Former Olympian favours 'mile sur...' type theme song for Commonwealth Games

In view of the controversy about the forthcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG) in the country, a former Olympian has strongly favoured that the Games theme song should be alike the popular song “Mile sur mera tumhara” of late 1980s.

The multi-lingual unity song composed by Ashok Patki and lyricist Piyush Pandey was developed by Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad and promoted by Doordarshan in 1988 was not only popular but also generated patriotism among the Indians, felt Harbhajan Singh, who was the first Indian to have the distinction of representing the country in two sport disciplines (Basketball and Handball) at International meets including the 1980 Moscow Olympic games in Basketball.

"The Commonwealth Games theme song on the line of song
“Mile sur mera tumhara” will certainly serve our purpose as the patriotic song has the strength to generate the feeling of being Indian particularly when the CWG was already mired in controversy over financial irregularities and delay in meeting the deadline for development of infrastructure", Singh, who is also the secretary of Jharkhand Basketball Association and general secretary of East Singhbhum Olympic Association said. 

The song had involved people from all walks of life including singers, sportspersons, intellectuals, musicians and the impact was marvelous, Singh told PTI.

Attributing lack of patriotism among the Indian for the prevailing corruption in all spheres of life, Singh said it was absolutely wrong to single out “sports” alone for the prevailing corrupt practices.

"Corruption has penetrated in all spheres of life and the prevailing controversy over the CWG should not hamper the progress of the international meet any way", he said while advising the sportspersons not to get involved in such controversies and concentrate on the forthcoming games.

Exuding confidence that the CWG will be held in time and will be a grand success, Singh said "we should avoid highlighting the negative aspects of the ongoing preparations.

Referring to waterlogging and dilapidated road conditions, he said " waterlogging was nothing new in our metropolis including Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi and it has become an annual phenomena.

" Who are responsible for it"? he asked while accusing the illegal encroachments and construction of building even over the drainage systems."

The dilapidated road conditions was natural when the construction work was on, he said suggesting the countrymen in general and the residents of Delhi in particular to support the CWG organizers whole-heartedly to make it a grand success, leaving aside the controversies.

The issues could be dealt with after the games are over. Besides, the Prime minister has already taken steps in this regard and ordered for a probe, the former Olympian said while referring the allegation of financial irregularities over the CWG.

The CWG, he said,  was allotted to India in view of the grand success of the 1982 Asian Games. "Hence, it is our responsibility to ensure that the forthcoming games be held successfully", he said.

Appreciating the world-class infrastructure being developed for the CWG, Singh said the look of the India’s capital will be different following the games and the people of Delhi will be benefited more compared to their fellow countrymen.    

About the apprehensions of meeting the deadline to organise the games, Singh said Indians have a great quality of meeting the deadline and expressed confidence that the infrastructure will be in place in time.

Referring to India’s medal prospect in the games, a former Tata Steel Official, Singh said the sportspersons will get advantage of the home and the medal tally of the country will improve compared to last edition of the games.

Wrestling, Boxing, Archery, Shooting and Athletics are the medal prospects events for the country, Singh claimed.