Travel - International Indian

country’s history, thousands of ecstatic fanspoured into the streets of New Delhi, some ofthem waving signs that said “Sorry,Michael Phelps – you’ll never catchIndia!” and “India leaves MichaelPhelps in the dust.”Kumar also won a bronzemedal at the Beijing Olympics,making him the first Indianto win multiple medals in anindividual event. Indian athletesrecorded several other firsts inLondon: Saina Nehwal becamethe first Indian to win a medal inbadminton, Mary Kom becamethe first Indian woman to wina medal in boxing, and tennisplayers Leander Paes and MaheshBhupathi became the first Indiansto run victory laps after eachother’s loss.“Even those who did not winmedals gave it their best effortand made us proud,” Maken said.“Two of our athletes reached thefinal in discus throw, two of ourboxers came within one victoryof winning a medal, and our fieldhockey team … well, they were ontime for all six matches.”India has now won six medalsin boxing and wrestling in itshistory, and would have won many more,experts believe, if not for Gandhi’s messages ofnonviolence. “When Mary Kom won her medalin boxing, an American friend said to me,‘Gandhi must be rolling in his grave,’” Ibrahimrecalled. “And I said, ‘Well, it’s a good thingthat he was cremated.’”India even did well in a speed event inLondon, with Irfan Kolothum Thodi finishingin the top ten in the 20 km walk. A confidentThodi, who broke the Indian national record,threw out a challenge to Usain Bolt, the fastestman in the world: “You might be able tooutrun me, Usain, but I can out-walk you. Justorganize a walk. Anywhere, any place, I amready for you.”India’s medal winners were promptlyrewarded with cash awards and promotions.Many of the country’s top athletes supportthemselves through government jobs. Kumar,the wrestler, works for Indian Railways, wherehe – appropriately enough – takes care of pins.Kom, a five-time world boxing champion,is a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Sheis occasionally called upon to interrogatesuspects, but they usually confess before theyget to meet her.Sports Minister Maken was in such acelebratory mood after the Olympics thathe even extended warm wishes to MadhuraNagendra, the Olympic female gatecrasherwho walked with the Indian team at theopening ceremony. “We did so well at theLondon Olympics that we have invited her towalk with us again in four years,” he gushed.Melvin Durai is a Manitoba-based writer andhumorist, author of the humorous novel “Bala Takesthe Plunge.” A native of India, he grew up in Zambiaand has lived in North America since the early 1980s.Read his humor blog at http://www.Nshima.comWrite to him at comments@melvindurai.com‘‘Indiahas nowwon sixmedals inboxing andwrestlingin itshistory.Would ithave wonmanymore, asexpertsbelieve,if not forGandhi’smessagesof nonviolence?‘‘The International Indian 61