Take confidence from Beijing

Aug 13, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot like millions, well billions (four of them) around the world, is still in awe of the opening ceremony of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing last week.

It has to be the most spectacular, breathtaking, astounding piece of choreography witnessed by mankind. It has to be the most watched event on television ever.

Four billion! It has to be the only event where so much technology has been used in its choreography. It has to be the only event in which so many artistes participated.

It has to be the only event that has rocketed beyond anything that could have been imagined.

The Chinese delivered. They delivered despite the devastating earthquake which killed some seventy thousand of their countrymen and women a few months ago.

They delivered despite the seemingly unending and unfair criticisms from the west, namely the United States.

They delivered despite the distraction from the situation in Tibet; a situation that some countries, including the United States, have a convenient interest in.

They delivered despite some bombing attacks on parts of their vast nation. They delivered not only because they had to, but to show us that human development and advancement is not only synonymous with North America and parts of Europe.

The Chinese spared no efforts in ensuring that the best show on earth has its genesis in their land. They spared no efforts to ensure that the infrastructure needed for such a mega event was put in place.

They spared no efforts in ensuring that we continue to suffer now, and for a long time, from “jaw-dropping” syndrome whenever we look at the stadiums they built including the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube.

They spared no efforts in ensuring that all other arrangements were put in place for the efficient management of the games.

They spared no efforts in ensuring that national pride was foremost in the minds of the people in the preparation for the games.

The Chinese have invested heavily for the games. They invested in their children whose pride was exuded during their participation in the opening. They invested in their athletes whose dream of representing their country is now a reality.

They invested in their country’s name which will forever be etched in the annals of history and which will be the benchmark to be reached by subsequent hosts of the Olympics. The Chinese are indeed a proud nation.

In Guyana, with nine days away from the opening of the biggest arts festival in the region, the Parrot sees the same sense of pride across the nation; a pride that has transcended ethnic, religious, cultural and political boundaries; a pride that will hastily permeate internally in adulation of our achievement as a host despite the truncated period for preparations; a pride that is a culmination of the celebration of our rich and diverse culture; a pride that will allow us to savour in the sweet homecoming of this brainchild of ours.

In Guyana, we have our detractors who, by their seemingly unpatriotic behaviour, are not hesitant to tarnish the name of our nation.

The expected success of Carifesta X will be a vindication of the efforts invested and will be an indictment on the critics. To the organisers, I say, don’t be distracted.

Stay resolutely on course and take confidence from the Chinese. After all, look what they achieved despite the harping from the cynics. Squawk! Squawk!

Latest News

Take confidence from Beijing

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Ramdheol fifty leads pilots Guyana to 6-wicket win

Berbice thrash Demerara by 82-runs after Fraser...

Guyana Rainforest Rangers to bowl encampment...

A tribute to Milton Robert Pydana aka ‘Golden...

GCB expresses condolence on the passing of former...

Covent Garden Secondary boys on course for Region...

Features/Columnists

In praise of the Almighty Executive Order

Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future

World coming to an end

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Take confidence from Beijing

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]