Attari (Amritsar), June 25 (IANS) The Queen’s baton for the 2010 Commonwealth Games arrived in India from Pakistan Friday amid high security and a festive mood with singers from both the countries performing at the Attari border.
It marked the first big event on Indian soil for the Games to be held in New Delhi in October.
Suresh Kalmadi, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president and chairman of organising committee of Commonwealth Games-2010, other dignitaries and leading sports personalities, including Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, were present when the baton was handed over by Pakistan Olympic Association officials led by Lt. Gen Arif Hassan.
‘It is a great day in the history of sports in India that the Queen’s Baton Relay has arrived here after covering a long distance. The baton is received in a big way here. Both India and Pakistan have celebrated this day in a great manner,’ Kalmadi said to the gathering at the border after receiving the baton here.
He added: ‘It is because of Pakistan’s support that India has got the Commonwealth Games. We are very happy that the baton has been carried from Pakistan to India.’
‘We are very sure that relations with Pakistan will improve from here. I also thank Mike Fennell (chairman of Commonwealth Games federation) for supporting India in the event,’ he added.
The Attari border checkpost, about 30 km from Amritsar in Punjab, wore a colourful and festive look despite tight security arrangements for the baton arrival event. Popular song ‘Chak de, India’ was played at the checkpost since morning to welcome the baton.
Hundreds of people, officials and mediapersons gathered here for the arrival of the baton.
Governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Salman Taseer also accompanied the baton to India and shared the dais with other Indian dignitaries.
‘It is a historical occasion and the baton carries a message of friendship from Pakistan for our brotherly country India,’ said Taseer. He also expressed his happiness by saying ‘Hindustan Zindabad – Pakistan Zindabad’ (Long live India, long live Pakistan).
Famous Indian Sufi singers Wadali brothers and Pakistan-based singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan gave a mesmerising performance. Scores of spectators, especially youngsters, hailed their performance by dancing on their verses.
‘Bhangra’ and ‘gidda’ dancers, performers from Rajasthan and other states, traditional music instruments and security bands added to the festive atmosphere at the border checkpost.
Commonwealth Games mascot Shera also made an impressive appearance. He was the favourite among kids as well as elders who tried to shake hands with him. They even tried to get a photograph clicked with him.
A postage stamp describing ‘Shera’ and the baton was also released.
The baton now begins its journey in India. It has been taken to the Sikh holy city of Amritsar and will remain there till Saturday morning.
From Punjab, it will head to Jammu and Kashmir.
It will travel through most states in India, covering 20,000 km, before reaching New Delhi for the 19th Commonwealth Games Oct 3-14.
By the end of its journey, the baton would have travelled over 190,000 km, through different modes of transport across land, air and sea, in 340 days. This makes the baton relay 2010 one of the longest relays in the history of the Commonwealth Games.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games are the biggest sporting extravaganza being hosted by India after the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi.
