Bear in mind nothing lasts forever: Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra, India’s only individual gold medallist in the Olympics and a former world No.1 (owing to a long break, he’s No.4 now) in shooting, spoke to The Telegraph, the other day, on being at the very top and on cricket.

The following are excerpts

Q You’re the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 10m rifle. For a period, those successes made you the No.1. Were you, at any time, conscious of that?

A For me, winning a world title or an Olympic gold is more important than having a particular ranking... Rankings probably glorify the sport, that’s it... In shooting, rankings started in 2005 and, today, they matter because of Wada... The top-ranked shooters come under scrutiny... (After a pause) I’m not obsessed with rankings, but they exist in black and white.

Keen on cricket, what’s your take on Team India becoming No.1 in Tests?

It’s absolutely fantastic... Test cricket is, after all, the purest form of the sport... It would be great to have a World Test Championship and that would make the rankings more meaningful... The Australians are no longer No.1 in Tests, but I’ve been an admirer... They’re No.1 in the ODIs, but had briefly slipped from that position... That, however, didn’t reduce my admiration for a country which has won three World Cups in a row...

What has been the difference between this Indian team and others of the past?

We’ve seen a progression... There are many aspects to this climb, one being that today’s generation is more confident and more aggressive... Is far more competitive... Then, facilities have improved and there are many in the support staff to help... Also, besides the senior pros, some good players have worn the India colours in the past few years... They’ve brought quite a few things to the table.

Did you follow the recent Brabourne Test, after which we became No.1?

(Excitedly) I did... I watched (Virender) Sehwag’s innings of 293... What I admire about him is that he plays his natural game, whatever be the situation... He may not do well all the time, but doesn’t change his approach... Sehwag’s consistent with his style of play.

Having been a No.1, what would you tell Team India?

Offer my congratulations, first... I assume they’ll always be playing to win, so I won’t have to say much, really.

Isn’t retaining the No.1 position possibly tougher than getting there?

Shouldn’t be a problem if you play to win and, in that process, achieve a high degree of consistency.

Surely, there’s more pressure on a No.1?

There is... I mean, you can’t go any further... The only way, then, is down... When you’re the best, you can try to get better, but you can’t have a higher ranking than No.1... So, there’s definitely pressure...

You hold the biggest titles, but aren’t the No.1 today. How will you handle pressure in 2010, the year of the World Championships (in Munich) and the Commonwealth Games (in New Delhi)?

I look at it differently... To talk of the Commonwealth Games, I already have six medals from such competitions and will be looking to enjoy myself... I’ll be looking to prepare to the best of my ability... That, indeed, is the bottomline... In terms of preparations, I need to be at my best mentally, physically and tactically... If I’m ready in all respects, the result will take care of itself... I detach myself from the outcome... Of course, I’ll definitely be backing myself.

Sachin Tendulkar has been one of your heroes. When did you meet him for the first time?

During the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia... I remember requesting him to pose for a photograph... I still have it...

What did you tell him?

Not much, it was rushed... The first time that we really talked was during a recent awards function (in Mumbai)... Sachin wanted to know what had been my thoughts going into the last shot in Beijing.

So, what did you say?

That I’d been aggressive in the mind... That I badly wanted to score and take the gold medal.

Which is the last Sachin innings that caught your attention?

The one in Hyderabad recently, against Australia... Sachin scored 175... I’d been training in Germany, so had to follow it on the net.

Besides Sachin, who is the one cricketer you’d pay to watch?

Nobody, perhaps... It was during the 1996 World Cup that Sachin’s performance (523 runs in seven matches) attracted me to cricket... Nobody has mattered more... I haven’t looked beyond Sachin, so I don’t know what will happen when he retires!

Any thoughts on the present captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni?

Look, any captain is as good as his team... Dhoni is fortunate to have such good players under him... He’s been successful... Comes across as calm... If the going becomes rough, we should be patient and let him be...

Should something like T20 come into shooting?

(Laughs) We have that, for example, in the Bundesliga... Instead of 60, the competition is limited to 40 shots. The biggest difference is in the atmosphere... It’s open to spectators and they’re allowed to cheer their favourites... Can get very noisy... Takes time to get used to it.

How should success and the money which comes with it, one example being through the IPL, be handled?

You’ve got to accept that there will be good days and bad... Enjoy your moment of success, but don’t allow it to go to your head... Bear in mind that nothing lasts forever.

The last one: In a few days, your 16-month break from competitive shooting will end... A new journey, then, is about to begin...

Actually, after Beijing, I wanted to quit... I went through different emotions and I wanted the true answer to come from within... Didn’t force anything on myself...

Commonwealth Games top priority: Sheila

Now in her record third term, Delhi Chief Minister to complete another year in office on December 17

Now in her record third term, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will complete another year in office on December 17. In an interview to The Hindu on Tuesday she delved on various issues as also the priorities of her government, the uppermost being the upcoming Commonwealth Games in October 2010.

The Congress Government in Delhi has completed another year. But while the first part of the year went primarily in preparations for the Lok Sabha polls, in the latter the focus has been primarily on the Commonwealth Games. Do you see the Games preparations being completed on time?

I am sure we would have a successful event. Most of the preparations with respect to infrastructure would be completed by end of March 2010. While finishing works would go on till the very end, we would have completed all major works at least four months before the event.

Which are the major projects, you are most concerned about?

There are two. One is the Barapulla Elevated Road Project that would connect the Games Village to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium that is the main sporting venue; and the other is the Salimgarh Fort Ring Road Bypass Project that would provide better movement of traffic near Indira Gandhi Stadium and to the sporting venues in Central and North Delhi. I often visit these sites at night and am told that work is progressing as per schedule.

With a number of hotels planned for the Games not coming up do you foresee a problem of accommodation?

No. In the Bed and Breakfast scheme, we have already got over 1,200 registrations and Paharganj and Karol Bagh, that have a large number of hotels, are being spruced up. We would have enough rooms by the Games.

The Delhi Metro railway is encountering a problem of shortage of coaches. Have you been helping it overcome this issue?

I have spoken to its Managing Director E. Sreedharan and he has assured me that they would be getting more coaches in the coming year and with that the problem of overcrowding would be addressed.

Are you happy with the way the Delhi Metro has expanded to neighbouring States?

Yes, it is good that more people are using it now. But I would have personally liked the Delhi Metro to have expanded fully within Delhi before venturing out. That would have been better for the people of Delhi.

The Bus Rapid Transit Corridor has undergone a shift from its original design to a new one. It is now being said by various groups that the old design was more pedestrian-friendly and mass-oriented. So will you be going back to it in other areas?

There was a lot of hue and cry by a section of the media over the original BRT design as some of their big bosses, who travel by cars, stayed in colonies along it. We have now adopted a new design and let people judge for themselves which one is better. But we would be adopting a refined version of the original BRT design in two of the new projects – one of which would connect Karawal Nagar.

The low-floor buses have drawn a lot of criticism of late. Is it all smoke and no fire?

When we decided to bring in these buses a couple of years ago, we were very clear in our minds that they were good for the people. They are more comfortable and disabled-friendly. Also, the Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely has mentioned how we have bought them at the lowest rates and how they have brought down the per km operating and maintenance cost of DTC.

But are these buses okay for the bumpy roads of Outer Delhi?

I have directed the officials to ply these low-floor buses in the urban areas and to push the older higher chassis buses into the outer areas. Also, too much of dust and bumps are not be good for these buses. The roads in outer areas are being improved in the meantime.

The Delhi Government has been criticised for raising bus and metro fares, power and water tariffs and taxes when people were already reeling under severe price rise?

A Government only increases tariffs and taxes when it becomes absolutely necessary. We have not increased power tariffs but only withdrawn a subsidy. The water rates have been rationalised and still you pay only 10 paise for a bucket of water. The bus system has been modernised and so there was a need to rationalise the fare structure as well.

Multiplicity of authority is a problem that afflicts Delhi? You have been seeking more powers through control of the Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi police. What is the progress?

I don’t think we would get the DDA. As for the MCD, they had given us some powers but a piecemeal solution would not do as then we would only draw flak. So I have written to the Centre that we do not want a limited control over the MCD. Law and order is a definite issue and we would like the Delhi police to be divided into security, law and order, and traffic divisions for better and more specialised working. But we do not want the police to be under us.

Are you satisfied with the management of law and order?

That was a major area of concern. But the Delhi police have introduced more motorcycle borne personnel; the number of police stations has been increased from around 106 to 159; and most of the new police stations are in the outer areas so that they can control movement of inter-State criminals .

Get ready for a more costly 2010: Dikshit

“You wait, you’ll have to pay more.”This is what Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said when asked if her government planned more hikes after preparations for the Commonwealth Games were over.

She said the next round of hikes might come sooner than that. In March 2010, the government will raise the value-added tax (VAT) rates of several items under the 12.5 per cent slab to 20 per cent. These might include expensive pens, mobile phones and luxury cars.

“You have to pay more for better services,” Dikshit told HT. “Our collections have to be better. You travel in lovely low-floor buses and AC buses, you’ll have to pay more.”

Dikshit said the proposal to raise VAT rates for luxury items would be tabled in the assembly during the budget session in March. “I believe people should pay more VAT on luxurious items,” she said.

Dikshit said the recent hikes had been long overdue and were required, even if they were unpopular.

Over the past months, charges for various amenities in Delhi have gone up. These include average hikes of 70 per cent in bus fares, 36 per cent in Metro fares, and between 57 and 160 per cent in water tariffs.

Now, PR experts to firm up Delhi’s image

A Mumbai-based social communications group has bagged the campaign to inculcate “civic sense” and respect for heritage in Delhiites, in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

A brainchild of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the campaign aims to present the hospitable side of the Capital and make the environment positive for participants, tourists and residents alike during the Games.

Following an intensive pitch process involving 15 top advertising agencies, Citizen Dentsu, a division for social communications of Mumbai-based marketing communications group Dentsu India, bagged the account.

While people close to the development pegged the account at close to Rs 100 crore, P K Tripathi, Principal Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, said there is “no fixed budget” for the campaign. “We will intensify the campaign over the next few months and will release money depending on the various media used for it,” he said.

The campaign is expected to run till the first half of 2010.

Tripathi said the campaign has so far been launched on a test-basis through advertisements on DTC bus stops in areas such as Chanakyapuri. “We have just begun introducing the ‘Ladli’ mascot and the campaign will gradually get intensive and advertisements will appear in newspapers, TV and billboards.”

Gullu Sen, executive vice-chairman and chief creative officer of Citizen Dentsu, said, “The brief given to us was simple: it had to do with Delhi’s infrastructure and heritage, involving basic mannerism of people etc. But the biggest challenge was to tackle and address these issues without being offensive. So we created just one campaign and people in the ministry liked our idea.”

Calling Delhi a “true cosmopolitan city” that has people from all over the country, Sen said it was important to create a symbol to unify the people. And thus came the ‘Dilli Ki Ladli’ concept, he said. Sen said through the campaign, the brand mascot will spread civic awareness among Delhiites and encourage them to preserve the city’s heritage. Tripathi said, “We expect only the police to enforce rules and regulations, but it is also a citizen’s duty to observe rules and basic ethics of respecting public property.”

The agency released the out-of-home campaign on December 12. Sen said rest of the campaign will be rolled out soon.

Ancient art finds space in Games logo, motifs

Those with a keen eye will spot various Mughal architecture and traditional Indian folk art inspired design elements for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The designs adorn the logos, motifs, pictograms, wood marks and various other design patterns for the Games.

The Image and Look Team of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC), in consultation with a private design company, has taken inspiration from Delhi’s architectural heritage and colourful traditional folk art while designing various games logos and pictograms.

So while 'Jaalis'(ornamental pattern which is a common feature in Mughal architecture) have been digitised to give a modern look and is being extensively used in various games designs and patterns, the traditional folk art from Uttar Pradesh, Sanjhi, is the inspiration behind the games pictograms.

The pictograms for all the 17 sporting discipline that are part of the Commonwealth Games have been inspired by Sanjhi art.

These sports include wrestling, athletics, archery, weightlifting, cycling, boxing among others.

Sanjhi is a paper cutting and stencil art form from Uttar Pradesh used to tell stories. Sanjhi painting is rooted in the folk culture of the region and Vaishnava temples used it extensively in the 15th and 16th century.

Sangeeta Welinkar, Additional Director General, Image & Look, said, “The designs and motifs are an amalgamation of ancient Indian architecture and traditional folk art.”

“Our country has a rich history of art and culture and we decided to take inspiration from it to showcase them during the games.”

The 2010 Commonwealth Games logo has been inspired by India’s national emblem Ashoka Chakra.

“Worldwide international sporting events are associated with local art and culture. The logo of 2000 Sydney Olympics was a boomerang, which is very Australian, while the logo of 2004 Athens Olympic was a wreath,” said Welinkar.

Nigeria: Gov Timpre Classics Rescues Wrestling Federation

THE maiden Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva Timpre National Men and Women Classic Wrestling Championship began Monday in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

President of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation, Chief Austin Edeze who disclosed this at the weekend said the championship is very important as it would the federation ample opportunity to select the wrestlers that would represent the country at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.
According to him, all the styles ranging from Greco Roman, Free Styles and Women Open Category will feature in the week-long exercise. While the men will compete in the Greco Roman and free styles, the women will be fully involved in the open category so as to get the best out of them.

Meanwhile, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, said no stone would be left unturned in the course of repositioning Nigeria wrestling.

He thanked the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sylva Timpre for the sponsorship of this classic competition that has gone into records as the only major championship to be hosted this year. Igali also pleaded with the wrestlers to show that sense of responsibility by observing the rules of the game.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Yemi Osikaye informed, that all the states of the federation and affiliated clubs were invited for the competition in other to pick the best for the country's National team.

While states are said to be responsible for their transportation to and fro, the Bayelsa state government has since provided enough accommodation for the participating states, athletes and officials. The event ends on Saturday, December 19, 2009.

Uk high commissioner urges Indian firms to engage in sports

Ricard Stagg, British Hugh Commissioner to India, today exhorted Indian companies to take advantage of the expertise of British companies in the organization of mega sporting events like the Commonwealth Games in the areas of architecture, consulting, branding, and ticketing, along with infrastructure building.

Speaking at ‘Turf-2009’, FICCI’s Global Sports Summit, organized with the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and partnered by the UK, with Ethiopia as the focus country, Sir Richard Stagg said the UK-India relationship in the field of sports had been deepened with the signing of an MoU between the sports ministries of the two countries in 2007. The sporting ties are aimed at developing sports at the grassroots level for developing leadership skills and team working, he added.

In the UK, he said, sports was a big international business, standing close to 10 billion pound a year. For the London Olympics in 2012, more than 1000 companies from across the UK had already won contracts worth 5 billion pound while thousands more have benefited through the supply-chains. Of the direct contracts, 98 per cent had gone to businesses in the UK, half of these based outside of London and over two-thirds are small to medium sized enterprises.

The London Olympics, he said, offered a big opportunity for investment to Indian companies, adding that it was imperative for companies to engage in sports and use the expertise available around the world for the development of sports in India.

The Summit saw the release of a Knowledge Paper on Developing Sports in India: Vision 2020, a joint study by FICCI & Sports 18, and a White Paper on the Business of Sports brought out by FICCI and License India, edited by Ritu Maria of Brand Licensing Magazine & Director, License India.

K P Singhdeo, Chairman, of the Sports Commission of the Indian Olympic Association and Chairman of the Technical Conduct Committee of the Commonwealth Games, 2010, said the Commonwealth Games afforded great opportunity to the Indian sports authorities in the preparation of teams for the various sporting events at the Commonwealth Games, the second biggest sporting extravaganza after the Olympics.

The Sports Commission of India, he said, was pattern on the lines of the Australian Sports Commission, except that the former was answerable to itself, not to Parliament. Even so, India had managed to reach the 7th position in the Commonwealth Games and 4th position in Asian Games.

Tony Dell, CEO, Australia India Sports Alliance (AISA), pointed out that Australia had a lot to offer in upgrading the sports infrastructure facilities in India. AISA, he said, was developing centres in this country to provide opportunities for the development of sports in rural India in the expectation of producing a few world champions. These centres would develop sports training facilities, sports science and sports surfaces. “We are also looking to developing golf as the event has been included in the 2016 Olympics,” he added.

Harsh Pati Singhania, President, FICCI, emphasized that sport in India must be looked upon as an industry, beyond amusement and entertainment. That sport till now has not been a priority sector in India was evident from the budgetary allocation for it, he said, adding that the 1% budget allocation for the sports constrained the creation of new infrastructure and maintenance of existing ones. He called for broad basing of sport which could be achieved by the combined action of the Central and State Government.

Atul Singh, Chairman, FICCI Sports Committee & President & CEO, Coca Cola India, said India, with a young population and an extremely healthy economic growth projection provided a fertile ground for the growth of the sports industry. Aided by an aspirational and outward looking younger generation with high values on fitness, the industry was at the cusp of a major change. However, through the dynamics for a successful sports industry to prosper are there, lack of infrastructure, minimal private participation and a lack of sporting culture have not allowed sports to be pursued as a career, he pointed out.

The two-day convention is deliberating on subjects such as the need for adequate sports infrastructure and how to create it; the need for good coaching and coaches, physical fitness and endurance building techniques, the various facets of marketing of sports other than cricket and the absence of a sporting culture.

An exhibition showcasing sports equipment and technology and new products has also been organized during the course of the summit. The exhibition will give the sports goods and physical equipment manufacturers and sellers a rare opportunity to showcase their products, launch new products ands locate new clients.

Structured B2B meetings organized at the summit are expected to facilitate the flow of right technology for the sports goods manufacturing industry to enable it to compete at the global level and B2G meetings will help discuss the much needed policy issues and promoting the domestic sports manufacturing industry.

Saina pinpoints weak defence as her biggest disadvantage

India's highest-ranked shuttler Saina Nehwal today admitted that she needs to improve her 'defence' in big games
, which has let her down before top players in international tournaments.

''I am good at the nets, but sometime I go weak in the defence which is the biggest disadvantage in my important matches with the top ranked players,'' she said.

Talking to UNI here, Saina said now her entire focus is on the upcoming New Delhi Commonwealth Games, besides other international championships, including the Olympics and the Asian Games.

The world number eight is here to compete in the Syed Modi Grand Prix tournment starting tomorrow.

''I have to work very hard to train myself, besides fighting with the injuries all the time,'' the 19-year-old said.

''Now I am training for the coming international matches, including the Commonwealth Games, and trying to rectify my weaknesses,'' Saina, who started playing badminton at the tender age of nine, added.

Appreciating the change of attitude in the masses for the game of Badminton, Saina, the Rajiv Gandhi Awardee said now people are supporting the game and big companies are also lending their support to promote the game and the players.

She was, however, peeved on the lack of players from the Northern region of the country promoted in the game.

''There should be a Badminton Academy in this part of the country akin to those in Hyderabad and Bangaluru.

''North has good talent, but their is no proper training imparted to them in the sports of badminton, tennis and table tennis,'' she pointed out.

Saina, the only Indian woman
to reach the singles quater-finals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championship said due to the training schedule, she could not complete her studies and was even unable to give her 12th board due to participation in the Olympics.

Asking the young generation to join the sports, she said, ''sacrifice and hard work are the only road to success for any sportsperson.'' ''I have to leave ice-cream and chocolates to reach such spot with at least 10 hrs of rigorous training everyday,'' Saina said, advising the same to the youth for a bright future in sports.

The young sensation further said she still owes her success to her father Harvir Singh, a scientist, and mother Usha Rani, both state-level badminton players.

The Hyderabadi shuttler scripted history on June 21 last after becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament after clinching the Indonesia Open with a stunning victory over higher-ranked Chinese Lin Wang in Jakarta.

She is also the top seed in the Syed Modi Grand Prix tourney.

Organising Committee’s evaluation on track, final decision awaited

The Commonwealth Games Federation Co-Ordination Commission (COCOM) continued its evaluation of the progress made by the Organising Committee (OC) of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games for the second day on Tuesday as a part of its three-day meet.

In the first session on Tuesday, the COCOM reviewed the financial status and the cash flow linked to major procurement and delivery requirements, along with procurement schedules and arrangements.

It also reviewed the presentations of the major Functional Areas like transport, security, marketing, licensing and communication, overlays, accreditation, sport (competition and operations), and testing and readiness.

COCOM will have more meetings on Wednesday with more Functional Areas of the OC, including technology and ticketing.

It will also have a review with the different stakeholders — the Ministry of Sports and the Government of the National Capital Territory Region of Delhi.

CGF president Mike Fennell is due to arrive here on Wednesday and the COCOM will submit its report to him within 48 hours of the final-day meet.

Loughborough University swimmer Joe Roebuck breaks British records

JOE ROEBUCK has vowed to dominate the long-course circuit next year after jetting home with two British records but no medals from the European Short Course Championships in Istanbul.

After finishing sixth in the 200m medley on the opening day, the Loughborough University student battled against a ripped swimsuit to lower the national 400m medley record to 4min 1.73sec on the way to fourth a day later.

The 24-year-old bagged his second consecutive fourth-place finish when he clocked 1.51.27 in the 200m butterfly, breaking James Hickman's 11-year-old mark in the process.

After twice going within touching distance of the podium, Roebuck is desperate to make the step up at next year's Commonwealth Games.

He said: "I finished with another personal best and another British record and I was just outside the medals again.
"But I've had three events and I've made three finals and, if it wasn't for the swimsuit ripping, I'd have had a medal.

"I'm convinced I would have got silver at least, but that's something I can make amends for next year. I want to go to the Commonwealth Games and I want to win the 400m medley.

"I want to take this form into the long-course season and I want to make myself a force to be reckoned with there."

Fellow Loughborough student Rachel Lefley is aiming to join Roebuck on the plane to India after setting four lifetime bests on her GB debut in Turkey.

The 19-year-old clocked 27.82sec in the 50m backstroke before swimming 27.74sec when leading off the women's 4x50m medley relay team.

Lefley also took a chunk out of her 100m backstroke mark during the heats before repeating the feat in her unsuccessful bid for a final spot, clocking 59.33sec.

Lefley said: "There is going to be a lot of competition for the Commonwealth Games but I'll be giving it everything to get there. Hopefully the experience of Istanbul will stand me in good stead."

Craig Gibbons signed off from Turkey by helping Team British Gas set a British record en-route to sixth in the 4x50m freestyle final.

Gibbons joined Matt Clay, Charles Turner and Ian Hulme to clock 1.25.41 in the final won by France.

British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: 'From paddling pool to podium'.

Gambia: Nation Parties With Queen's Baton

The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi continued to spark enormous interest in India and the XIX Commonwealth Games to be hosted next year as it engaged the Gambians for the second day running on Saturday.

With Minister for Youth and Sports Mr Sheriff Gomez leading the way and with the Indian Counsul in Gambia Mr Arun Kumar Jain taking part in the activities for the second straight day, the baton touched the lives of thousands of Gambians. Mr Gomz set off the day's proceedings by starting a relay that saw as many as 40 vehicles, led by a truck which had loads of people dancing to the rhythm of Indian music. The locals welcomed the baton with the incessant beat of the sabarr drums. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm for the baton as the crowd kept increasing with each passing minute. After a two-hour relay, the baton was handed over to the Lord Mayor of Banjul City Council Mr Samba Faal, with locals dancing joyously. After a musical hour, the baton moved to Denton Bridge which is the border between Banjul City Council and Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) where KMC Mayor Mr Yankuba Colley received it.

A formal handing over was done on the bridge against the backdrop of the backwaters of the Atlantic Ocean. The baton was then taken to the picturesque Camalou Corner, which is locally known as Stink Corner and has marshy cultivation on one side and mangroves and tidal creeks on the other. Later, as many as 35 corporate entities including Safari Motors, SARA Trading, Shell Invest, Royal Enterprise, BB Enterprise & MP Trading, took part in the relay before the baton headed to an area that had a dominant Indian presence. Gambian Commonwealth Games Association Vice President Ms Beatrice Allen, Mr Arun Kumar Jain and Honorary Consul General of India in the Gambia Mr Ram Mohan received it.

Nearly 200 Indian families dressed in traditional attire participated in the relay before it was time for the baton to be taken around Kairaba Beach Hotels for interaction with nationals from various countries. Some 6000 people took part in relay where dance and music featured prominently. The Consulate General of India in The Gambia hosted a well attended dinner in honour of the baton.

Security cover in Agra to be enhanced during 2010 Commonwealth Games: Govt.

The Government on Tuesday said that it proposes to enhance security cover in Agra during the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in the national capital.

Buzz up!
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, said: "The Uttar Pradesh Police has been sensitized regarding the need to augment security arrangements around the Taj Mahal."


"Further Haryana Government has also been advised to make adequate security arrangements along the National Highways, in their jurisdiction, to ensure the safety and security of Games family members and tourists during their visits to Agra during the Commonwealth Games," he added.

The Minister also said that the Centre has advised Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Governments to assess and augment security arrangements to ensure safe and secure Commonwealth Games.

"A mechanism is in place to review the security arrangements in the NC Region as a whole. The security arrangements and requirements are being reviewed on a regular basis," Ramachandran said. (ANI)

Hero Honda the latest to back Delhi 2010

Hero Honda Motors is the latest sponsor to sign on with the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi next year.

The world's largest motorcycle manufacturer will be the presenting partner for the national sector of the Queen's Baton Relay. The relay, run along the same principle as the Olympic Torch relay, begins at Buckingham Palace when the Queen of England passes the baton to the first runner. It then crosses the Commonwealth before being handed back to the Queen or her representative at the opening ceremony of the Games.

"We are delighted to have Hero Honda as a partner for the Commonwealth Games 2010 and as the presenting partner for the Queen's Baton Relay - National Sector," said organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi. "The Queen's Baton will enter India from the Wagha Border after completing a journey of 170,000km across all Commonwealth countries. The baton would spread the message of 'Peace through Sports' as it enters India from Pakistan. Hero Hondo would play a prominent role in greeting the baton in India and also when the baton traverses the entire length and breadth of the country."

More government money goes on Commonwealth Games

Pawan Munjal, chief executive of Hero Honda, added: "We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious global event in our country's sporting history. Sports have always been an integral part of Hero Honda's cultural fabric. The company is committed to promoting sports within the country with the objective of seeing India emerge as a global superpower in sports."

Work on Western Corridor on time; left out projects on anvil

The Lok Sabha today passed the Appropriation (Railway) Bill, 2009, with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee assuring that work on the Western Corridor was on schedule and left out projects like modernisation of the railway platforms in view of the Commonwealth Games and making tickets available at post offices will begin soon in right earnest.

Replying to the debate, Ms Banerjee acknowledged that there was delay in beginning certain projects but was categorical that her Ministry will spare no effort to commence these as soon as possible.

Ms Banerjee said as soon as the work was complete, the projects relating to the Eastern Corridor would begin. Reacting to critics that she was taking the work on the Eastern Corridor more seriously than the other Corridors, Ms Banerjee said such allegations had no substance and for her the mandate was India, not any particular section.

"Is it my fault that if I am from the East?" Ms Banerjee remarked.

The Minister's speech was characteristic of her, not hitting hard at her critics and Opposition parties, but taking everybody along with her. At one point, pointing to Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, she said, "Sir, you know how much time it takes to get an infrastructure project started." In another remark, she said,"Railway is my family, its employees will work for you(members). You take care of them." At another juncture she said,"It is not a concern to which party a Member belongs. He is a Member of the House whose dignity and honour I hold dear." She told the Members of the Left that she can go on to tell the projects which the CPI-M-led West Bengal government was handing over to the private sector and thus their charge that her Ministry was favouring public-private partnership projects to benefit private parties held no ground. "Will the money fall from the sky for the ambitious infrastructure projects of the Railways? If we don't undertake projects on the PPP mode they will never see the light of the day." Typical of her, Ms Banerjee's speech was missing in terms of many figures and too many hard facts. Her response often was emotional and appealing rather than taking on the adversaries.

MAMC to take care of 2010 Games athletes' dental health

Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) was Tuesday entrusted the task to attend to dental emergency and to provide complete dental healthcare to over 7,000 athletes and delegates during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), which is a part of the MAMC, will also set up its base in Talkatora Stadium and National Stadium during the mega sports event in October next year.
Apart from the designated hospitals and Games Village, emergency health service facilities will also be set up at the Games stadiums like National Stadium, where hockey will be played, and Talkatora Indoor Stadium where boxing will take place. Both are dangerous sports and need medical attention. The emergency services will be backed by well equipped ambulances, medical surgeons and support staff, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

The other areas of health emergency services will be covered by G.B.Pant hospital. Apart from these nodal health care centres, a state of the art well-equipped, round-the-clock polyclinic will be set up at the Commonwealth Games village."

These facilities will be operational a day before the Village opens until one day after the Village is officially closed, Dikshit said after inaugurating a dental health fair at MAMC campus.

MAIDS principal Mahesh Verma said: The hospital is ready for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. There shall be two operating dental chairs and two dental surgeons posted round the clock in three shift duties. Besides, one Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon shall be on call to take care of trauma of the head at the Games Village.