India's inaugural F1 race: Speeding past the poor

Lost on villagers

India will hold its first Grand Prix this weekend - a glitzy coming-out party for an emerging economic juggernaut that is lost on villagers like Meera, standing by a fetid pond near the brand new Formula One race track with a child covered in warts.

"What is this Formula One? I learnt only recently that some of our land was acquired for it," said Meera, a mother of four who goes by one name.

The floodlights of the $400 million F1 circuit that can hold 100,000 roaring spectators could be seen in the distance.

Seen by its supporters as an example of how India's private companies can organise complex, hi-tech and global events, the Grand Prix has re-ignited India's perennial questioning of how far the country should go down the globalisation road.

Text: Alistair Scrutton, Reuters

Image: An Indian worker looks on during the unveiling of the Buddh International Circuit.