Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) From flowers to souvenirs, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping at the Commonwealth Games Village, but there’s a catch. They can do so only in Indian currency.

The sprawling Village houses a flower shop, an ice-cream parlour, a general store and souvenir shops. When the more than 6,000 players from 71 teams come back after a hard day’s practice, many of them head for these shops.

That’s when they notice the Organising Committee guideline pasted at all outlets, “Only Indian currency accepted here”. Of course, there is the option of using cards (debit and credit), but most players indulge in retail therapy by rushing off to the Central Bank of India branch in the International Zone to get some rupee notes.

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Snapping up commandos

Gun-toting commandos have been one of the surprise hits at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Before the Games opening ceremony began Sunday, many spectators made a beeline for the handsome security personnel on duty.

Visitors, who had entered four hours before the ceremony began, could be seen clicking photographs of the commandos or even posing with them for the cameras.

“They look so smart and reassuring,” said Amar Jain, 25, who got a picture taken. “And they are handsome too,” he added enviously.

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Time bar!

Residents at the Games Village have given a thumbs up to the liquor served at the bar, but a thumbs down to the 11 p.m. deadline for it.

The bar located in the colourful International Zone is mainly meant for officials as the athletes are forbidden from drinking during the competition.

“I like the bar. But they close it too early. We are used to drinking till late in the night. Tell the organisers to do something about it,” requested Derek Webb, table tennis coach of the island nation Guernsey.

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Party for scribes - without scribes!

Over 800 invitation cards were sent out, but only 50 turned up at a cocktail gala for scribes covering the Commonwealth Games, leaving officials red faced.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) had organised the party for scribes at the manicured gardens of the Taj Mansingh Hotel. But unfortunately, the number was far, far less than expected.

As the event began at 7.30 p.m., security personnel were checking the cards and the numbers listed on it for verification.

But as the night wore on and only a few scribes turned up - including those who never miss a chance - senior officials of the PIB looked desperate.

So when a scribe, who had to meet someone at the five-star hotel walked in, senior PIB officials directed him to the event. When he said he had come for some other work, a bit of cajoling followed: “Come, for sometime!”

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Here’s news: No newsletter

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has decided to cancel the Village newsletter without given any reasoning.

It was supposed to issue a newsletter providing the daily schedule of Village activities to athletes and delegates. But when asked, the Games mayor’s office said: “It has been cancelled and we don’t know the reason.”