Age no bar for games volunteers

With the Games underway,volunteers in uniforms are a common sight. They comprise students,teachers,retired officials,professionals and people from a variety of backgrounds. The only thing that probably binds this motley crew together is the desire to make the Games a success. Reminiscing on his experience as a volunteer so far,47-year-old freelance photographer Ravindra Bindra regrets not being a part of the 1982 Asiad. “The Games has enhanced India’s reputation abroad. I think India should even bid for the Olympics.”

Commenting on the volunteer programme,Bindra says he has encountered absolutely no problems until now,and his interaction with student volunteers have made him “feel young again”.

Injecting him with such enthusiasm are probably students like Awani,Pradeep and Shriya. Engineering students from Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology,the three felt the Games was “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and,hence had signed up without any hesitation. “My father is very proud. He tells everyone that I work at JLN,” says a beaming Shriya.

“When people walk up to us and ask us about the Games,it makes us feel empowered,” the three say in unison. Unlike the others,the desire to watch his idols in action persuaded Maxxon,a Mumbaiikar,to volunteer for the Games. A rugby player for the Bombay Gymkhana,Maxxon has taken leave from work. “It helps that my boss is a former rugby player himself. In fact,he is coming to Delhi to officiate in the Games.”

Visitors from foreign nations are full of praise as well. British tourist Kieran Reilly,who has come to Delhi specifically for the Games,says,“The volunteers are all very helpful and polite. They speak good English and provide handy leaflets that have helped immensely. I see them everywhere — stations,street corners,stadiums,even at Chandni Chowk.”

(Reported by EXIMS students Arun Prashanth Subramanian; Priyanka Rathi; Dipankar Ghose and Jerrin Mathew)