There may be delays and lapses in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, but External Affairs Minister S M Krishna says the troubled event will be "off to a flying start" when A R Rahman starts singing the welcome song on October 3.
Speaking at the Asia Society in New York, Krishna assured the world community that the Games would be a success and hoped that the athletes will be satisfied with the preparations. "This much I can assure you as an Indian and as a minister of the external affairs of India that on October 3 when (Oscar-winning music composer) A R Rahman starts with his welcome orchestra, I think we will be off to a flying start," Krishna said in response to a volley of questions on the Games.
The Games will be inaugurated on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Krishna also admitted there have been some lapses in a sense. "We did not anticipate that the monsoons will be so prolonged and so heavy and as a result of that the preparations
"This has been said about every international athletic event before it starts...questions are always asked and doubts are always expressed... the ultimate proof is eating of the pudding," Krishna said. "I am going to be back here again next year and then you can put to me this question how well we conducted the Commonwealth Games," the External Affairs Minister said.
