Commonwealth Games 2010- Opening Ceremony- For the Honor and Glory of Sports

Enjoy the spectacular opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Oct 3rd.

(L-R) Prince Charles and Camilla, President Patil with her husband, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his wife.

The Indian delegation led by Olympic gold medalist (shooting) Abhinav Bindra.

20,000 dancers moved gracefully center stage.

The Canadian contingent

Here is a news report from NDTV.

New Delhi:
The spectacular opening ceremony for the XIXth Commonwealth Games on Sunday put the spotlight back on to the Games. And for a change, the media that had largely been critical of Delhi's efforts in the build up to the Games, showered praise for the wonderful show.
The Guardian said, "Concerns of recent weeks forgotten as dazzling event launches games amid atmosphere of national pride and celebrations.

"The Telegraph, also published from London, described the event as, "The biggest sporting spectacle India has ever hosted kicked off in typically colourful fashion... And there we were thinking it might never happen.

"The Herald Sun that comes out from Melbourne went a step ahead comparing the opening ceremony to that of the Beijing Olympics stating, "Indian Games officials should feel proud of the opening ceremony, classy and showy but somehow warmer and less contrived than the Beijing experience." (The helium filled aerostat ballon suspended above the stadium)
The Australian, published from New South Wales, wrote, "After weeks dominated by the old India of corruption, poverty and chaos the new "Incredible India" of diversity and cultural pride showed its face."The opening ceremony took place at the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium that was dressed like a newly wed bride with Henna on her hands. And just so that the athletes don't miss out on all the action, the teams marched into the stadium right at the beginning of the programme, a first for the Commonwealth Games.The most beautiful moment of the night though was the huge roar for the Pakistani contingent. The 620-member strong Indian contingent led by Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra got a stand ovation from the crowd.While Prince Charles declared the Games open, President Pratibha Patil said, "The Games are now open. Let the Games begin."The cultural show took the audience on a journey of the country showcasing the diversity that is India featuring everyday life of the common man. In the end, all the negativity and criticism was forgotten as "Jiyo Utho Badho jeeto" becomes the mantra for the next 11days.

The Tree of Knowledge suspended from the balloon.

Dancers from Manipur (NE India)

Shera enjoying his moment

The South African brought their vuvuzelas along

Dancing with the performers

Strict security is in place

International friendships being chiseled.
Here are videos which you must watch of you want to see the rich diversity and culture of India.
The firs t one is the percussion performance with drummers from across the length and breadth of India. Right in the midst of them is a 7 year old child prodigy, Keshav who is displays such magnificence on the drums.


In this video is a yoga display and an explanation of what yoga is. Yoga are exercises to unveil or attain the hidden god or Brahma in you, according to Hindu philosophy. This is done by activating the 7 chakras which arouses the kundalini at the base of the spine which is believed to be in the form of a serpent or sarp. One does yoga to arouse the kundalini or serpent.
After the yoga you can see The Great Indian Train Journey, which is a pageant of everyday Indian life seen while travelling on an Indian train.

The photographs have been taken from The Indian Express and IBN7 websites