By IANS,
New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was drowned in a deafening roar as the Indian contingent marched for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony with even President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joining the spectators in giving the national athletes a standing ovation here Sunday.
The large Indian contingent of 619 – the men in maroon kurtas and black pyjamas with a golden stole and the women in maroon saris – were led by Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, waving to the crowd, and entered after the last of the athletes and officials from other countries had stepped into the sprawling stadium.
Bindra walked with the tri-colour fluttering high with the entire contingent in tow carrying mini-flags as they waved and acknowledged the adulation.
Later, the baton runners thrilled a packed crowd of 65,000. Beijing Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh led the four baton runners – five time women’s champion boxer Mary Kom, shooter Samresh Jang and Beijing Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar at the stadium as the aerostat depicted the baton’s journey, the longest in Commonwealth Games history.
Sushil handed the baton to Prince Charles who read the Queen’s message and declared the Games open, with President Pratibha Patil saying: “Let the Games begin.”
The sporting action begins Monday.