For those who watched it on television in 1982, the opening ceremony in Delhi of the 9th Asian Games, on November 19, 1982 remains an indelible memory for many reasons. This was the second time India was hosting the games, having first enjoyed the honour in 1951 when we were the hosts of the inaugural Asian Games.

1982 was also the year that television broadcasting in India went all colour and to see the Indian contingent in their blazing pink turbans and sarees, and the tricolour in all its glory, was a deeply emotional moment.

There was that huge replica of the much loved games mascot Appu rolling into the Jawahar Lal stadium to uproarious cheers.

In today’s podcast, we relive the medal glory that India achieved at the recently concluded Asian Games in Indonesia, and some factors that may have led to the success we saw. In the process, we will also take a look at India’s presence in the Asian arena over the years.