Heartiest congratulations to the sportspersons who won laurels for India in the recently concluded London Olympics! They richly deserve all the accolades and the avalanche of gifts, rewards, promotions, cash awards running into unbelievable figures for what the glory they have brought to the nation.
It is interesting that state governments and the centre are engaged in a race to outdo one another in their announcements. Even the worst cynics will not grudge the medal winners what they are receiving. I wish the governments should get together and actually reflect on their own contribution to developing sports in the country. If we compare our medals tally with that of China, we will see it as a natural corollary to the apathy and neglect that games and sports are subjected to in the country. It would be in the fitness of things if the government machinery gears itself to improving resources to draw an army of talents from every nook and corner of country and create basic infrastructure facilities supported by inspired coaching and training of international standards to mould these talents into potential medal winners rather than bask in the reflected glory of achievements for which they deserve zero credit. But, I guess, taking credit for something we don't do is far easier than doing things and not getting any credit. -- Nibir
