The Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony kicked off in India’s capital New Delhi on Sunday night Indian time (Sunday morning U.S. time). The world’s largest democracy aimed to put on a visual treat for the eyes that should hopefully put aside the tainted controveries that accompanied the weeks leading up to the Games.
The ceremony opened in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will also serve as the main stadium of the event. The stadium, which can hold up to 60,000 people, was packed to near capacity with spectators cheering the opening laser display.
Among the seven major performances in the opening ceremony were the Swagatham (meaning “Welcome.”) Around one thousand children sang the opening song. This was followed by “Rhythm of India,” featuring one thousand drummers from various Indian states.
Among the guests of honor who declared the games open were Prince Charles, from the United Kingdom, representing Queen Elizabeth II, and President of India Ms. Pratibha Patil.
Organizers have promised that the opening ceremony would be better than that of the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing. “Better than Melbourne, better than any Commonwealth Games, better than Beijing - it’s a guarantee,” said Delhi Organising Committee joint director general T.S. Darbari, as quoted by the online blog MoreThanTheGames.
Among the flag bearers, Australia entered first and India last. This follows the general tradition of the previous host being the first flag bearing country, and the current host the last.
The Commonwealth Games were tainted by allegations of corruption, as well as leaked photos of filthy accommodations for the athletes. In addition, the budget in hosting the Games is reported to have gone far beyond projections, from an initial estimate of about US $358 million to US $2.5 billion now.
Security in New Delhi is believed to have been substantially increased for the Games, with a large deployment of paramilitary troopers around the city.
The ceremony opened in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will also serve as the main stadium of the event. The stadium, which can hold up to 60,000 people, was packed to near capacity with spectators cheering the opening laser display.
Among the seven major performances in the opening ceremony were the Swagatham (meaning “Welcome.”) Around one thousand children sang the opening song. This was followed by “Rhythm of India,” featuring one thousand drummers from various Indian states.
Among the guests of honor who declared the games open were Prince Charles, from the United Kingdom, representing Queen Elizabeth II, and President of India Ms. Pratibha Patil.
Organizers have promised that the opening ceremony would be better than that of the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing. “Better than Melbourne, better than any Commonwealth Games, better than Beijing - it’s a guarantee,” said Delhi Organising Committee joint director general T.S. Darbari, as quoted by the online blog MoreThanTheGames.
Among the flag bearers, Australia entered first and India last. This follows the general tradition of the previous host being the first flag bearing country, and the current host the last.
The Commonwealth Games were tainted by allegations of corruption, as well as leaked photos of filthy accommodations for the athletes. In addition, the budget in hosting the Games is reported to have gone far beyond projections, from an initial estimate of about US $358 million to US $2.5 billion now.
Security in New Delhi is believed to have been substantially increased for the Games, with a large deployment of paramilitary troopers around the city.
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