Delhi - post the Commonwealth Games

After the 12-day extravaganza that was the Commonwealth Games will come to an end today, do you think Delhi will relapse to its pre-Commonwealth days?

The changes in these last few months have been tremendous - from refurbished roads, lined with shrubs that miraculously appeared out of nowhere at all, to new flyovers, the Metro dotting more stations on its routes, the swanky T3 Terminal, facelifts to erstwhile monuments and areas of social interaction, besides the spruced-up stadiums and markets. Delhi now also boasts of a Delhi Eye, built on the lines of the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer – a state-of-the-art giant wheel that promises a panoramic view of Delhi’s monuments. There is also a palpable change in lathi-wielding policemen, cab and auto rickshaw drivers. I suppose the etiquette and conversation lessons paid off after all.

The opening ceremony – the last word in stunning grandeur, made the world sit up and notice India – only the third developing country to host the Commonwealth Games, after Malaysia and Jamaica. Hell, even the usually stiff-upper-lipped Prince Charles was seen smiling – which speaks a lot of the well-organized show.

However, after that splendid showcase of traditional diversity in a crisp, modern flavour, what remains to be seen now if Delhi will continue to be what it has been in the last few days – polished, cheery, clean, and not aversive to flouting rules.

Or do you think the days of traffic snarls, uncouth paan-stained-teethed traffic cops with bulging bellies, hurling abuses and blows with equal ease, (in)sane driving, surly auto drivers who charge astronomical sums, and littered roads, will be back with a vengeance?

Shera sure wouldn't be grinning at that, I'm guessing...