The second article above shows the GAMES VILLAGE WAS EXCELLENT. The athletes to which BBC spoke only praised it and they loved it.
One should not forget that unprecedented security and no outbreak of dengue helped India a lot. Many countries even canceled their trips to India because of these reasons. Media exaggerated several such issues, however, India came out with flying colors as no incident of these kinds ever happened.
This is how AUSTRALIAN HERALD reported - In the end we all were all love with India - they were gracious hosts - but we never fell for the Games' organising committee.
The closing ceremony was not as dazzling as the opening one, but nevertheless it was good. What made India proud was that it came second in the medals tally. It was also India's highest CWG medal tally since 1934.
The Games showcased India's sporting talent. Something unusual to see as cricket is often the most hyped and loved game in India.
I paste below the pictures of the closing ceremony (source: skyscrapercity and google images)
Everyday, when media continued to expose scandals, corruptions, defects, controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games (even before it started), common man's embarrassment levels reached its zenith. Even till date this is going on. The whole games event proved 2 points - 1) the way the government works hasn't changed although India and the people are progressing ahead 2) India has great sports talent - 101 medals won is the biggest proof.
There were numerous complaints from the athletes. Some of them include - leaking water pipes, cracks in the walls, flooding issues, plumbing problems etc.
Below are the awesome pictures of the opening ceremony. It was definitely mind blowing. The music, the effect, the aerostat, the performance, acoustics, - all were very perfect and wonderful. India that is rich in its heritage and culture was at its best display. Bala and his team who are famous for Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, Vande Mataram and many such wonderful tracks proved their mettle that night.
I dedicate that night to Bansi Kaul (Show Director), Ana Singh(costume designer for "yoga" and "Rhythm of India" segments, Seerat Narindra ("Tree segment"), Ashima Leela (Swagatham song and costume designer for 1150 children) , Viraf Sarkari (managing 7000 artistes from across India and used modern technology and aerostat to showcase the rich heritage of India), Omung Kumar (who designed the way Gandhi sketch came out showing the FATHER OF NATION).
Rehman song was a show stopper, his JAI HO was very good, but not the theme song of CWG. It was badly executed and I am shocked by Rehman's composition.
This brilliant aerostat costing Rs. 80 crore rose to 20 m in height and converted itself into a giant screen on which images were projected throughout. The colors and images changed based on the theme.
A brilliant fireworks display was one of the star attractions. The fireworks started in a circular fashion and went around the entire stadium and then finally into air.
The giant display of Buddha that came out from the bottom of the stage showed the "Padmasana" pose and the 7 chakras.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW: ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ON THE NIGHT
All forms of Indian dance one after the other - Bharatnatyan, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri and Mohiniattam were performed with great artistes.
It is this wonderful team who gave a real positive feeling at the beginning of the games amidst all the dirty politics that tarnished India's image.
The crappy thing was how Doordarshan was the only one who got broadcast rights. The commentary was totally out of sync with the brilliant performance. This is how the foreign media (Australia and UK) reported the opening ceremony:
