New Delhi:
The Organising Committee (OC) chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, almost had a fall, as the Queen's Baton was received by Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Tejender Khanna and Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit in a chaotic and reverberating atmosphere here on Thursday.
Just after the function while making his way to the dining hall amid the flurry of guests, mediapersons and volunteers, Kalmadi's shoes got stuck under carpet but securitymen prevented him from falling down.
The function began at the OC headquarters with Games mascot 'Shera' welcoming the guests. Then Dronacharya awardee Satpal Singh handed the Baton to Dixit and Khanna with Kalmadi by their side.
With maestro A R Rahman's CWG theme song 'Jiyo Utho Badho Jiyo' blasting from the thousand watts JVL speakers, Kalmadi placed the Baton on the dais as volunteers cheered on, waving the tri-colour.
Everybody present there wanted to be a part of the occasion as they jostled for space with camerapersons, breaking their cue. And it was chaos all around at the OC hall during the function that went on for an hour.
Notwithstanding the chaos, the CWG theme song and Shera song did generate some emotion as everybody joined in chorus.
Welcoming the Baton, Dixit said, "The baton is here. The Games have arrived to our country. We want to spread this energy all over Delhi and the country. We wish our guests and athletes a very happy stay. We are trying to do our best. Happy Commonwealth... happy days ahead."
Kalmadi said, "The journey has begun in London and it's here without a single incident. There is going to be a great opening ceremony. We had seen the advent of colour television during the 1982 Asiad, now we are bracing up for new technology (HDTV) during the CWG.
"It's everybody's Games. Everybody should enjoy the opening ceremony which is going to be a treat to watch. If you don't get tickets, you should catch up on television."
The dignitaries at the occasion were also presented with a replica of the baton.
Earlier, at the Delhi border, Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) was received by Arvinder Singh Lovely and Cabinet secretary Rakesh Mehta from government officials of Haryana.
The Baton completed its 20,000-km journey across 28 Indian states and seven union territories.
Now, it will have an extensive three-day display while moving through the city, beginning Thursday.
It will traverse through India Gate, Vijay Chowk, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple and
Teen Murti Bhawan tomorrow, while on the eve of the Games, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib will be the destination followed by the St Columba's School and the Games Village.
Just after the function while making his way to the dining hall amid the flurry of guests, mediapersons and volunteers, Kalmadi's shoes got stuck under carpet but securitymen prevented him from falling down.
The function began at the OC headquarters with Games mascot 'Shera' welcoming the guests. Then Dronacharya awardee Satpal Singh handed the Baton to Dixit and Khanna with Kalmadi by their side.
With maestro A R Rahman's CWG theme song 'Jiyo Utho Badho Jiyo' blasting from the thousand watts JVL speakers, Kalmadi placed the Baton on the dais as volunteers cheered on, waving the tri-colour.
Everybody present there wanted to be a part of the occasion as they jostled for space with camerapersons, breaking their cue. And it was chaos all around at the OC hall during the function that went on for an hour.
Notwithstanding the chaos, the CWG theme song and Shera song did generate some emotion as everybody joined in chorus.
Welcoming the Baton, Dixit said, "The baton is here. The Games have arrived to our country. We want to spread this energy all over Delhi and the country. We wish our guests and athletes a very happy stay. We are trying to do our best. Happy Commonwealth... happy days ahead."
Kalmadi said, "The journey has begun in London and it's here without a single incident. There is going to be a great opening ceremony. We had seen the advent of colour television during the 1982 Asiad, now we are bracing up for new technology (HDTV) during the CWG.
"It's everybody's Games. Everybody should enjoy the opening ceremony which is going to be a treat to watch. If you don't get tickets, you should catch up on television."
The dignitaries at the occasion were also presented with a replica of the baton.
Earlier, at the Delhi border, Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) was received by Arvinder Singh Lovely and Cabinet secretary Rakesh Mehta from government officials of Haryana.
The Baton completed its 20,000-km journey across 28 Indian states and seven union territories.
Now, it will have an extensive three-day display while moving through the city, beginning Thursday.
It will traverse through India Gate, Vijay Chowk, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple and
Teen Murti Bhawan tomorrow, while on the eve of the Games, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib will be the destination followed by the St Columba's School and the Games Village.
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