Thaindian News

Shimla, July 6 (ANI): The Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) reached Shimla on Monday.

A ceremonial function was organized in the city, while local sports personalities, including Arjun Award-winner Seman Rawat Mehta, ran with the baton held high through the streets of the hill town.

State Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the arrival of Baton a historic moment.”On this historic moment not only Shimla, but the whole state is delighted and welcoming the Queen’s Relay Baton. People have come here in large numbers and since yesterday, when this relay entered Himachal Pradesh, thousands of people had welcomed it, and pray that this three-day journey will be successful,” said Dhumal.

“The baton has received a warm welcome in Himachal Pradesh and this is an unforgettable moment. It will definitely encourage sports and (sportsman) spirit, and we will make this land a sports land,” said Anurag Thakur, General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Olympics Association.

The Queen’s Baton had arrived in India from Pakistan via the Wagah border on June 25.The baton will cover most states and union territories, travelling a distance of over 20,000 km, before finally reaching New Delhi on September 30.

The Queen’s Baton relay is a torch race symbolising the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of nations. It carries a message from the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, currently Queen Elizabeth II of the UK.

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, it can be tracked through exact location. (ANI)