The Hindu : Sport : ‘Commonwealth Games on schedule’

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Monday, Mar 09, 2009
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‘Commonwealth Games on schedule’

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Delhi Lt. Governor Tejendra Khanna (right) with Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Secretary General Lalit Bhanot at the unveiling of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

NEW DELHI: Setting aside security concerns, Lt. Governor of Delhi, Tejendra Khanna, on Sunday assured that the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be hosted on schedule.

With an obvious reference to the recent terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Khanna said the security would be tight during the Games and “no visitor would have to feel apprehensive about his life and security.”

“There should not be any doubt about security. The policing will be tight during the Games and I can assure you a peaceful and secure Commonwealth Games,” said Khanna after unveiling the Queen’s baton amidst fanfare at the India Gate lawns here.

Khanna said the visitors coming to India for the Games would take back only good memories from Delhi.

The function, put up at a cost of around Rs 1.5 crore, was spectacular with an amalgamation of Indian and Western cultures. The 10,000 holiday crowd was left mesmerised when performers of Toll Theatre from London enacting “Flying Angels” descended on the stage to hand over the Queen’s baton to ‘Shera’ — the mascot of the Games.

The baton has been specially designed to reflect the diversity of India.

It contains a device to track its movement, an inbuilt camera, SMS facility, LED lights which can illuminate flags of Commonwealth countries and a gold leaf on which the Queen’s message will be inscribed.

Baton relay

The baton relay will start from the Buckingham Palace, London, in November this year.

Altogether 200 artistes from across the country performed cultural programmes on the occasion, which became all the more electrifying because of the laser shows and fireworks.

Among those present were Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Organising Committee Secretary General Lalit Bhanot and Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra.

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