CWG Grips the nation- The magic has commenced

03/10/2010
CWG fever grips India. Craze for opening ceremony says it all
New Delhi: Here is the timeline of the 19th Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Sunday evening.

The organisers have been very tight-lipped about the details of the opening ceremony. All they have said till now is 'it will be a blockbuster opening ceremony'. MSN now gives you a sneak peak as to what you can expect in the big ceremony today. Here is the schedule of the opening ceremony.

19:00: Opening film showcasing India to world (duration 2 minutes)

19:02: Countdown (3 minutes and 55 seconds)

19:05:05: Rhythm of India (12 minutes and 34 seconds)

19:17:39: Swagatam (4 minutes and 40 seconds)

19:22:19: Arrival of dignitaries (11 minutes and 50 seconds)

19:25:19: National anthem and raising of Indian flag (2 minutes and 15 seconds)

19:27:34: Athletes' parade (50 minutes)

20:17:34: Dignitaries' speech (11 minutes and 30 second)

20:29.04: The final lap of baton carried by Abhinav Bindra (10 minutes)

20:39:04: Arrival of the Games flag (11 minutes and 50 seconds)

20:46:54: Athletes oath taking ceremony (5 minutes)

20:51:54: Tree of knowledge (11 minutes and 20 seconds)

21:03:14: Yoga (7 minutes and 30 seconds)

21:10:44: Great Indian journey (8 minutes and 30 seconds)

21:19:14: Celebrating India (7 minutes)

21:26:14: Grand finale (9 minutes)
(All times in IST)

Several people queued up outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to buy tickets for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Sunday, even as the Organising Committee said all tickets for the gala event had been sold out.
There was a huge rush of people looking for tickets near the stadium's gate number 16, close to the Metro station.

Excitement amidst chaos and confusion
The excitement was palpable but there was chaos and confusion too at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games Sunday with hapless spectators and confused mediapersons asking around for directions and volunteers proving to be of little help.

A foreign media journalist along with his photographer, who were looking for the right entry for mediapersons, said better informed volunteers or banners giving proper directions would have made access easier.

Commencing at 7 p.m. the the inaugural ceremony will encapsulate 5,000 years of India's culture. Divided into six segments, it will feature some 7,000 performers.
Some 7,000 athletes from 71 countries will vie for 829 medals in 17 disciplines at the Games.
Source: IANS
CWG grips the Nation