The inaugural F1 tournament in India seems to have gone off very well and everyone is singing the praises of the Noida authorities, the wonderful organizers and marveling at the incredible amount of parking space at the circuit. In contrast, Gurgaon has to live down the fiasco of the cancelled Metallica concert. While Noida is blithely cruising at 360 kmph, Gurgaon seems to be chugging back to the middle ages with bottle throwing, bench breaking and other barbaric activities. As a patriotic Gurgaonite, I think we should claim our place on the world stage by organizing some world class sporting events. Gurgaon already possess abundant resources and has several natural advantages that we can tap into. This way, we can save the tax payers money and put the local talent to good use as well.
Even those who have not read Hemingway or been to Spain would have now heard of the famous Pamplona Bull Run, thanks to the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Gurgaon should host the Haryana Buffalo Run. Every village in the district boasts of prime specimens of the species and Gurgaon has the topography to organize the event to make it even more exciting for the participants. All we need to do is let loose a herd of hardy Haryanvi buffaloes to thunder down the narrow by lanes of Chakarpur village and watch as the buffalo soldiers scatter and dash in panic. Whoever claims that a humble buffalo is no match for a bull has not encountered a disgruntled one in the middle of a typical Gurgaon traffic jam.
We can also make a pitch to hold the next World Athletic Steeplechase championships. The main attractions of the Steeplechase are the 38 barriers and the water jumps. Instead of having it in a boring stadium with the same monotonous rounds, the Great Gurgaon Steeplechase can be held on any stretch of an average 3000m road. During monsoons, the potholes will automatically become water jumps. The police barriers, great iron rods from construction sites and heaps of cement bags will act as natural hurdles. For the advanced athletes, there can be piles of malba and garbage in strategic locations interspersed with unnecessary speed breakers. Maybe we can start the first Steeplechase Marathon allowing the athletes to trace their path from Sohna Road to Sadar Bazaar. Those who fall by the wayside will be reenergized with fortified Buffalo milk.
Gurgaon may not have butter smooth roads to hold the Formula 1 races, but we have even better off the beaten track routes that will test the hardiest off roading driver. From the Aravalli Hills to the mustard fields off Sector 58, around the Damdama lake, across the dust bowls of Badshahpur and the large swampy wastes of new construction sites, Gurgaon has all kinds of terrains. Since the daily commute to work for the average Gurgaonite is similar to an off roading experience, the event will generate great enthusiasm and participation from the local community which is so important for the success of any event. For those who don’t have the right kind of four wheel drive or a racing bike, a friendly neighborhood mechanic will do some jugaad to spruce up the vehicle in no time at all. Forget F1, gear up for the Great Escape to Gurgaon.
By organizing these events with very little additional infrastructure and monetary investment, I am sure Gurgaon can salvage its reputation, make some money and get back on the world map.
Nirupama Subramanian is a long time Gurgaon resident and the author of the best selling novel, Keep The Change.
