A R Rehman releases official song for Commonwealth Games

A R Rehman releases official song for Commonwealth Games.

Here is the first vocals of A R Rehman song for the commonwealth Games.

The momentum is now picking up

No kissing No Hugging during CWG 2010

The organizing comity for commonwelath games 2010 Delhi has recently issued a guide line for people coming to watch the commonwealth games and making kissing and hugging during the games, talking on religion, indecent clothing, stairring non permissible.

The visitors to Delhi during the games would have to adhere to the dress norm keeping in view the local culture and tradition.The advisory and educate guide has been put on the website of the CWG

"The Western practice of a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting a lady or a grown up girl is JUST NOT DONE when you are in India unless you happen to be in 'Westernized Indian' circles ... If you find the lady is not extending a hand shake, go for the Namastey," reads one of the advisory."Be aware that public displays of affection (hugging, kissing) are generally not appreciated. However, it is common to see men showing affection and camaraderie on the roads and in villages throughout the country," it added.

"If somebody has invited you home for dinner, carry with you a bottle of wine accompanied by a bouquet of flowers or at least a box of sweets or chocolate bar for the children ... People usually take their shoes off before entering a house and putting feet on the furniture is considered bad manners," it reads.

There are also tips of eating behavior and what to discuss in public.

"Politics can be freely discussed in India and most people will have an opinion which they will not mind being contradicted, but avoid discussing religion.

"If eating Indian style, with the hands, it is useful to remember that it is considered impolite to use the left hand for eating," it says.

But of all the tips, one that takes the walk is lessons on Indian toilets for the travelers.

"In India, public toilet facilities are few and far between and outside of the hotels and restaurants can be of dubious cleanliness. We recommend taking every opportunity you can to use a clean toilet in hotels and restaurants and that you carry tissues/wet wipes with you," it read.

Also if you thought of driving in the Indian roads, think twice because it is India and traffic congestion here can give you a torrid time.

"For your safety, we suggest that you do not hire transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators. We can provide you all types of transportation at very reasonable prices. Self-drive cars though available are not recommended as it is not advisable for you to drive on the Indian roads with all the traffic," it read.

Indians are curious by nature, so if you are stared at, please don't mind. It is just curiosity, says another tips.

"Even in the most cosmopolitan of cities in India the chances are that your different appearance might mean that you will be stared at, though this especially happens in the smaller towns and more remote areas. Please do not be offended no harm is meant, it is just curiosity," the advisory adds.

The Commonwealth Express to reach capital on wednesday

The Commonwealth Express, a special exhibition train designed to promote the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, will reach to reach capital on Wednesday August 25 on the Kerala leg of its nation-wide journey.

The train also has Exhibition on wheels showcases Commonwealth Games memorabilia Exhibition open for public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 25 and 26.

The train that was flagged off from Delhi on June 24 has 11 coaches – five of which feature rare Commonwealth Games memorabilia, and six of which are devoted to showcasing Information Technology.

The train, which is coming from Madurai in Tamil Nadu, will halt here for two days before proceeding to Kollam on August 27 and to Ernakulam on August 28. The exhibition will be open for public on these dates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. After August 28, the train will return to Delhi via Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

“By endorsing ICT through Commonwealth Express, Indian Railways has taken the initiative of spreading the essence of IT to the citizens who are not yet exposed to the opportunities generated by the sector. We are also leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Kerala's IT journey is highlighted through this exhibition,” Rathan Kelkar, Director, Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) told a press conference.

“Indian Railways' e-governance initiatives are commendable, like e-ticketing and Corporate Wide Information System (CWIS). It is a role model for other organisations in implementing e-governance successfully,” said Mervin Alexander, CEO, Technopark.

The Commonwealth Express is being run jointly by the Ministry of Railways through its Railway Sports Promotion Board and the Ministry of Communication & Information Technology.

M. Nanda Kumar, Director, Department of Information and Public Relations; Korath V. Mathew, Director, Akshaya; and Elizabeth Sherly, Director, Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management – Kerala, were present at the press conference.

Rs 18 cr tickets for Commonwealth Games sold through IRCTC

Notwithstanding the recent controversies engulfing the Commonwealth Games, over Rs 18 crore worth of tickets for the sporting event have been sold so far, an official said. "We have so far sold tickets worth $ four million," IRCTC's General Manager-Operations, Sanjay Aggarwal, told PTI in Mumbai.

IRCTC had in March this year bagged the contract to be the official online ticketing agency for the games to be held between October 3-14 in New Delhi.

Aggarwal said the maximum number of tickets sold are for the opening and the closing ceremonies of the sporting extravaganza.

"It is obvious...more than the individual event venues, sales for the grand ceremonies are higher...you have spectacular events and artistes like AR Rehman performing at the ceremonies," he said.

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are priced between Rs 750-Rs 50,000 each. For individual sporting disciplines, the ticket denominations are between Rs 100 and Rs 1,000 per seat.

When asked if the recent controversies would dent the sales of tickets, Aggarwal said, "anything you say on the Games becomes a controversy these days."

The organisers said approximately 22 lakh tickets are available for sale and estimated that it would generate Rs 120 crore in revenue.

Aggarwal chose not to comment when asked about how have the sales fared in the last fortnight since allegations of corruptions surfaced.

Source: Hindustan Times

Delhi -The flyover city

Cheif minister Sheila Dikshit today said visitors of the CWG 2010 will remember Delhi as a city of flyovers.

Addressing a function after formally dedicating two new flyovers at South Delhi, Dikshit said she was confident of completing all the road infrastructure projects well in time which will provide uninterrupted connectivity in the city.

"There would be a signal-free road from Nehru Place to IGI Airport by November this year as a third flyover on Outer Ring Road will be commissioned next month," Dikshit said.

She dedicated two flyovers to Delhiites -- one at the Africa Avenue and Aruna Asaf Ali Marg intersection and the other one at the Rao Tula Ram Marg and Benito Juarez Marg intersection.

"We are confident that the visitors during the Games would be able to carry a good impression about the city," she said adding that they will remember Delhi as city of flyovers.

Noting that hosting such a prestigious international sports event has provided an excellent opportunity to the city to undertake a large number of developmental works, she said her government was gearing up to offer the best facilities to its visitors.

Dikshit also said Delhi would become the first city in the world to have highest number of CNG low-floor buses during the Games as the fleet strength of these buses will be 3,500 by March 2010.

The city government has undertaken a comprehensive exercise to install modern street lights, improve roads and enhance greening, including giving the underneath of flyovers an attractive look, she said.

The flyovers have unique feature such as noise barriers, concrete pavement over its entire length for maintenance free and enhanced service life.

Kalmadi future after CWG

This is the closest view of Kalmadi hand with his palm lines. Any guesses what his future is going to be after CWG 2010