The Dream Run (Stanchart’s Mumbai Marathon) is akin to a carnival, and the term word ‘run’ is a myth, especially when 20,000 people participate. Trudge is more like it! However, it’s a colourful trudge and a platform for self-expression.
Corporates participate and their fleets imbibe team spirit and bonhomie. Some companies like Jet Airways, designed T-shirts for the run, with somewhat corny yet endearing slogans like, ‘225 runners, one team’ etc.
NGOs also draw attention to their worthy causes. The more colourful, emphatic and creative, the turnout, the better.
The energy and enthusiasm was pretty overwhelming, and there were lots of banners like Kingfisher’s ForceIndia campaign, which encourage a sense of India, being a strong, single, united entity.
However, what was saddening were the reports of how Indian athletes were hosted in sub-standard accommodation, a dormitory of some sort, which looked very shabby in the local and national dailies. Just goes to show that we Indians are still subservient to foreigners, and do not consider ourselves and our countrymen as equal. I experienced a similar prejudice a little while back. I met two foreigners and one Indian.
The foreigners were friendly and congenial, the Indian only spoke to them, and asked a polite question or two, when she noticed the attention, I was given by them. Similarly, at a recent media party, some of the foreigners I met, were unpretentious and friendly and the Indian’s were stuck-up (just to me, not out white counterparts).
This is not to say that all foreigners are wonderful and all Indians are stuck-up. But I have noticed that the majority of Indians I have met tend to act very odd, when in the vicinity of foreigners, especially Whites. They will pander to our foreign friends, by hanging on to their every word, and treating them like the cat’s whiskers.
Ask me about it. I have been thinking about it for awhile. Finally we seem to agree on something. Remember, we must talk about this when we meet next.