minnows, Blackpool. Anyway, I have no intention or patience to stay glued to the TV to keep track of the medal tally and so forth.
Despite the rather dismal pre-opening ceremony reviews that the press around the world gave, India managed to stage an impressive and extravagant showcase of its culture to the rest of 'civilised' world with no glaring faux pas!
One cannot help but compare this performance to that of another giant who had also just awakened from a long slumber, China, at the Beijing Olympics 2008. Without a shadow of a doubt, in my humble opinion, Delhi 2010 (opening) was a pale comparison to that. Beijing set the gold standards in how any major event should be organised. With brilliantly choreographed and mind-boggling props and colour camouflaging, the Chinese managed to depict and narrate their entire civilisation and achievements without words. Every participant in the ceremony played their part exceptionally well to tell the world, "Watch out world, here we come!"
We have been informed that the Indian authorities have taken numerous steps to ensure adequate security and to sanitise Delhi and its surroundings. At best for them... For those who missed the Commonwealth 2010 opening ceremony, here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRgjWufabjY (Delhi 2010)
And those who want to view the Beijing Olympics opening again...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_M23M6xyYg (Beijing 2008)
For those who want to know what these two civilisations have contributed to the world at large... Be amazed!
