Given the host of controversies in the run-up to the XIX Commonwealth Games, the opening ceremony was always going to be one of the most eagerly awaited and closely watched events worldwide
Given the host of controversies in the run-up to the XIX Commonwealth Games, the opening ceremony was always going to be one of the most eagerly awaited and closely watched events worldwide. Thankfully, the CWG OC pulled off the 180-minute spectacle. And pulled it off in style. 
Phew: Suresh Kalmadi must be glad the opening ceremony went off
without a hitch
Rahul Gandhi watches the spectacle
Opening ceremonies of sporting events are an ideal platform to showcase the host country's culture, financial muscle and overall emerging status in the world. And last night's show at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium did just that.
Within minutes of the commencement of the ceremony, the much-talked about world's largest helium balloon -- the Aerostat -- rose splendidly into the air and for the next couple of hours perfectly projected the show across itself in a 360 degree format. Then followed a brief folk dance followed by the mot eagerly anticipated segment of the ceremony - the athletes' march past. The choc-a-block stadium complex took to its feet even as the 6,000-plus showmen and women of the Games paraded. As expected, the Indian contingent received the loudest cheers, who surprisingly also cheered for Pakistan and sporting powerhouse Australia.u00a0 
Proud moment: Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra leads the
Indian contingent into the stadium. Pics/Rajeev Tyagi, Subhash
Barolia, AFP
Colonial cousins? Former president APJ Abdul Kalam and Duchess of
Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles
Sushil Kumar hands over the baton to Prince Charles
The man in the muddle, er middle - CWG OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi then took to the microphone but in total contrast of his tendency to ramble on, this time round ensured he spoke for only a few minutes - albeit under booing from the vociferous crowd. A series of speeches later, from President Pratibha Patil, CWG Federation president Mike Fennell and His Royal Highness Prince Charles, it was action time.
The world's longest baton relay then completed its final phase with Beijing Olympic bronze winning boxer Vijender Singh, Melbourne Games' Goldfinger shooter Samresh Jung, five-time World Champion boxer Mary Kom and world champion grappler Sushil Kumar doing the honours.
Then came the second part of the cultural showcase. Varied dance forms like Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Bharat Natyam, Mohiniattam, etc were thrown in to clash with Bhangra, Lavani etc amidst the near-deafening sound of over a hundred colourful drum beaters with the age-old yoga completing the ethereal experience. The world's largest rail network, Indian Railways was also showcased in all its grandeur, following which music maestro A R Rehman gave the Games the perfectly-tuned beginning it deserved.
7, age of Keshava, a child prodigy who enthralled spectators by playing the tabla
Rs 70 cr, cost of the helium balloon ufffd the biggest in the world
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