It’s a proud occasion for every Indian as we get ready to host the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October 2010. It’s going to be the largest attendance ever - over 8000 athletes and officials are going to be there from 71 Commonwealth associations and countries.

The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) is one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games - it shows the unity among diversity of the Commonwealth and it acts as a great ambassador for India and New Delhi. The QBR started on October 29 last year from the Buckingham Palace when Queen Elizabeth II handed over the baton to our President Pratibha Patil in a glittering ceremony at the Buckingham Palace. From there, it has gone to all continents including Europe, Africa, the Americas, Canada and on to Oceania and the rest of Asia, and has finally come to India after covering 1,70,000 kilometres across 70 countries.

Pakistan has been very good to us - they supported our Commonwealth bid to the hilt and we are very happy to welcome the Pakistani Olympic Committee President at the Wagah-Attari border. The theme at the Wagah-Attari border is friendship through sports because Pakistan supported us in getting the bid for the Commonwealth Games. We can never forget that. And it’ll go around all over India for 100 days covering the distance of about 20,000 kilometres. Please cheer the baton on the way as it goes around India.

As everybody will not get an opportunity to carry the baton, we are providing an opportunity for millions of people to carry the baton online. To participate in the Queen’s Baton Relay online and secure your place in the annex of Delhi 2010, please log on to ibnlive.com/qbr.

I look forward to your participation and contribution to make the journey to Delhi 2010 a grand success.

Jai Hind!

Suresh Kalmadi
Chairman,
Organising Committee,
Commonwealth Games 2010