Big party at Vigyan Bhavan and everybody is invited

There’s a party in town tomorrow. It’s the All-India Sports Congress 2003, at Vigyan Bhavan in Central Delhi, and those likely to ...

There’s a party in town tomorrow. It’s the All-India Sports Congress 2003, at Vigyan Bhavan in Central Delhi, and those likely to attend include officials of the Union sports ministry, state chief ministers, sports ministers and secretaries, and more than 300 winners of the Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Major Dhyan Chand awards.

While total costs are yet to be estimated, the All India Council of Sports (AICS) has drawn Rs 50 lakh for TA/DA and other expenses. And, though it’s unlikely a refund will be sought, the attendance will probably fall short. Several Arjuna awardees have already declined the invitation — some got it late, others are yet to receive it — and it’s possible volunteers will be deployed to make up the numbers.

Those who make it will hear the Prime Minister speak — and, for the duration of his speech, senior members of his Cabinet are likely to be present as well. Vajpayee’s speech, say sources, will include a 10-point plan for the development of sport in the country, one of which will be to make sport part of school curriculum. This will first be tried out in the Navodya Vidyalayas and Central schools, directly funded by the government ministry, before the states are asked to to follow suit (sports is a state subject).

Story continues below this ad

Other speakers — on topics related to implementation of schemes and resource generation — will include CII chairman Ganesh Mahalingam and former BCCI chief IS Bindra.

While the Prime Minister will be honouring the 1951 Asian Games medallists, the real bonanza will be more widespread, covering those who’ve won gold at international meets but have missed out on the Arjuna awards. For them, the government has lined up a package, including railway passes for self and escort, similar to that enjoyed by Arjuna awardees. However, for several veterans the largesse is needed now. The TA/DA local invitees is Rs 250 and one Olympian said, on condition of anonymity: ‘‘If I were to hire a taxi to the venue, it would cost me that much (Rs. 250) one way. When they are talking of honouring sportspersons on the occasion, the least they can do is not to slight us by offering this allowance. But I will go because it gives me an opportunity to meet some old-timers.’’

Bengaluru family feared dead in Kurnool bus fire

Cities3 hr ago

A family of four from Andhra Pradesh, residing in Bengaluru, are suspected to be among the 20 people reported dead in a fire that gutted a Hyderabad-Bengaluru bus near Kurnool in the early hours of Friday.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS