Countdown begins for 2010 Commonwealth Games

The formal countdown to next year's Delhi Commonwealth Games began with the ceremonial Queen's Baton relay.

The formal countdown to next year’s Delhi Commonwealth Games began today with the ceremonial Queen’s Baton relay,which saw Queen Elizabeth II handing over the glittering baton to India’s President Pratibha Patil in London.

Before the Queen placed her message to the baton and passed it on Patil to mark the beginning of a year-long relay,a cultural show in sync with India’s rich tradition was organised at the majestic Buckingham Palace.

The message was engraved onto a miniature 18-carat gold leaf that is symbolic of the ancient Indian palm leaf patras. It is for the first time that the Head of a State attended the traditional ceremony and received the baton from the Queen.

Story continues below this ad

Commonwealth Games Federation Michael Fennell presented the baton to the Queen.

President Patil passed on the baton to Indian Sports Minister M S Gill,who handed it over to Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

From Kalmadi baton reached the hands of first baton bearer Abhinav Bindra,India’s only Olympic Gold medallist.

Day after PM Modi’s visit to the town, Manipur’s Churachandpur sees violent protest

India3 hr ago

Protests in Manipur's Churachandpur turned violent as two men were arrested for damaging decorations for PM Modi's visit. The crowd demanded their release and attempted to storm the police station. The men were eventually released after a bail hearing. The incident occurred after a clash between locals and police on Thursday, but the situation had calmed down before Saturday's visit.

View all shorts

Live Blog