Crikey says: India’s success is ours, too

Crikey‘s head was on the pillow as the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony exploded (in the best possible way) early this morning. But it all, apparently, went off without a hitch. Indians, finally, are celebrating…

The Australian found a Himalayan boarding school boy, 16-year-old Ishant Shankatawari, who had travelled 10 hours by car from Mussoorie to attend the colourful extravaganza. Ishant, bless him, was jubilant:

“I am filled with patriotic feeling and want to support my country.

“We were not well prepared, but all these things are teaching us to become perfect.

“It’s just 60 years since India’s independence but we are already the seventh largest economy and second largest population. We have survived so many forces against us — Maoists, Pakistan and Punjabi separatists — but we did not give up.”

The Commonwealth Games are, of course, an entirely frivolous affair. Their cost, when so many Indians live in poverty, is downright obscene.

But young Ishant makes a good point: this nation, richer and more populous by the day, is a groggy but awakening giant. The global economy, global security, increasingly, is at its mercy.

We don’t really need these Games to be a success — the Empire and its sporting pursuits can crumble. But the world needs this country to succeed. Desperately.

Let them celebrate.