New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) After weeks of finding fault with the organisers, the Indian media Monday lavishly praised the inaugural ceremony of the Oct 3-14 sporting extravaganza here a day earlier.
Screaming headlines in national newspapers captured the popular mood after the glitch-free three-hour colourful function helped ease some of the shame caused by earlier complaints of shoddy construction and poor hygiene at the Games Village.
‘A Great Indian Start to Games’, said The Indian Express. ‘Finally, Delhi Dazzles’, read the Times of India banner. The Tribune reported: ‘Delhi Rises to India’s Glory’.
Even The Economic Times, which normally does not cover sports, reported on the front page that the ‘Games Start With a Bang’ — and promptly linked the opening ceremony to the soaring Sensex.
The Pioneer had this to say: ‘Delhi showcases Brand India’.
‘It is now for the world to enjoy the sporting events as they unfold and for India to draw a measure of pride for hosting it,’ the Tribune said in an editorial titled ‘Let’s Celebrate the Games’.
Saying ‘Delhi delivers, the Games are on’, the lead editorial in The Hindu praised ‘the extravagant opening ceremony that showcased India’s rich and pluralistic culture’.
‘In the end, it turned out like a perfect Indian wedding,’ said the Times of India in a front-page report, accompanied by pictures of dazzling fireworks that amazed everyone, Indians and foreigners alike.
‘With a grand opening ceremony that saw as many as 7,000-plus performers kickstart the biggest sporting fiesta in India in three decades, the focus has now shifted to the athletes,’ the paper said in its editorial.
The Express reported: ‘Sweeping aside the debris of controversies, the 19th Commonwealth Games kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony.’
Over 6,000 artistes of all age groups put up a remarkable display of Indian culture, art and music, ending with the foot-tapping theme song by A.R. Rahman.
The Times of India said the Games’ biggest legacy should be to create a vibrant sporting culture in the country.
A lot remains to be done in the next 10 days of the event, the Hindu said. ‘This alone can advance India’s cause if the world’s second most populous nation hopes to bid for the Olympic Games in the conceivable future.’
The Tribune, however, said there was a need for serious introspection after the Games and tough action against those responsible for the massive organisational glitches and shoddy workmanship.