Commonwealth Games: Indian reaction

Further doubts have been cast over next month's Delhi Commonwealth Games after two athletes withdrew and others postponed travelling to the event.

Officials from several countries have heavily criticised the facilities, saying they are dirty and incomplete. But Indian authorities have insisted the site will be ready on time.

Here, people in India assess Delhi's preparations for the Games and the effect the controversy over the athletes' village might have on the country's image.

Pooja Kapoor, insurance adviser, Delhi

I sincerely hope the government is able to pull off these Games so that we don't get embarrassed in front of the world.

There has been so much corruption, we know people have made money from the Games and we hope that action is taken against them once the event is over.

It is our money, the taxpayers' money, which has been misused but I'm surprised that people are not raising their voices.

I think if it was a private company organising the Games, they would done a much better job.

Premlal Premkumar, publishing editor, Chennai

I feel ashamed and hugely disappointed.

We can say goodbye to our ambitions to host the Olympic games for some years to come.

I don't blame the government of India, but the officials responsible for organising the games.

The majority of us Indians believe that the team are a bunch of incompetent officials who are at the helm only because of dirty politics that encompasses anything that relates to power and money.

Everyone agrees that the committee has been misusing our money, our tax money.

God willing, everything should fall in its place. We do want the games to start as planned - this is a big deal for us. But sadly, our country's reputation has been damaged.

Asharfilal, autorickshaw driver, Delhi

The whole city is a mess. Even this morning when I set out, the roads were all jammed. I don't think the Games will be successful at all. I don't think they will be able to complete all the cleaning work at the venues before the Games.

After all the reports of collapsing bridges and incomplete stadiums, I don't think many foreigners will come to Delhi now.

But my biggest worry is that if they don't manage to sell enough tickets, then the government will raise taxes to make up for the funding shortfall. And prices of everything will go up. That will be really bad.

Murali Krishna, auditor, Bangalore

I am in the southern part of the country and quite a distance away from Delhi, but this event is very important to us. Everyone is following the news.

I understand that not everything is perfect in Delhi. Every penny spent on such an event needs to be monitored. Of course, the organisers are to blame, but we've had a difficult situation with floods. The whole of South Asia has been affected by them.

Despite all the problems, I am positive about this event. I believe the organisers are doing their best to ensure there are proper facilities in time for the opening.

A sports person must be stronger and tougher than the common man. It takes courage and bravery to perform in conditions that are not ideal. Many tourists visit Delhi every year and are reasonably happy with the capital's hospitality.

I urge athletes to come to India and give it their best to make this event successful.

Reshu Hooda, engineering graduate, Delhi

Today I met some volunteers on the Metro station who asked us if we had bought our tickets for the Games. But just yesterday, we saw a footbridge collapsing in Nehru Stadium. So I'm a little worried.

But the Games have done a few nice things to the city. The Inter State Bus Stand (ISBT) is being white-washed, it's never looked better or cleaner. I just hope it doesn't rain during the Games.

As far as the event is concerned, I think we will do good. I'm sure by the time the guests arrive, it will all be ready and the Games will end well.

Varun Rai, management student, Delhi

It's about athletes, it's about Games, it's about the reputation of India in the world.

I'm not satisfied with the preparations for the Games. Athletes need to be fit for the Games, we need to have clean, proper accommodation for them.

When other countries hold such events, they are ready two to three years ahead of time. We're still not ready and the Games are only 10 days away! Many of the venues are still unfinished.

There is also little information about the sporting event. We don't even know who are the sportspeople who are participating from our country.

Vinay Khongwir, businessman, Shillong

Some 1.3 billion Indians hang our heads in shame. The people in charge of the organising committee have put us in the most horrible position.

What they've done is absolutely disgraceful.

I must thank Mr Bhanot [secretary general of the Delhi organising committee] for eloquently pointing out that we are a country of lazy incompetents who like sleeping in our own faeces.

This is a despicable, outrageous comment. He should resign immediately. Everyone responsible should be discharged.

But even the government - they've been sitting for five years doing nothing. It's a very, very sad situation.

You know, I read the BBC News website article and I try to imagine what people across the world would think about us. When I go abroad, people will think of me as an Indian and they'll instantly remember what happened.

The worst part is that the image of our country has been hurt far more than any allegations of corruption ever could. It's irreversible damage - there's nothing we could do for the next 25 years.

The Games are going to be a complete fiasco, I just want them to be over.

Vinnie Jauhari, institute director, Delhi

Once we have made the decision to hold the Games, we should go ahead and hold them nicely. We should welcome the guests and make the most of it.

It's sad what happened on Tuesday, that the footbridge collapsed and several people were injured. People's safety is paramount. But we should not let those things take away from the enthusiasm of the Games.

The image of India is more important than mudslinging so we should all join hands and ensure good Games.

India is an amazing country - we botch up, but then fix all up at the last moment. So we should go ahead and hold the Games with a smile, rather than a frown.