New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be declared opened by Prince Charles and President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi on Sunday. The October 3-14 Games will begin with a grand opening ceremony on Sunday evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Prince Charles met also met President Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday along with his wife Camilla Parker Bowles.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be among those attending the opening ceremony along with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, who is a special invitee. The ceremony will start with a two-minute long clip showcasing India to the world.
The biggest helium balloon will be suspended 25 feet above the ground at the ceremony and musicians from across the country will perform at the event. The ceremony will close with a song by AR Rahman.
Athletes from 71 nations will participate in the parade and ace Shooter and Beijing Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra will take an oath as captain of the Indian team.
On Saturday the Queen's Baton did its final round in the host city and people came out in huge numbers to catch its glimpse, which in many ways heralded the beginning of the Games.
From being bathed in the colours of the Commonwealth Games to its excited citizens - adults and children alike - the mood has been upbeat across the city.
From food, to clothes, to artifacts it is a celebration of Delhi 2010 as well.
Despite the recent controversies surrounding the Games, Delhi agreed that it was finally time to show the world that the Games can be delivered and delivered well.
"I am an Indian and love India. I would like every one to go with happy memories," said famous fashion designer Rina Dhaka.
While Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is excited about the Games, she blamed the multiplicity of agencies dealing with Commonwealth Games preparations for the delay and missed deadlines.
"Yes, we are all set to go," Sheila replied when asked if Delhi was ready for the Games.
She said that unusually heavy rains and multiple agencies made it difficult to monitor and finish Games related work on time
"We were facing very unusual circumstances; a) the diversity and multiplicity of the authorities, all involved in the Games construction, organisation etc. Secondly, extraordinary rains in the past two months. Practically the whole of September and the whole of August went into a spin as the rains were concerned, which were totally unexpected. In Delhi we never had rains like this. So we were tackling a flood situation. Thank god it went without any hitch and then the diversity of the people. Some body is making this road, MCD is making another road, then PWD is making something else, SAI is making some thing else, the LNDO is doing some thing else. So all these had to be collectively brought together. A plan worked out which we did and then it got started being implement about a year ago," the Delhi Chief Minister said.
"Well, I would not say I should have been given that. But I certainly do believe that a single line of command would have perhaps made things easier," she said.
Sheila also sounded unhappy with the Games Organising Committee and blamed it for delay in the preparations.
"Organising Committee could not organise the Games Village on time. It was OC's responsibility to see that toilets were clean. I can assure we have not compromised on quality at all. I can't be criticised for corruption by others. After the games are over there will be scrutiny. There is CAG and others. I am not responsible for the corruption done by others," she added.
But as the Games begin it is going to be a big test for the administration, both logistically and security wise. Specific guidelines have been put for general public as well as the spectators.
It looks like the administration has drawn up a plan to make Commonwealth Games the prime destination.
All markets will be closed in Delhi on Sunday and people have been asked to plan their movements well. Traffic restrictions will be put in many places.
A massive security cover is already in place with 30,000 Delhi Police personnel as well as 195 paramilitary companies guarding the Games venues.
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