India, Aug. 29 -- Every August 29, the country pauses on Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary, hands out its highest sporting honours, and tells itself that talent must be found and looked after. It seems a good day for a parent to say something out loud.

A fortnight ago, from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the thing few leaders say about their own country. There are roughly 40 sports and some 350 events at the Olympic Games, and India does not play or qualify in nearly two-thirds of them. So a talent hunt will now go into every village, every city and every school to find children between five and fifteen, train them properly, and prepare them for the Games of 2036.

It takes honesty to admit that, and he is right abou...