Commonwealth Games kick off amidst much fanfare

THE COMMONWEALTH Games kicked off on Sunday amidst much fanfare with Prince Charles and President Pratibha Patil declaring the games open at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.

The games got off to a colourful start with millions of people watching the opening ceremony across the globe. Indian traditional music, dance and culture formed the chief attraction of the opening ceremony, which witnessed top leaders and politicians of the country attending the event.

The programme commenced with Indian national anthem, which was followed by Rhythm of India, an electrifying opening act.

A major attraction was Helium Aerostat which was the centre of attraction of the event. Hundreds of drummer filled the air with captivating music, who were followed by schoolchildren singing Su Swagatam to welcome the games visitors.

The school children also formed a namaste in the stadium ground and displayed rhythmic movements. After the welcome ceremony was over, athletes from  participating countries marched into the stadium.

To ensure that no untoward incident takes place, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was turned into a fortress with thousands of security personnel fanned in and around the venue to ensure that opening ceremony of the 19^th Commonwealth Games goes off without a hitch.

There were numerous check points on way to the stadium with gun-toting police men manning the nakas. Vehicles were kept away from the stadium to negate any threat to the thousands of spectators and VVIPs at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.