COMMONWEALTH-INDIA CELEBRATES WORLD

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

In the background more than ten different Indian dance troupes, each in different primary colours and dancing to different rhythms, completed the picture: A chaotic country teaming with individuals, united by an energy we in Britain no longer have-THE GREAT INDIAN JOURNEY

It was a great pleasure seeing the Magnum opus Opening Ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 live in Jawarlal Nehru Stadium.I have been a fortunate one to get the ticket and enjoy the games among sixty two thousand enthusiast present at the venue.


Exactly at 7 pm when the countdown started the enthralled audience made it clear that India is ready.Ready for a moment which India has been waitng for 8 years.Indeed the time has come.Everybody in the audience was eying on the controversial aerostat,which when went up stirred the whole stadium.It was clear that the worlds largest aerostat was going to be the biggest highlight of the show.With the drums creating sensation in all around the stadium,vibrant cultural extravaganza swept across the stadium and won hearts of thousands who were gathered there.Everybody were spellbound after seeing keshav, a seven year old playing tabla.The spirit of India was unfolding in front of spectators through the eye of Tree Knowledge,Yoga ,the Great Indian Journey by Indian Railways and A.R. Rehman performance.

Zealous Crowd

Being in the audience it gave me an immense pleasure in welcoming all our guest from 71 countries .It was spontaneous ,it was avid.Everybody in the audience was making noise,waving flags and were wearing the best commonwealth outfits and bands..I never had such a patriotic feeling before for my country.There was unity in the stadium to show the world that they want the games to be a huge hit.The backbone of the event was the audience, an audience who were there for a  cause despite accusations and criticism.A cause which signifies true spirit of Nationalism.India welcomed her guests with warm hearts and raised the spirit bar of other countries with thunderous applause.To the matter of fact every one was touched by the hospitality shown by India.Even I couldn't resist my hands waving at the teams passing by.Whether it was tremendous applause for Pakistan or the support for small island of Tuvalu,the support was uncomplaining.The audience screamed passionately when the Indian contingent entered. It was like a fan fair. Truly I consider this event as  "Avatar" among events-unimaginable.

 I couldn't resist my foot when the segment of the Great  Indian Story by Indian Railways was unveiled.It was unparalleled. Everybody was able to connect to this act because it had everything right from a milk churn to Indian coolie,it had cycle-men to ambassador car ,a marriage procession to bangles shop to dabbawalas.In such a complex India, though a miniature, I was seeing and was surprised how we were united despite so many differences or let me put in this way that "Diversification leads to unity".Celebration impulse was mounting with every step Delhi was taking..The negative clouds were being cleared as the show was reaching its climax.

It was clear from that evening that those 62000 people were there to support games and  to support people who were involved in its execution . They ignited the spirits of the people who had slogged months for this gala opening..3 billion people saw the event live across the globe and saw how India was celebrating the world.I should say Commonwealth Nations but I prefer using the term world because an answer to the world was being conveyed about the tremendous positivity and potential what India has to offer.

"The energy of 60000 people radiated to us",Bharat Bala,Director for the show.

Truly for me it was a lifetime experience which I will never forget till my last breath.

"We could actually feel the rhythm of joy,we could actually feel the vibes of celebrating life and above all one important work was being done by all the spectators -sending the message across India and to the globe-THIS IS INDIA ,EXPLORE WITH US"-Nikhil Bhushan