CWG ame information at Metro stations

25 Metro stations to have information kiosks
If you new to Delhi and don't know how to get around without seeking help from strangers? Your virtual guide may soon be a touch away, thanks to the Delhi Metro. All necessary information about Delhi, including its culture, history, places of tourist interest, movies and details related to the Commonwealth Games are going to be available in select underground metro stations within a couple of months.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will install interactive digital information pods (DIPs) in 25 underground metro stations ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October.

The stations where touch screen information kiosks will be installed include Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Barakhamba Road, INA, AIIMS, JLN Stadium, Vidhan Sabha, Viswavidyalaya, Chandni Chowk, Model Town, Khan Market, Race Course, Jor Bagh, New Delhi, GTB Road, Civil Lines, Chawri Bazar, Malviya Nagar, Hauz Khas, Saket, Udyog Bhawan among others.

Anuj Dayal, DMRC spokesperson said “This initiative has been taken keeping in mind the convenience of international tourists who will visit Delhi during the forthcoming Games. However, this value-added service will continue even after the Games,” .

Commonwealth Games gives new life to Tughlaq-era monument

Delhi’s State Archaeological Department has recently started work on the monument, situated to the south west of the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games, among other events. Earlier, a team of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) had given approval for the stadium’s renovation work. Sources said the DUAC observations were very clear, “It (the tomb) must be retained and integrated with the stadium design. There should be no damage to the monument.” Fortunately, there has been no damage to the structure of the monument but it presents a very odd site, ensconced as it is between the strong iron girders of the renovated Stadium. The ASI had issued the preliminary notification for the monument in March 2004, along with two other structures within the JLN Stadium premises, one on the north west side called Kala Gumbad and the other, on the south west side, without a name. The agency brought out the final notification for a 16 faced unknown tomb in December 2004 but the same was not done for the remaining two tombs. “Till the time a final notification is issued, it is understood that the monument is under the state archaeology department,” said ASI spokesperson Dr B R Mani. He, however, did not give any reasons for not issuing the final notification. The State Archaeology Department’s Jaspal Singh said, “The conservation work could not have been taken up before the civil work for the stadium was completed. Now that it is complete, we have started the conservation work and we are confident of completing it in a month’s time.”

Rock Band Euphoria to perform live for CWG

The Euphoria group led by singer Palash Sen will also perform live at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. THis information has been unveiled in a 30-second promo of their much awaited debut international release, Dilli - Gateway to Your Heart on their Facebook page. This song is the theme track of the Commonwealth Games 2010, to be held in Delhi in October 2010.

The full song will see a global release in the month of September 2010. Euphoria will also launch another theme song for the Commonwealth Games in Hindi titled Dilli Meri Jaan for the Indian audiences along with a music video on the August 16, 2010. The band is also looking forward to the release of their eagerly awaited fifth studio album in September 2010.

Speaking on the songs, the band's lead vocalist Dr. Palash Sen said, "Compassion is the only way to go and love is what we've got from fans all across the world. Music is what we know and it is the gateway to your heart! We love our country and our city. We just love Delhi and are looking forward to Commonwealth Games in October. These songs are our tribute to our identity and our pride."

Prince Charles and Camilla, will be present during opening ceremony

Though Queen Elizabeth will skip Delhi Commonwealth Games, there is an addition from the royal family at the opening ceremony. Camilla, wife of Charles, the Prince of Wales will be present during opening ceremony.

According to an external affairs ministry official, the British government has confirmed that that 62-year-old wife of the heir to the British throne, will also be in Delhi to attend the inauguration of the Commonwealth Games Oct 3.

Her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, by not attending the Games inauguration will break a 40-year-old tradition. Last month, the Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that due to a very packed schedule, the Queen will not be able to attend the event. It was then stated that only Prince Charles would be attending the event.

Now with his wife joining him, the royal wattage has certainly doubled at the Commonwealth Games.

The couple had earlier visited India in 2006, a year after they got married in 2005.

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee is expecting to receive over 100,000 spectators and delegates during the Games. A budget of Rs.11,494 crore (Rs.114.9 billion) has been earmarked for the successful conduct of the Games scheduled Oct 3-14 in the Indian capital.

CWG catering not in place with just 53 days left

ust two months to the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the organizing committee (OC) ironically seems to be slowing down rather than speeding up. It has now decided on a fresh request for proposal (RFP) to award catering contracts at all 17 venues, except the Games Village.

The process of choosing caterers is not expected to be completed before August-end, which would leave barely a fortnight for the infrastructure to be put in place. The caterers are meant to start operating from September 15 when the athletes are expected to start arriving.

The two RFPs are for two services — packaged food and catering in VIP lounge areas. The RFPs were released on Saturday and a deadline of July 30 and July 31 respectively has been set. If followed to the letter, the process could take a while to get to the point when OC chairman, Suresh Kalmadi makes the final choice.

While one RFP is meant for the workforce, another one will serve VIPs and the Games Family members, as well as athletes and delegates.

This will further need the approval of the finance committee of the OC and then the executive board before the caterer is given the letter of award to start work. The entire procedure is expected to take at least till the end of August. Interestingly, the caterer will also need to give a list of workers for accreditation by Delhi police, the last date for which is August 1. This is besides the time required to set up temporary structures that the caterer will need at the venues, especially the firm serving at the lounge areas.

Source TOI

Whos who in Commonwealth Games 2010

SHERU

Shera, mascot of the 19th commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, would be most visible face of the 19th Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. Word Sheru has been derived from SHer – meaning tiger. Shera truly represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’.

Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of: majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary.

SURESH KALMADI
Suresh is a Marastrian born Indian politician, and active Indian national congress member.He is the president of the Indian Olympic Association, Asian Athletics Association, and Athletics Federation of India.







VIRENDER SINGH

ijender Singh has made India proud as he became the top ranked boxer in the middleweight category (75kg). Post the World Boxing Championships held in Milan, Vijender is number one with 2700 points and is followed by Cuba’s Emilio Correa Bayeus with 2500 points in the AIBA list. Abbos Atoev of Uzbekistan. to whom Vijender lost in the World Championship semifinals, is third with 2100 points.








SUSHIL KUMAR

Beijing Olympics bronze medal winning wrestler Sushil Kumar would be a hot favorite in boxing tournament.

List of 17 sports in commonwealth 2010

Commonwealth games 2010 which would be hosted in Delhi In cotober has finalized 17 games

1) Aquatics
2) Archery
3) Athletics
4) Badminton
5) Boxing
6) Cycling
7) Gymnastics
8) Hockey
9) Lawn Bowls
10) Net Balls
11) Rugby sevens
12) Shooting
13) Squash
14) Table tennis
15) Tennis
16) Weight Lifting
17) Wrestling.

Final Medal tally at 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth games

At the 2006 closing ceremonies were formally closed in the presence of Royal Highness Prince Edward , after a typically Melbourne Closing Ceremony, The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) flag was then lowered by a party representing Australia’s three emergency services, and handed to Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2010 Delhi Games, before 800 Indian performers marked the hand over of the Games with a Bollywood spectacular.

Among the performers were 12 Bollywood superstars, including actress and former Miss Universe Aishwarya Rai, who played the lead in the recent film 'Bride and Prejudice'.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President, Mike Fennell, also named Indian Shooting athlete Samaresh Jung as the winner of the inaugural David Dixon Award.

Jung won an incredible seven medals at the Games, five gold, one silver and one bronze and set three new Games records along the way.

FINAL MEDAL TALLY OF 2006 MELBOURNE COMMONWEALTH GAMES
( Click on the picture for a clear view)

Airline to be full During Commonwealth Games

If you have a travel plan for October book your tickets right away.

As the dates for commonwealth games are coming closer airlines are getting jam paked and full.

All airlines including Jet airways, Sahara airlines, kind fisher, Spice jet, go air, Indigo, have all full seats already for the October time while the CWG would be on.

Check the ticket availability today and book your tickets in advance.

Cheap hotel for commonwealth games

Lot of option for cheap hotels rented apartments, service apartments, budget hotel , budget lodges, star hotels laodge, youth hostels are coming up as the days for common wealth are coming closer.

CWG Organizing commitee contacts sports ministry to avoid clashing of cricket with CWG

Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, wrote to sports ministry,seeking rescheduling of cricket matches during the Games time:


This is with reference to the two Test matches between India and Australia, now slated to start on October 2 in Mohali and October 10 in Bangalore so that the they do not clash with the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. A letter for the same has been written to Mr Sharad Pawar as early as on July 1, 2009, seeking due consideration by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to ensure that it does not schedule any major cricket matches during the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.

Route for Queens Baton

Queens baton would be covering the Entire States of India before it finally reaches to New Delhi before the games.

The Commonwealth Express

The Commonwealth Express train started out of Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi on June 24th, on its way to Amritsar to coincide with the arrival of the Queen's Baton there tomorrow.

The Commonwealth Express is a special exhibition train designed to promote the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. It has 11 coaches -- five of which feature rare Commonwealth Games memorabilia, and six of which are devoted to showcasing Information Technology.

The train is scheduled to make over 50 stops all over India, before returning to Delhi on October 2, just before the Games begin. After Amritsar, it will travel up through the Punjab before heading across to Haridwar, and then through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, down through West Bengal, south India, and back to Delhi via Goa, Maharastra, Gujurat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Presently the train is moving in to orissa on August 7

IBNLive creates microsite to enable users participate virtually in Queen’s Baton

IBNlive.com, in association with CWG Organizing Committee, has created a microsite IBNLive.com/QBR that will allow users to participate virtually along the India path of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), a traditional relay around all the participating Commonwealth nations prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games.
http://ibnlive.in.com/qbr/

The Queen’s Baton Relay for the 19th Commonwealth Games began with a commencement ceremony by Queen Elizabeth II and the President of India, Dr Pratibha Patil on Oct 29, 2009 from Buckingham Palace, London. The Relay reached India via the Wagah-Attari border from Pakistan on June 25, 2010, covering a distance of 170,000 kilometres spanning 70 nations over 240 days.

The baton will travel 20,000 kilometres, over 100 days in India covering 400 cities and towns and will pass through the hands of around 5,000 Baton bearers. Since everybody will not get an opportunity to carry the Queen’s Baton physically, IBNLive.com has created a microsite to provide an opportunity for the millions of enthusiastic Indian sports lovers to participate in this historic occasion by carrying the Queen’s Baton online and become a part of the Commonwealth Games 2010 history.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay symbolizes the involvement of people from across the Commonwealth nations at this festival of sport and culture,” Suresh Kalmadi, chairman, organizing committee, Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, has said. “The relay has evolved into a powerful symbol of unity and diversity of Commonwealth Nations. We at CWG are very pleased to partner with Network18 and look forward to this online platform created on IBNLive.com which will provide a unique opportunity to Indian citizens to participate in the Queen’s Baton Relay online.”

Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief, IBN18 Network, has added, “We are proud to partner with the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 Organising Committee for this unique and unprecedented initiative. A special platform has been specifically developed for this initiative on IBNLive.com which will enable millions of proud Indian citizens to extend their support to the Queen’s Baton Relay and in turn the Commonwealth Games through direct participation.”

Delhi police active against errant Auto Drivers

‘‘Till Thursday, we challaned over 3,000 vehicles and impounded 126 others. We are yet to get the final figures for Thursday,’’ said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner (traffic).
Delhi Traffic Police has claimed to have ‘‘punished’’ over 3,000 erring auto drivers who are still ‘‘taking passengers for a ride’’. Unable to check the ever-increasing complaints of misbehavior, refusal and overcharging against the auto drivers, the police have now deployed plainclothes cops across its 40 circles as decoy customers to challan all auto drivers who bend the rulebook.

Garg told Times City that they have got 80 teams to man the city. ‘‘One group of personnel, consisting of women officers are taking up strategic positions and asking auto drivers to go to destinations close by. If they refuse or overcharge, we will challan them. The other team is waiting at the ISBTs and railway stations. They are randomly asking passengers to tell them whether they have come by meter. If the answer is no, we are instantly challaning the drivers,’’ said Garg.

The misconduct by auto drivers cannot be tolerated now. Errant drivers need to be booked as they now have no excuse after the substantial hike in the auto rickshaw fares,... added Garg. The Joint CP said that all confiscated vehicles’,permits will be cancelled for a period that might extend up to 30 days.

In the past two days, 92 vehicles were issued challans for refusal, 60 for overcharging and 88 for driving without a license. As per data available with the traffic cops, over one lac autos have been prosecuted for various offenses till June 15 this year. Of these, 5,435 vehicles were challenged for permit violation and 5,138 drivers were prosecuted for driving without license. Nearly 11,000 drivers were found without proper uniform and badges. Only 1,404 challans were made for refusal.

Delhi to rate restaurants for CWG 2010

For the Common wealth games 2010, government will soon start rating all food establishments, including small and medium eateries, restaurants, dhabas, takeaway joints and fruit dispensing outlets on parameters of safe and hygienic food.

The project `Safe food, tasty food' to be implemented in time for 2010 Commonwealth Games, will grade restaurants and food establishments (gold, silver or bronze) in the capital to start with, so that consumers can make informed eating choices.
The proposed grade or logo will be displayed by the establishment which decides to be part of the project conceptualized by the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India.
Broad structure, parameters and auditing mechanism for holding food establishments accountable for acceptable levels of safety and quality are put in place. This will also result in improved quality as establishments will have to meet parameters to be rated higher.

The project, which is a voluntary exercise will be implemented with the help of local bodies (like Municipal Corporation of Delhi), NGOs, food establishment owners and food and health regulatory authorities. A directory of the restaurants and eateries that have been rated will also be published. Restaurants and establishments including caterers will be rated on parameters including raw material, water, preparing and processing food, personal hygiene, handling and storage, vending/selling, environment, cleaning, waste disposal and pest control.

Food business operators will have to ensure that they produce, sell and distribute safe and hygienic food and their premises are also clean and comply with norms. In case their food, services or premises fail in any of the criteria, the operator would need to take action unlike earlier when the inspector had a major role in ensuring food safety

Fraser and Usain Bolt not Interested in CW Games 2010

After men’s Olympic Champion Usain Bolt, women’s Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser has also decided to give a miss to this year’s Commonwealth Games. In a big blow to the organizers, the Jamaican sprinter, who is the fourth fastest woman in the history, said she wants to concentrate on next year’s World Championship.

“It is a long season and trying to peak for the Commonwealths and then coming home in December to start training for a World Championships (next year) is too much to ask, especially for someone like me who is a also a student. I will be in school. I don’t think I am going,” Fraser was quoted as saying. However, the organizers here refused to confirm her pull out. “

Teenager Zoe smith is a part of 2010 CWG

The youngest ever weightlifter to represent England, 16 years old Zoe Smith will be a part of Commonwealth Games after being named in a 12-strong team.

Smith will compete in the 58kg group in India, after taking silver at the European Youth Championships in June.

Zoe, who sealed her place in the squad with a combined lift of 188kg at the British Weightlifting Championships in Kilmarnock, said: "I'm pretty excited about it. At the moment it's as big as the Olympic Games to me. I think it will really help me on the way to 2012.

Smith has broken more than 300 records since taking up the sport four years ago. She also took Gold at under-53kg at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune.

Also selected in the weightlifting team are Gurbinder Cheema and Jo Calvino, who both finished fourth at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and will each be competing in their third successive Commonwealth Games.

"Like everyone else, I'm obviously going for gold in Delhi. I think that's a realistic prospect. I'm going to give it my all and see what happens on the day."

Smith is 13th in the Commonwealth rankings for under-58kg, but she is expected to climb up the rankings when they are updated to include her European Youths performances.

Maggie Lynes, England's weightlifting team manager, said: "Zoe has demonstrated her potential to podium at major championships and it's very exciting to have her in the team.

"I think the whole team has the potential to do well in Delhi. They are all capable of performing on the day and now selection is out of the way, they can focus on their training for the Commonwealth Games."

The Games in Delhi will be the third to feature women's weightlifting and powerlifting for athletes with disabilities, and the first to showcase women's powerlifting for disabled athletes.

Australia, Britain top in list for CWG tickets

Australia and Britain have made a beeline for the Commonwealth Games ticket counters as have African countries.

Australia and England are the two countries which have bought the most number of tickets. The sales of tickets has exceeded our forecast and we are confident that Games will have a full house' said a senior official of the Games organising committee.
Earlier, some stakeholders had predicted that the response from foreign visitors may be muted due to security concerns. However, there are no indications to show that tourists are holding back their plans to Delhi.

African nations have not disappointed either as there has been a 'great response' from countries like Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia. 'We are very satisfied,' the official added.

There are 71 countries participating in the Games scheduled Oct 3-14, of which 26 have an option to buy tickets from local sales agents. People in the remaining countries canbuy tickets online. Ticket sales in international markets began in November last year.

On the other hand, tickets in India are being sold at various retail shops, ticketing call centre and also through the Commonwealth Games ticketing website.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) http://www.irctc.co.in has been appointed as the official ticketing agency for the Games, while Broadway and Ticket Pro will manage the call centre and provide technical services.

To a question that tickets could be black marketed and counterfeit may emerge, the organizing committee official said: 'We are working with Delhi Police to prevent any such occurrence. Also, visitors are encouraged to book tickets online. On our part, we have got the tickets printed on special paper at the Currency Note Press, Nasik, where Indian currency notes are printed.'

As of now, spectators buying tickets are provided with a confirmation voucher, which will be exchanged for actual tickets beginning Aug 1, when people can start getting actual tickets against every purchase.

From Oct 2, tickets can be bought at the Games venues too.

To avoid duplicate tickets, the paper has a bar code, an invisible logo of theCommonwealth Games, a security thread and other features which will make them impossible to replicate.

While ticket prices for sporting events range from Rs.50 to Rs.1,000, those for the opening ceremony have been pegged from Rs.1,000 to Rs.50,000. The ticket prices for the closing ceremony is fixed between Rs.750 and Rs.50,000.

The official said each ticket holder can travel free of charge by Delhi Metro and government-run Delhi Transport Corporation buses to reach and return from the venue on the day of the event.

Also, the Games ticket will have a map indicating approach roads, starting time and security procedures.

Anti Narcotics and Drugs - On high Alert for CWG 2010

With the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi approaching, the country's anti-narcotics agencies are working overtime to ensure that narcotics and recreational drugs do not come in Delhi in time for the sporting extravaganza.

Official sources said field units across the country are keeping a hawk eye on known drug cartels for signs of unusual activity especially along the traditional smuggling routes across the India-Pakistan border.

The presence of thousands of athletes and lakhs of additional tourists and spectators in the capital during and after the Games is expected to create a huge demand for recreational drugs and hard drugs. This incentive is expected to spur drug traffickers into hectic activity.

"We are keeping a close watch. Our intelligence officers have been asked to look out for tell-tale signs of increase in narcotics activity," a source said. "As the Games draw closer our surveillance will increase."

He said various agencies like Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Border Security Force and Customs will work together to check narcotics related activity during the games period.

Apart from heroin, the bulk of the demand is expected to be for party drugs like ecstasy and 'Malana cream', a superior variety of marijuana grown in an illicit manner at Mana in Himachal Pradesh's Kulu valley.

Enforcement apart, the agencies are also planning an awareness campaign "to sensitise people about the harmful effects of narcotics, new age drugs and amphetamine-based stimulants that have hit the market," a source said.

India consumed 17 metric tonnes of heroine in 2008 and current opium consumption is estimated at 65-70 mt per year. Most of the consumption is for medical purpose and trafficking has decreased in recent years. The government is trying hard to ensure that no illegal cultivation is done, and areas of Himachal and J&K are on strict vigil.

According to the UN report, cannabis remains the most widely produced and consumed illicit substance globally, but synthetic drugs like amphetamine-type stimulants are now the second most commonly used drug, ahead of cocaine and opiates.

British students to volunteer for Commonwealth Games

Thirty students from the Sheffield Hallam University in Britain will volunteer for the Commonwealth Games under an agreement signed on Thursday.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Sheffield Hallam University Vice Chancellor Philip Jones and Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee (CGOC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

The students will be selected from Sheffield Hallam University's media and journalism courses and will be part of a pool of 30,000 volunteers for the October games. They will mainly deal with the media.

The organizing committee is planning a state-of-the-art Press Center and International Broadcasting Centre for more than 5,000 journalists, Kalmadi said.

CGOC's Jiji Thomson told IANS: 'A batch of 30 students from Sheffield had volunteered in the Beijing Olympics and performed commendably. For the Commonwealth Games too, we have students from the university volunteering for us.'

At Beijing, the Sheffield students were the only Europeans among 16,000 volunteers. Sheffield is working in partnership with the London Organizing Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games too.

'The students, who will arrive in September, will also train our volunteers in handling the press,' Thomson added. The Sheffield students are in the age group of 21-24.

Vice Chancellor Jones said: 'Sheffield Hallam was the UK's first designated 'City of Sport' and has a world-class reputation for its commitment to sports. We are delighted to be able to showcase our ability at such a significant sporting event as the Delhi Commonwealth Games.'

The Commonwealth Games 2010 - volunteer training at Amity School Noida

The Commonwealth Games 2010 that are to be held in Delhi has started rolling out e-mails calling volunteers for training. Training is to be conducted by official training parameter, Amity University. As reported the venue for training is selected to be Amity engineering college situated at Sector-125 Noida.

It seems that government is doing its best to ensure maximum participation. The timings for the training are 8.30 am to 6 pm. For applicants who are not reachable via e-mails, Commonwealth Games OC is sending out calls via SMS.

Participants can reach Amity campus by taking a Metro going to Noida. Botanical Garden Metro station is the nearest point to the campus. Amity University would be ferrying volunteers from 8am to 9am from Noida Botanical Metro station to Amity University Campus and after the training programme, back to Noida Botanical Metro Station free of cost.

If you are planning to drive down to Amity Campus sector 125 Noida in your personal vehicle, kindly ensure that you enter the campus through Gate No 2C, parking space would be provided.

For identification purposes, you must bring a hardcopy of email along with you. If you have received an SMS then a valid photo id card (Driving License/PAN card/ Passport/ College ID card/ Voter ID Card) is required on first day. All the participants will get a registration card to be carried on all days for training.

History of the Commonwealth Games- 'Friendly Games'

The concept of a united Commonwealth sporting event was coined during rebirth of the Olympic Games, and was first formally propagated by Reverend Astley Cooper in The Times newspaper in 1891.

In 1911, the 'Festival of Empire' was held in London to celebrate the coronation of King George V. As part of the festivities, an Inter-Empire Championships was held in which teams from Commonwealth Nations including Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom competed in events such as boxing, wrestling, swimming and athletics. A trophy in the form of a silver cup, 2ft 6in high and weighing 340oz, the gift of Lord Lonsdale, was presented to the winning country, which was Canada.

The first practical steps were taken to organise the British Empire Games in 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Mr M. M. (Bobby) Robinson of Canada called a meeting of representatives of all Empire countries, and made the proposal that the British Empire Games should be held. The first British Empire (Commonwealth) Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada where 11 countries took part. In total 400 athletes represented their respective countries in 6 sports and 59 events.

The Games have been conducted every four years except for 1942 and 1946 when they were disrupted due to World War II. Since its inception the event has seen many changes, not least in its name. The name, British Empire Games, was changed in 1950 to British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In 1966, it was changed to British Commonwealth Games. It was the 1978 Games in Edmonton that saw this unique, world class, multi-sports event change its name to the Commonwealth Games.

Often referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’ only single competition sports had been on the programme from 1930 up to and including the 1994 Games in Victoria.

The 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur saw the introduction of team sports with nations taking part in cricket (50 over game), hockey (men and women), netball (women) and rugby 7's (men).

In Manchester in 2002 hockey, netball and rugby 7's were part of the programme again and at the 2006 Games in Melbourne basketball was added to the list of team sports.

Hockey, netball and rugby 7’s will again feature in XIX edition of the games at Delhi in 2010.

Opening and closing ceremonies

From 1930 through 1950, the parade of nations was led by a single flagbearer carrying the Union Flag, symbolising Britain's leading role in the British Empire.

Since 1958, there has been a relay of athletes carrying a baton from Buckingham Palace to the Opening Ceremony. This baton has within it the Queen's Message of Greeting to the athletes. The baton's final bearer is usually a famous sporting personage of the host nation.

All other nations march in English alphabetical order, except that the first nation marching in the Parade of Athletes is the host nation of the previous games, and the host nation of the current games marches last. In 2006 countries marched in alphabetical order in geographical regions.
Three national flags fly from the stadium on the poles that are used for medal ceremonies: Previous host nation, Current host nation, Next host nation.

The military is more active in the Opening Ceremony than in the Olympic Games. This is to honour the British Military traditions of the Old Empire

Source: Wikipedia

Commonwealth Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, established on 11 December 1931 is an organisation of 53 independent member states.

Most of the states were formerly part of the British Empire. They co-operate within a framework of common values and goals, as outlined in the Singapore Declaration.These include the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, individual liberty, egalitarianism, free trade, multilateralism, and world peace.

The Commonwealth is an inter-governmental organisation through which countries with diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status. Its activities are carried out through the permanent Commonwealth Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General; biennial Meetings between Commonwealth Heads of Government; and the Commonwealth Foundation, which facilitates activities of non-governmental organisations in the so-called 'Commonwealth Family'.


32 members of the Commonwealth Nations are Republics, 16 members are Commonwealth Realms and 5 members have distinct Monarchs.
The Head of the Commonwealth is a ceremonial position currently held by Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth II is also the monarch of sixteen members of the Commonwealth, also called the Commonwealth realms. As each realm is an independent kingdom, the Queen, as monarch, holds a distinct title for each of the realms.

Tickets for commonwealth games 2010

Tickets for the Commonwealth Games have started to sell now. The prices range for tickets is from very affordable Rs 50 (US $1.1 approx) going up to Rs 50,000 (US $ 1100).

While ticket prices for the sporting event, to be held here in October, will range from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000, those for the opening ceremony have been pegged from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50,000.

The ticket prices for the closing ceremony will be between Rs 750 and Rs 50,000.

The Lt. Governor later told reporters that about 1.7 million tickets are expected to be sold for the event.

Tickets for the mega sporting event will be sold online at http://www.tickets.cwgdelhi2010.org

Tickets are available at retail outlets of Central Bank of India and Hero Honda. We will soon publish list of Central Bank and Hero Honda outlets.

Commonwealth Games organizing committee has also launched ticketing call centre 1800-200-1294.

General ticket sales agents have been established in 28 countries across the globe (list and addresses to be published soon)
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been appointed as the official ticketing agency for the Games.

The ticket sales will be in three phases. During Phase I, spectators buying tickets will be provided with a confirmation voucher which will be exchanged for actual tickets beginning Aug 1, when the second phase for the sales start. In the second phase, the spectators will get actual tickets against every purchase.

The third phase beginning Oct 2 will witness venue sales outlet also added to the sales channel.

'Spectators can choose the option of getting their tickets delivered through courier or opt for pick-up option if booking online or through the call centre,' an official said, adding that over 50 outlets have been planned for Delhi and the National Capital Region in a phased manner.

The official said each ticket holder can travel free of charge by Delhi metro and government-run Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses on the day of the event.

There is no entertainment tax levied on Commonwealth Games tickets sale.

Ticket sales in international markets began in November last year, while the sales to sponsors began in May this year.

Start 07:00:00 PM End 09:00:00 PM

Opening Ceremony

Reserved A Rs. 50000 BUY Reserved B Rs. 25000 BUY Reserved C Rs. 5000 BUY Reserved D Rs. 1000 UNAVAILABLE

Delhi Traffic Police all geared up for CWG 2010 with facebook page

Delhi Traffic Police is gearing up to manage the capital’s congested traffic that is expected to witness a huge rush during the Games)NEW DELHI - From roping in celebrities to instil road discipline, to reaching out to the citizens through social networking site like Facebook and Twitter, to increasing its personnel, to adding a fleet of snazzy motorcycles, the traffic wing of the Delhi Police is putting its act together for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.


A beginning has been made with ace batsman Virender Sehwag, whose message, “Please follow traffic rules, stick to your lane”, plays in between popular songs on FM channels.

“Sehwag has joined this project in educating people on traffic sense. We expect it to have an impact and people will become responsible in the coming months. We hope to get more celebrities,” Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chadha told IANS.

Apart from the awareness campaign, the traffic police is spreading its ’safe traffic’ message through social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Delhi Traffic Police has a profile on these two websites, which is visited by many people.


“We have more than 6,600 ( Now over 10,000) followers on Facebook now. By the time the Games commence, we are expecting around 20,000 followers. We think that by opening a dialogue with people, things can work more effectively and swiftly,” he added.

The traffic police is beefing up to reach its sanctioned strength of 5,500 personnel before the Games, including 300 woman traffic cops, who have joined recently. In addition to this, 200 motorcycle patrols will also be added.

“Three hundred lady cops have been added in the past few months, especially in the new and central Delhi parts. We are also getting 200 Pulsar bikes to strengthen the chase and challan (fine violators) initiative. We would reach our sanctioned strength of 5,500 personnel before the CWG,” Chadha said.

This apart, there would be dedicated lanes, or lanes reserved on major roads, that connect to Games-related venues will be used by cars and buses ferrying athletes and delegates.

Thirty-six roads that fall on the Games Route - from the airport to the Games Village in east Delhi - will be changed to dedicated lanes for the event

The reserved lanes will be on the right side of the road and earmarked by broad blue bands that will also have the Commonwealth Games logo.

Among the 36 roads are Parade Road, National Highway 8 ‘T’ point, Safdarjung Road, Lodhi Road, Aurobindo Road and Mathura Road.

The plan for dedicated lanes was drawn up by Ramesh Narayanaswami, special advisor to the Delhi government on the Games, and was approved by Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna.

The traffic police plan to impose heavy fines on vehicles trespassing into the Games’ lanes.

For normal traffic, yellow arrows painted on the roads will indicate the alternate routes they are to take. However, traffic police say that all the Games lanes will not be blocked at the same time during the event.

The Delhi Traffic Police has drawn up plans to educate drivers about the dedicated Games lanes and on the need for lane discipline.

“In the coming weeks, we will launch initiatives to educate drivers on lane management for the Games lanes,” Chadha said.

“Similar drives to enforce lane driving, especially for giving way to emergency vehicles related to the Games, will also be launched,” he added.

Another plan to manage traffic is to have rumble strips on flyovers near dedicated lanes. “There will be rumble strip speed breakers to slow descending traffic on flyovers adjoining the reserved lane,” the official added.

Traffic police and road authorities like the Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation of Delhi have been asked to appoint officers to visit all lane change and problem areas, according to the plan to manage traffic.

The PWD and MCD will also be responsible for carrying out the lane markings on roads and ensure they remain intact through the monsoon and the Games period, the plan says.

According to Chadha, a number of programmes have been started to create awareness about the lanes. “The main goal behind them is to create awareness among the citizens of Delhi to follow traffic rules and lane management before the Games,” Chadha said

Over 100,000 visitors are expected in the city during the Games. With all the plans ready, the Delhi Traffic Police is confident of ensuring smooth flow of traffic during the October Commonwealth Games.

Branded cars to ferry VIPs during Games- CWG 0001-2000

You may find luxury cars sporting unique numbers ferrying delegates during the Commonwealth Games.

Delhi Government has proposed an exclusive registration number series for the 2000-odd cars the Commonwealth Games organising committee (OC) is procuring for VIPs.

The series is likely to start with the letters CWG, abbreviation for the sporting event used globally, followed by numbers 0-2000, a senior Delhi government official said.

While no final decision has been taken yet, chances are that these vehicles will continue to have this special number as legacy of the Games.

“Special numbers will help police and OC members identify vehicles catering to delegates and other VIPs, especially in wake of security curbs during the event,” Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said.

The cars will include sedans and more luxurious cars for VIPs like visiting heads of states. There will be limited number
of super luxury, bulletproof cars for VVIPs. The cars will have distinct colours and the Games logo.

Sources said these cars would be ‘sponsored’ by one of the three Indian car manufacturers. Since these cars would be later sold through dealers, the OC wants brand-value associated with the fleet. A unique registration number would add to the brand value, a Delhi government official said.

During the Melbourne Games, Toyota had sponsored cars and later sold them as special edition cars.

According to officials, the transport department has already written to the ministry of road transport and highways seeking its permission to start this series of unique numbers. Senior officials said all vehicles are issued '10-digit' registration number that includes the state code and the district code where the vehicle is registered.

“It would require amendment in the Motor Vehicle Act to have unique series for which transport officials have been directed to write to the union ministry,” a Delhi government official said

The commonwealth Baton going places

The baton’s journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables communities beyond the Host City to share the Games celebrations. It also serves a functional purpose in carrying Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘message to the athletes’ from Buckingham Palace in London to the opening ceremony of the Games.

The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi commenced from Buckingham Palace, London, on the 29 October 2009. The baton will then travel through all other 70 Commonwealth nations – a historic journey that will cover a distance of more than 170,000 kilometres in 240 days. On its 100 day national tour, the baton will visit the capital of each of India’s 28 states and seven union territories, plus many other cities along the way, covering more than 20,000 kilometres. By the end of its journey, the baton will have traversed over 190,000 kilometres in 340 days, making the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi one of the longest relays in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

The baton will also have passed through thousands of hands, and travelled by different modes of transport across land, air and sea. The relay will conclude after the final Batonbearer enters the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games on 3 October 2010 where Her Majesty’s message will be removed from the baton and read aloud, officially opening the Games

The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi, on its way to India, reached its penultimate international destination Bangladesh early

Delhi to be Tobocco Smoke before CWG 2010

At a function held here to mark World No Tobacco Day, she pointed out that the city government has come out with several initiatives to implement the plan. “An integrated community-based pilot project will make people aware about ill-effects of tobacco and also make treatment accessible to them through participation of non- government organisations,” the chief minister said. The Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) has been made the coordinating agency for the pilot project, which will be first implemented in five areas of east and south Delhi — Sunder Nagri, Nand Nagri, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Park and Hauz Khas. The organisations will also provide training to community workers and doctors, besides arranging counselling for tobacco users. A website www.smokefreedelhi.org was also launched by Dikshit for extending help to people who want to quit smoking. She said about 1.5 million people die every year globally because of tobacco use. India has an estimated 120 million smokers. “It is alarming and has become a point of concern for all of us,” she said. Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia said a smoke-free capital will mean that everyone is protected from hazards of tobacco smoke in public places, including auditoriums, hospitals, railway waiting rooms, restaurants, public offices, court buildings, educational institutions, libraries and public conveniences, among other places. A Delhi government official said 97,153 public places were raided following which 18,957 persons have been fined for smoking in public since October 2008 when smoking was banned in public places. Also, 1,495 tobacco vendors were fined by the state government and a sum of Rs.1,675,240 was realised from the violators, the official added. According to the officer, the government has also identified designated officers in several government offices for implementation and compliance of smoke-free rules within their jurisdictions.

Guesthouses to get interest subsidy from Centre

In a bid to meet the shortfall of accommodation in the Capital ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the Central government has stepped in to roll out an interest subsidy scheme for adding capacity to guesthouses.

Sources said the move, a brainchild of the Union Tourism Ministry, has been approved at the highest level and is likely to be announced this week. The Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission have also come on board as this plan is a last-ditch bid to make accommodation available for visitors during the Games.

According to the proposal, the government will pay the “interest” on loans taken — up to Rs 2 lakh per room — by guesthouse owners. This is expected to act as an incentive for them to add rooms to their existing establishments and also refurbish the existing rooms.

Sources said this will benefit about 700 licenced guesthouses spread across Delhi. The government is hoping to meet the shortage of about 10,000 rooms through these guesthouses.

The overall shortage of accommodation during the Games will be about 40,000, and the government is trying to bridge the gap by giving tax holidays to the starred hotels which will account for about 11,000 rooms. Another 6,000 rooms will be put together by the Commonwealth Games Village and the newly constructed DDA flats at Vasant Kunj in South Delhi.

Venues for Games

Delhi is all gearded for common wealth games and work is going on in full swing for game venues.

Below are the venues

1. Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex
2. Thyagaraj Sports Complex
3. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
4. Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Swimming Stadium
5. Talkatora Indoor Stadium
6. Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
7. Siri Fort Sports Complex
8. Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range
9. R.K. Khanna Tennis Complex
10. Yamuna Sports Complex
11. Central Vista - India Gate
12. Delhi University