By late evening, it looked like everybody indeed had one: all roads led to the statuesque Nehru Stadium, bang in the heart of the city. This time, traffic moved smoothly and metro trains kept their tryst with timings.
Sadly, the closing ceremony itself did not keep its date with history, or turn out to be another out-of-this-world experience. Sure, it wasn't expected to be as elaborate or extravagant as the opening ceremony; but it was barely pleasing to the eye or soothing to the soul. It was slowed down by ceremonies and formalities and, worse, spiked by long-drawn speeches. The segments too, despite their splendour and magnitude, failed to enthral; many were left with an empty feeling, even if they didn't feel let down.
One final blast in the end, though, uplifted by a stunning laser display and an array of singers, musicians and dancers from Bollywood somewhat made up for the lack of lustre. But it paled in front of the show compiled by Glasgow, hosts of the next Games in 2014.
In less than 30 minutes, they left an impression with their energy, vibrancy and giant props that all but stole the day. Typically, the aerostat, which was the centre of attraction on the opening day, was a distant spectator on Thursday. It had taken its position in the sky well before the show began and it watched the spectacle below, impassively flashing images from the Games gone by.
Almost everyone was there, though, right from Manmohan Singh to Sonia Gandhi, to all the ministers at their command: it was time to bask in the afterglow of a show-that-didn't-go-wrong, you see. Suresh Kalmadi, the man of the moment - however, ironic that may sound - made it a point to thank everybody who could make a difference, rather than those who had already made a difference.
He even thanked Lalit Bhanot; allowing the crowds to break out into derisive laughter one last time.
Well, the Games are over and at least a few people should be given credit: after all, India not only wowed the world with its opening ceremony but also managed to wade through the 12 days without any major mishap. More importantly, it climbed all the way to the Number 2 position on the medals chart, clinching 38 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze.
Terrific Thursday, though, didn't start on a promising note: the hockey team, after dazzling Australia with its stick-work and electric forays, capitulated to a numbing 0-8 defeat; but, by afternoon, the spirits were up again as Saina Nehwal staged a remarkable recovery, staving off even a match point, to win the badminton woman's gold.
Many skeptics, including acerbic sportspersons and writers from England and Australia, went away as converts.
The Sanias and Bindras are not the only heroes anymore, let alone the Sachins and Dravids; India now has a Phogat (two actually, or is it five?), a Poonia and a Narang too. Archers, wrestlers, boxers and runners have proved that we can be a sporting nation, if our boys and girls are given the right platform, if not the right encouragement and incentive.
The people have also demonstrated that they will come forward and support any sport, from anywhere, as long as they are in the mould of winners. Let us not look at reality though, which is just a month away; let us not spoil the party by talking about crouching tigers and hidden dragons and Asian Games already.
If the opening ceremony was all about unity in diversity, the closing ceremony was all about power. The power in India's culture, in its armed forces, in its future and in its ability to innovate and entertain too.
TOI
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