It was the year 2010.CWG games were to held later in that year so the interviews for selecting the volunteers had started .Officials came to our college for selection .I filled the form for it the very first day they came to campus and got myself clicked the same day itself. Got interviewed for the second time in life .After a few days got the message that I had been selected. After a long time Mann mai laddo foota as it was once in a lifetime opportunity to get associated with something which whole of the country was looking forward to .The joy doubled when got appreciation from parents and acquaintances. Volunteers were then supposed to collect the dress and ID cards for which I was the first person who had reached the collection center. Brand new Reebok dress and shoes specially made for volunteers….was the news flashed the previous day and holding it all in the hand felt really good. Special training had been imparted to all the volunteers regarding the various nuances of dealing with public. Of course we had it in our mind to present our country in the best possible manner and regarding this classes were also held. The training itself was a very enriching experience for the volunteers .We learned about the historical places of India and specifically Delhi .We were trained about how our demeanour should be, what to do during emergency situations and much more . We were provided with the free passes of Metro and DTC buses. Then came the day, 3rd October, the first day of CWG-2010. Opening ceremony, held in Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, was a spectacular show full of colours, music and dance, specially orchestrated by the bests in their fields, which mesmerized the audience to the core. The whole world was spectator to what was termed as the best opening ceremony in India ever. No doubt whole of India felt proud on being the recipient of accolades from all over the world. The images collected from the first day of ceremony flashed for many days in the media of all over the world. I had been assigned the duty at Thyagaraj stadium. Since it was declared holidays for all the offices, it used to be a very comfortable and unusual ride to and from the stadium. Unusual in many ways, the road became visible, calm (no honking),no pot holes, traffic lights worked, signboards were visible & correct, separate lanes for slow moving vehicles, vehicles followed lanes, traffic flow smooth & no incidents of road rage. First day of our duty and I reached there in time.”Hey good to see you. I had been looking forward to meet you” said this person who, I got to know, was to be the manager of the department for the duration of CWG. After introduction he explained the nitty-gritty of the duties we had to perform there. Having met other volunteers at stadium, they became friends with each other in no time. The days we relish most seem to pass by faster, though in actual, it is our inner desire due to which we yearn for happy days to get prolonged. Though CWG have been in controversy for some reasons but the memories etched in my and many others’ memory is very much in good light. Even today, after about three and a half years later, all the memories are fresh and it feels nostalgic every time I get reminded of those days.
“Oh yaaro…… yeh India…. bulaa liya”