Arun Nehru

Mar 31, 2010

Arun Nehru
Chairman, Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd
Mumbai

Guilty of games

India broke all records by winning 38 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze medals in the Commonwealth Games and taking the tally to its best ever with 101 medals. We had issues before the Commonwealth Games started but I think we have to reflect on several aspects before any punitive action is initiated. While we all can dwell on the negatives, I think it is time to also reflect on the positives.

Power of criticism

The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games was a success. It must have surprised many who had witnessed a disaster situation at the Games Village. One cannot blame the media here or abroad for the negative publicity as one cannot afford to deny the facts concerning poor preparations for the Games. I cannot believe that those in authority were oblivious to the deplorable condition of the Games Village.

After CWG, let the headman’s axe swing

The Commonwealth Games 2010 issue continues but hopefully, by the time this article appears, “all will be well”. I think we need to reflect constructively on the lessons from the Games. Politically, it would be immature to react to certain negative remarks which have little to do with the Games. But no one can deny the fact that the Games Village and the residential accommodation were not built in time and the quality was poor. Besides the builders — the Delhi Development Authority and Emaar MGF —

Common woes

The 2010 Commonwealth Games crisis has pushed several crucial “emergency” situations into the background. Sadly, as a nation, we will be criticised for an event that should have actually gone in our favour and reinforced the India brand. We can build an airport terminal in record time, we now have the Delhi Metro that can compete with the best in the world, and yet we have a manmade disaster in the Games.

Control issues

The situation in the Valley is getting worse but before the all-party delegation reaches Jammu and Kashmir let us be clear of two things: that the street violence over the last few months was generate

Money, mafia, politics

The dates for the Bihar elections have been announced. The future of the state will be determined over a period of one month and six polling days. I must confess that I am all at sea with the complex caste arithmetic in the state but my prediction is that in the state Assembly of 243 members, the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya

A game soiled

Politics took a vacation and criticism of the preparations for Commonwealth Games 2010 took a backseat as the Pakistan cricket team lit our mornings and our TV screens. Seven Pakistani cricketers are being investigated by the Scotland Yard for suspected spot-fixing during the Test against England at Lord’s.

West looks inwards

Assembly elections in Bihar are fast approaching but before we get into election mode let us spend some time looking at global trends. After the general election in the UK, which produced a coalition government, we had elections in Australia where the Labour Party lost ground and it took time for a coalition to surface. In the US, too, we

Vile West wars

The war in Iraq continues and the number of daily casualties increase as suicide bombers target almost anyone assisting the US Army or the government of the day. The recent attack on an Iraqi Army recruitment centre in Baghdad killed about 58 people and wounded 123. I hope some human rights activist is calculating the body count of

Parties must beware the curse of excesses

Independence Day is very special for all of us. As the Tricolour is unfurled from the ramparts of the Red Fort, it is time for all of us to reflect and pay homage to the past, accept the challenges of the present and plan for the future.

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