Two events.

Two events have taken place back to back.

First , the verdict on Ayodhya.. On hearing it my throat constricted and my eyes welled up .

Second is the opening ceremony of CWG games.It was an overdose of colour and chaos.The centre piece a bloated sci -fi type space craft like ,balloon scarcely justifies its soaring price tag.

Was the showcasing of mechanics and push cart vendors ,to do a one up on international reporting' that we are no longer a country of snake charmers but are in the next leg of development?In metro's like Chennai the 'puncture wallaha's' have become extinct, though.

An highlight was the spontaneous ,rousing cheer accorded to Abdul Kalam by all the spectators.

The most touching moment was the simple drawing of Bapu and the soulful rendition of Vaishnava janato.

The dancers were a delight, so were the percussionists as well as the complicated yogasans displayed.

I would have preferred the games being inaugurated with the peace mantra from Katho upanishad

' OmSahana bhavantu. SuhanaoBhunaktu'

Sahaveeryam karvaa vahai'

Tejaswee naava dheeta maslu ma vidvishaa vahai

Om shanti, shanti , shanti.

May he protect and nourish us. May we excel in all fields.Let us not argue with each other.

Peace , peace , peace!