A Samba performance brought an end to Rio Olympics 2016, but in India, nobody is dancing. The Games have been an unqualified disaster for India in terms of performances across all disciplines. Of course, the two medallists — grappler Sakshi Malik and shuttler PV Sindhu — lifted the nation’s spirits to an extent and there were brave attempts like the one by Dipa Karmarkar. Overall though, India’s outing looked out of sorts on the better days and abysmal on the worst.

We are in danger of going back to the days of simply whiling away our time at the Olympics, not expecting any medal at all — participating as one more country marching in the opening and closing ceremonies and going through the routines in between.