Prince Charles arrives in India for CWG opening

Britain's Prince Charles and wife Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwell, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday on a three-day visit to India during which they will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Games' Organising Committee, received the Royal couple.

Earlier this year, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had asked the Prince of Wales to represent her at the Games' opening.

President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prince Charles will declare open the Games on Sunday, October 3.

In addition, Charles spend time with athletes from a broad cross-section of Commonwealth countries.

This is the biggest Commonwealth Games ever, featuring around 7000 athletes and officials from 71 countries, who are currently based at the swanky Games Village on the banks of the river Yamuna.

Beijing Olympic Games gold medallist Abhinav Bindra will be India's flag-bearer at the march past during the Opening Ceremony.

The two-hour ceremony, which is scheduled to commence at 1900 IST at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, has been sold out, with ticket prices ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 50,000.

The Opening Ceremony, which will showcase India's rich heritage and culture, will comprise seven segments - Swagatam, Rhythm of India, Great Indian Journey, Yoga, Celebration, Tree of Knowledge and Rajasthan Puppets.

The Queen's Baton Relay on Saturday was taken to the Games Village; en route it went to important monuments like Akshardham temple, Red Fort, Rajghat, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib and Jama Masjid before it was taken to the Nehru stadium, venue of the Opening Ceremony.

Source: rediff.com

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