Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) India and Britain resolved a protocol row by agreeing that Prince Charles and President Pratibha Patil will jointly declare the 19th Commonwealth Games open Sunday, an event for which a spruced up Indian capital has come under an unheard of security cover.

With only two days left for a gala inaugural at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the city, about 6,000 athlete and officials from the English-speaking Commonwealth world have poured into the sprawling Games Village, their every movement watched by an army of security personnel.

About a thousand more are on their way, Indian officials said.

With earlier uncertainty and bickering giving way to undisguised confidence, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit declared that the Indian capital was all set to host the country’s biggest extravaganza after the 1982 Asian Games.

“Delhi is absolutely ready for the Commonwealth Games. I am sure the Games will go on beautifully, smoothly. Hip hip hurray for the Commonwealth Games!” an elated Dikshit said after welcoming the Queen’s Baton Relay at her office.

The baton had begun its journey from London last year — for a tour of the Commonwealth countries and territories.

Shooter Abhinav Bindra, India’s lone gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, would lead the host contingent as it marches into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at the opening ceremony.

A historic city, Delhi has been put under unprecedented security blanket. Plainclothes detectives are mingling with crowds on the streets, shopping malls and Metro stations, while unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been keeping a watch from the sky.

Delhi Police Friday inducted three Light Armoured Troop Carriers. The Games Village and all other venues are ringed by heavily armed police and paramilitary forces.

Prince Charles is representing his mother Queen Elizabeth, who normally declares open the Games. Since she declared her inability to come to Delhi, the British assumed that Prince Charles should declare the Games open, igniting a protocol row with India.

That issue was settled Friday — with a touch of diplomacy.

Prince Charles will read out the Queen’s message and receive the Queen’s Baton and declare the Games open. After that President Patil, on behalf of Delhi, will also declare the Games open.

Olympic bronze medallists Vijender and Sushil Kumar apart from Saina Nehwal, Melbourne Commonwealth Games stars Samresh Jung and Akhil Kumar, and five-time women’s world boxing champion Mary Kom are likely to carry the Queen’s baton through the final stretch, India’s chef de mission Bhubaneswar Kalita said.

The Indian flag was raised at the Games Village at a colourful ceremony, with school children performing yoga and traditional dance.

A foot overbridge that collapsed near the Jawharlal Nehru Stadium last month embarrassing the host country was quickly rebuilt by the Indian Army and handed over Friday to the organisers.

All shops and offices here will be shut Sunday — and on the closing day Oct 14.

According to officials, the most high-tech security systems are in place for the Games. Around 100,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed for the event.

Finally, facilities at the Village and the venues have begun to come in for praise from athletes and officials. But the issue of who all must take the blame for previous mess continues to echo.

New Zealand said that Michael Hooper, the Games Chief Executive Officer in India, must share the blame for the problems related to the event.