An Unpleasant Experience at Thyagaraja Stadium Delhi

Yesterday, I was at the Thyagaraja Indoor Stadium for the 8th Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025 ceremony, at which the former Project Director of Agni-IV, Dr Tessy Thomas, was honoured. It was a well-disciplined gathering at the event held in Delhi, featuring speeches, award presentations, and spiritual songs.

Seats were arranged in the arena in front of the stage, while I sat in the pavilion with a wooden floor along with friends and family. When we all stood up two or three times in unison—for the prayer song and to welcome the dignitaries—the wooden floor in our row began to shake. It happened repeatedly, and I did not feel comfortable remaining there for long.

Women are creators, not destroyers.

These days, we often hear news of accidents in stadiums, including the recent tragedy in which a young sportsman lost his life when a basketball pole collapsed during practice. This incident was on my mind, even though the organisers insisted there was nothing to worry about.

After all, what could they do? The programme had already begun. Any movement from the audience in the pavilion at that point would have created unnecessary commotion. So we decided to stay calm and continue attending the function. Even so, I found myself searching for a helpline number for the Thyagaraja Stadium to express my concern. I also looked around for stadium staff who could be alerted and provide me a reassuring response.

“there are thousands and thousands of cables running across with connectivity

This is not my first time in a pavilion; I have visited the Thyagaraja Stadium many times. But this shaky experience was unlike anything I had encountered earlier. The constant trembling was genuinely unsettling.

I even wondered what would happen during a sports event or musical performance—situations in which the public would be actively standing, moving, and cheering. What would the condition of the pavilion be then?

Those seated next to us put on a brave face, while some in front laughed and mocked us as though it were a joke. But I am certain the floor was shaking.

We were all mentored by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam …. whose scientific brilliance and love for our nation shaped our work and our lives. He reminded us that dreams result in thoughts, and thoughts result in action.

The authorities must investigate and determine why the floor trembled whenever people stood up. Perhaps the issue is minor, but it still warrants a thorough inspection of the indoor pavilion. The Chief Guest, Wajahat Habibullah—who presented the award to Dr Tessy Thomas and was India’s first Chief Information Commissioner—said, “Women are creators, not destroyers.” I hope this makes it clear that, as a woman, I want to point out a flaw—not tear down a construction.

Overall, the Thyagaraja Stadium looked impressive, with all its facilities and running tracks. Dr Thomas spoke about how even the smallest cables matter when building a missile. Ironically, while she was speaking, I was more concerned about the floor beneath us shaking. People like her build missiles indigenously and launch them successfully, yet their efforts often go unnoticed because we are distracted by more basic worries—like whether the floors beneath us are safe enough to stand on.

on the Moon, our Indian flag is flying.

When the government announces that the economy is on the right path to growth, we ordinary plebeians struggle to pay our EMIs—the modern term for “making both ends meet.” How then are we expected to absorb the happy news of the economy flying high?

We have immense talent in this country—people capable of ensuring that every cable functions perfectly and every launch is flawless, whether we are manufacturing a safety pin or a ballistic missile. Dr Tessy Thomas mentioned that “there are thousands and thousands of cables running across with connectivity” in each launch, and that scientists play a crucial role in ensuring everything is safe for a successful mission.

What we need are more people like Dr Tessy Thomas, who is known for meticulously following up with every team member to ensure the job gets done. And we need the government to invest more in innovation—even in something as simple as improving the design of a safety pin—because safety matters everywhere.

The technology was not known to us. No technology will be provided for this class of systems. We had to develop the technology within the country and indigenously.

When the government says that everything is safe and that we are on the right path of development, citizens often still do not feel the firm ground of a trajectory that will improve their everyday lives. Dr Tessy Thomas and her colleagues were inducted into the missile project by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Dr Tessy Thomas mentioned that thirty years ago, the country did not have the scientific capability to be self-reliant. “We were all mentored by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,” she said, “whose scientific brilliance and love for our nation shaped our work and our lives. He reminded us that dreams result in thoughts, and thoughts result in action.” And now, because of the passion and dedication of scientists like her, “on the Moon, our Indian flag is flying.”

So what is stopping our country from exhibiting excellence in innovation and execution across all fields, just as we do in space? Why can’t we nurture achievers like Dr Tessy Thomas in every sector, guided by mentors like Dr. Kalam? As she said, “The technology was not known to us. No technology will be provided for this class of systems. We had to develop the technology within the country and indigenously.” Her message was clear: convert challenges into opportunities and work with dedication.

Just as we have porter services, Blinkit, and other delivery systems employing young people, why can’t the government appoint young workers for maintenance at every public space? Such a system could help young people earn an income, ensure better upkeep of infrastructure, and allow the public to focus on progress rather than damage.

Every time the floor shook, I felt compelled to write this article. I couldn’t concentrate on the function. I wasn’t sure if the seating was safe. And I certainly didn’t want to become the news item of the day. Finally, I climbed a few steps to a firmer, cemented floor and watched the event from there—with a calmer mind and a bird’s-eye view—as the Agni Putri, the missile woman of India, was conferred the Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios Award for her exceptional contributions to women’s empowerment and to advancements in space and missile technology.