India welcomes Queen's Baton

Covering more than 1,70,000 kms and 70 nations, the Queen's Baton for the 2010 Commonwealth Games arrived in India from Pakistan through the Wagah Border on Friday, June 25.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, leading sports personalities and other dignitaries including Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal were in attendance at the border outpost as the Baton was handed over by Pakistan's Olympic Association officials led by Lt. Gen Arif Hassan.

The Baton will now travel through 28 states and seven union territories before finally reaching New Delhi on September 30, three days before the mega-event.

The day also marks the countdown for the 19th Commonwealth Games (CWG) in New Delhi, which is just 100 days away.

Security arrangements had been thoroughly prepared prior to the event because of the involvement of eminent political figures.

"It's a great day for sports in India. The Baton has gone 1,70,000 kms all around the Commonwealth. We have received it in a very big manner," Kalmadi said after passing the Baton to a host of dignitaries including Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper and Olympic bronze medalist boxer Vijender Singh(Seen with the Baton).

"It's a big day for India and Pakistan. It is because of Pakistan's efforts that India got the Games and it shows that our relationship with Pakistan will improve if we concentrate on the sporting angle," added Kalmadi.

Allaying fears about India's preparedness in hosting the Games, Kalmadi said, “Let me tell you that everything is in place, including the infrastructure. Everything is on track.”

Amidst the sound of traditional folk dance and music, the Wagah border wore a festive look as the Baton crossed over from Pakistan. Sufi singers Wadali brothers and popular singer, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, performed at the ceremony to mark its arrival.

After the colourful ceremony, the Baton, on its 100-day tour in India, will be taken through most states, covering 20,000 km.

The Baton has the ability to capture images and sound as it travels throughout the nations of the Commonwealth. With Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, the Baton can be tracked through exact location. Embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) will change into colours of a country's flag while the Baton travels in that country.

The Queen's Baton Relay was launched by Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace in London on October 29 last year in the presence of President Pratibha Patil at a formal ceremony.

The 2010-CWG is the biggest sporting event being hosted by India after the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi.