New Delhi:
Her fans may say she made the Commonwealth Games a spectacular success, her detractors may blame her for not getting Delhi ready on time for the Games, the press may paint her grey for allowing the Games organisers to create all sorts of problems for Delhiites. But Sheila Dikshit is unruffled.
In an interview just before the closing ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games, Dikshit said she is now ready to hoist the Olympics flag in Delhi.
Q. How was the Commonwealth Games experience?
Sheila Dikshit: Initially, for two months before the Games there were doubts and skepticism. It was a difficult time because somehow nobody was convinced that Delhi would be able to pull it through. The whole world was pointing fingers at us. The local press gave us a very hard time too. But all that criticism motivated us to do better. And we have been successful in organising one of the best and biggest Commonwealth Games.
Q. And the Indian athletes made it even better.
Sheila Dikshit: The performance of our athletes exceeded expectations. All the young boys and girls need to be congratulated.
Q. As the chief minister of the host city are you satisfied with the end result?
Sheila Dikshit: Indeed, I am satisfied. Everything happened the way we expected them to happen. There have been no complaints. Everything was perfect. The Opening Ceremony set the tone for an exceptional event, and while the spectator turnout was low initially, it became better.
Q. The skeptics compared the CWG with the IPL and claimed the private players did a better job. What do you have to say?
Sheila Dikshit: I think the work that has been done speaks much more than words. What do you think of the spectacular stadiums that have been built? There was private participation too but I don't think there can be any comparisons.
Q. You have been criticized for allegedly cornering all the credit for the Games.
Sheila Dikshit: There are reports that LG Tejender Khanna had written to the Prime Minister in this regard. Your comments. I am sorry I have nothing to say on this.
Q. There have been allegations of rampant corruption against some of the biggest names in the Organising Committee. Will action be taken?
Sheila Dikshit: There are agencies that will deal with it. The Prime Minster has also stressed that those found guilty will be appropriately punished. You should not forget that we have proper mechanisms in place to deal with such problems. There is CVC, CAG, parliamentary committees and legislative panels to take care of any such charges.
Q. Are we ready for Olympic Games?
Sheila Dikshit: I feel so. We have shown our capacity and capability to hold such big events. Both in terms of scale and participation, the Delhi Games are the biggest. We are confident that we can handle Olympics too.
Q. How did you cope with the tremendous pressure before the Games and during it?
Sheila Dikshit: The incessant rains just a month before the Games had all of us worried. At one point it seemed we might not be able to complete the projects. Fortunately, just five days before the Games, the weather turned friendly and we delivered.
Q. Now that it is over, do you have any holidays lined up?
Sheila Dikshit: No. No. I still have a lot on my plate. I take a break only when I am through with my work.
Q. At an average how many hours have you been putting in for the past few months?
Sheila Dikshit: I do not know. I don't count hours. There was no time left ¦ you have to work till 11 pm and till mid night if need be. I used to take a brief break in the afternoon. You can't anticipate work pressure.
Q. Traffic jams to soaring prices of vegetables, Delhiites had to go through a lot during the Games. What do you have to say to the people of Delhi?
Sheila Dikshit: Well I think, the citizens of Delhi rose to the occasion. They have been disciplined. There have been no complaints. The participation in the cultural events and the sporting events has been good. We have brought in a lot of changes to make Delhi a better city. The Metro network has expanded, the roads have become better, new low-floor buses have come up. I thank every worker and every official who was part of the event.