October 12, 2010

India Earns Seat on UN Security Council, Nicolas Duncan

Five new members have been voted onto the UN’s Security Council for the next two years; India being one of the countries to earn a one of the non-permanent seats. The other four countries voted in included: Germany, Portugal, South Africa, and Colombia. The five permanent members of the council are China, Russia, France, Britain, and the US. Every year, five of the non-permanent members step down after completing two years, and other countries battle to fill the seats.  Candidates are chosen by region; the main contest in this election was among Western countries. The last time India held a seat on the council was in 1992.  Indian diplomats have been advocating for the spot for the past three years. To obtain a seat, India needed two-thirds of the General Assembly vote. However, it was expected that India would get voted in with little resistance because they were the sole candidate from the Asia region after Kazakhstan withdrew its name earlier this year.  India won with support from 187 of the 192 member states.  The 15-seat Security Council is one of the most important UN instruments. Its main charge is maintaining international peace and security.

October 3, 2010

Commonwealth Games Begin, Nicolas Duncan

October 3^rd marked a historic day in India’s history. After construction delays, concern over health and safety, and corruption scandals the opening ceremony to the Commonwealth Games kick started the largest sporting event ever to be hosted in India.  No more worries as to how many countries and athletes would withdraw due to safety and health concerns that plagued the news for weeks preceding the event; all 71 commonwealth nations attended. The stadium Nehru, filled with 60,000 people, watched while 7,000 performers, most of them school children, put on a spectacle that included light shows, music, and dancing; all of which combined to help depict the 5,000 year old cultural history of India. A giant helium balloon floated in the center of the stadium that displayed lights and motion pictures to aid in the spectacle.  However, all those attending were not there for entertainment. Estimates of 100,000 police and paramilitary with aid from fighter aircrafts and helicopter gunships have been deployed to counter the danger of attacks by extremists and to help keep athletes, tourists, and all those involved in the games, safe from any potential danger. The sporting events will begin with swimming on Monday.

September 24, 2010

Commonwealth Games a Week Away, Nicolas Duncan

The Commonwealth Games are a just a week and a half away from the opening ceremonies and concern over whether or not deadlines will be made have been heightened even more. This is a list of what’s gone wrong in the recent weeks:

1.    Athletes' village - Indian media report only 18 of 34 towers are completed

2.    Yamuna River - flooded in the worst monsoon rain for 30 years, leaving pools attracting mosquitoes

3.    Nehru Stadium - part of false ceiling collapsed in weightlifting area

4.    Bridge leading to the Nehru Stadium - collapsed on Tuesday

5.    Jama Masjid Mosque - two tourists injured in shooting near mosque, Indian Mujahideen threatens more attacks

6.    Shivaji Stadium - no longer to be used as a venue because it was not going to be ready in time

7.    Yamuna Sports Complex - roof damaged by heavy rain in July

India’s athletes have moved into the athletes’ village. England is the first overseas team to arrive in New Delhi however, four cyclists have already withdrawn from the games. A few of the countries that have given their verbal commitment to send their teams are: New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, Canada, and Australia; many more are expected to come despite the heigtened concerns. Noticeable athletes that have withdrawn due to concern over safety issues are Australian world discuss champion Dani Samuels and English world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu. Other athletes are still waiting to make a decision as to whether or not to go based on team officials evaluations of venues.  However, despite all the criticism progress is being made; Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell said in a statement that "considerable improvements" had been made to the athletes' village. He also stated: "It is vital that all remedial work that has already started continues with the greatest urgency." Thus far it has become the most expensive Commonwealth games in history with estimates of up to 10 billion dollars. 

(Athletes' village photos)

In the months preceding the event there had been confusion as to who would open the games. As head of the Commonwealth the queen usually opens the games but the Buckingham Palace stated in May that she was too busy to attend the event this year; the Price of Wales, Prince Charles, will be her representative at the games.  India's ANI news agency quoted unnamed government sources as saying that in this situation it should be the president of India, President Patil, who should inaugurate the event. However, after a statement issued by the Prince of Wales’s office, it was made clear that both would have a vital role in the opening of the games. “The Prince will read out the Queen's baton message, ending by declaring the Games open.‪‪" India media report that President Patil will then say "Let the Games begin".

Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11403204