The host of the Australian TV station, with reddened eyes, said: "Our children ca here to compete, not to die! And certainly not to be humiliated in hospital beds! Pri Minister Gujral, where are you? Is your 'Indian mont' paved with the corpses and tears of our young people?!"
On social dia, hashtags like #IndianMassacre, #EscapeDelhi, and #CommonwealthTragedy went viral at an alarming speed. Videos of the xican Olympics opening ceremony and Victor's speech were revisited in comparison—one side showed order, technology, and a confident declaration of the future; the other, chaos, death, and the absurdity of hellish cris. The contrast was cruel and vivid.
The platform at Nehru Stadium has now beco the center of the storm.
Pri Minister Gujral had already been urgently escorted away, reportedly experiencing a spike in blood pressure and mild stroke symptoms. Left behind were ministers and officials looking ashen-faced, facing a barrage of cara lenses and journalists' angry questions.
"Minister! What is the actual death toll? Why hold a swimming competition in the Yamuna River knowing there were water quality issues?"
"What progress has the police made on the tire theft and sexual assault cases? The hospital security is inadequate; who is accountable?"
"Will the Pri Minister resign over this? Is the Indian Governnt considering canceling the remaining events?"
Questions bombarded like hail.
Indian Minister of Information Rajiv Sharma wiped the sweat from his forehead, striving to remain calm: "This is a... heartbreaking accident. The water quality of the Yamuna River has been rigorously treated to international standards... As for the isolated unfortunate incidents and cris, we will investigate them seriously... The spirit of the Gas is unity, and we appeal to everyone..."
"To hell with unity!"
A Canadian journalist couldn't help but curse, "My colleague just counted that over two hundred athletes were hospitalized due to food poisoning! Is your 'international standard' to be damned?"
The scene was almost out of control.
And amid the globally broadcast chaos, an even more embarrassing incident occurred.
On the giant screen of the stadium, an Indian scenery promotional video was initially being played, when suddenly the signal flickered and switched to an international news channel. On the screen was the "Phoenix Nest" stadium in xico City, where a wonderful athletics event was taking place, with a fully packed audience, orderly, with the cheers echoing through the sound system and filling the silent Nehru Stadium.
Soon after, the footage switched to London—where the large-scale "English Congress" gathering was ongoing, but the crowd was more orderly, even organizing mobile libraries and free food distribution points. The placards read "Learn from xico for the future, learn from India for lessons: We must change!"
Finally, the footage froze in Edinburgh, Scotland, where McTavish was giving a speech at a temporary parliant, a brand new Scottish Autonomous Kingdom flag behind him.
His words were simultaneously translated: "...So try to conceal decay with grand events and lies, but the truth will surface like the corpses in the Ganges. The Scottish people have chosen a path of practicality and cleanliness, and we are confident in this..."
"Turn it off! Turn it off now!" shouted an Indian official, exasperated.
But the technical staff, flustered, only made the sound louder. McTavish's phrase "corpses in the Ganges" echoed piercingly in the vast stadium.
This technical glitch was the last straw. Many representatives and athletes from other countries present quietly got up and left. Their faces showed anger, sadness, and a hint of complete mistrust.
The Australian and New Zealand delegations announced they would imdiately withdraw from this Commonwealth Gas and demanded the Indian governnt provide a safe passage to evacuate all personnel quickly. Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and other countries quickly followed suit.
An international sports event that was supposed to showcase India's glory collapsed in such a tragic, absurd, and disgraceful manner within just a few days of its opening.
On the streets of Delhi, the sound of sirens was more mournful, not for rescue, but to control the larger-scale protests erupting again due to the scandal exposure. People held signs reading "Governnt Incompetence", "Return My Taxes", "Disgrace", and clashed with the police. The city descended into new chaos.
anwhile, in xico City, Victor, in his private room at the "Feathered Serpent Temple", watched the live broadcast of India's utter disaster, gently swirling the wine in his glass.
"You see,"
he said to Bramo and Casare beside him, in a tone as calm as comnting on the weather, "so countries, even when given the chance, are of no use. Their hardware and software are rotten to the core, yet they still like to dream."
Casare laughed heartily: "Boss, I don't think they're dreaming, it's a collective food poisoning hallucination! Ganges Ironman... they actually ca up with that! Those athletes are damn unlucky, more unfortunate than the Ah San sailors hit by our missiles!"
Bramo, however, was calmly recording: "Global public opinion has completely shifted. India's international reputation is bankrupt, and the Gujral governnt is on the countdown to collapse. The Commonwealth system itself is also severely damaged, and many mber states are re-evaluating its value. Our 'friends' in Europe just sent an encrypted ssage that their last illusion about the 'Indian model' has shattered, and they are more eager to advance cooperation with us."
Victor nodded, his gaze profound: "Notify the Foreign Ministry to issue a brief humanitarian statent, expressing deep condolences and concern over the 'tragedy during the Indian Commonwealth Gas', and willingness to provide 'necessary dical and technical assistance'. Rember, the tone should be sincere, and the gesture elevated."
He paused:
"Then have 'Today's xico' TV station produce a special, reviewing our Olympics from preparation to hosting, highlighting our water quality treatnt system, food safety supervision, ergency dical system, and urban managent level. Don't ntion India, not even a letter. Let the audience make the comparison themselves."
"India stepping into civilization will take another three thousand years!"
"By the way, spread this sentence."
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