Queen’s Baton Relay arrival marked with festive spirit
The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) arrived in the city on Thursday setting the tempo for the opening of the Games three days ago. While the arrival was marked by festive spirit, Delhi mayor P.R. Sawhney did not attend the functioning at the organising committee headquarters. Lieute-nant Governor Tejendra Khanna also gave Delhi a thumbs up saying the city can even host Olympic.
The QBR reached Delhi border on the National Highway No. 8 from Gurgaon where Delhi’s education and sports minister Arvinder Singh Lovely received the baton from former hockey captain Ajit Pal Singh. The baton was straight away taken to the organising committee headquarters on Jaswant Singh Road. The baton was then presented to Mr Khanna by Dronacharya awardee Satpal. It was then presented to Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khanna said, “The Games Village that we have is the finest ever and is ready to host Olympics or any other multi-discipline world class meet.” “They have told me that we should bid for Olympics now,” he said. The L-G dismissed controversies as superficial aspects being highlighted. “Having seen the Games village myself, I am giving a thumbs-up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Sawhney stayed away from the function as he was not invited. Other BJP leaders from the MCD also stayed away in protest. The mayor apparently was not happy on being neglected for the important function.
“He is not a BJP mayor but the mayor of the city and everywhere in the world it is the mayor who receives the baton,” said Mr Arya.
The baton will be taken to India Gate, Teen Murti Bhawan, Qutab Minar, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, Games Village and, finally, the QBR will culminate its journey at the opening ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 3.
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