Indian business delegation to visit Canada during Queen's Baton Relay

A high-powered business delegation from India will visit Canada between April 12-16 coinciding with the Queen's Baton Relay.

The delegation, consisting of members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games, aims to strengthen trade ties between Canada and India by exploring new business and economic opportunities.

Tarlochan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Media Committee, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi will represent the Organising Committee during the Queen's Baton Relay in Toronto and Ottawa as well as during all the business meetings.

The high-powered business delegation from India will hold series of meetings with Canadian business leaders from the Canada-India Business Council, Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), etc. as well as the meeting with various government departments like Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Industry, Canada, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario.

The itinerary also includes a day-long seminar on 'Re-organize for Resilience' in Ottawa. All these meetings will be organized in the backdrop of the Queen's Baton celebrations in the country.

The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi is visiting Toronto and Ottawa in Canada between April 13 - 16 and a gala reception is expected from the Canadians. On its journey across the Commonwealth nations, the baton has visited 48 nations so far.

Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi arrives to fanfare in Belize City

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi arrived to fanfare from Bahamas at the Phillip Goldson International Airport in Belize on Wednesday. Belize is the 47th country the Queen’s Baton has been to since the relay was launched at the Buckingham Palace on October 29. It is due to leave Belize on Friday for Bermuda after which it will travel to Canada.

According to The Belize Guardian, 10 members of Belize’s national cycling team hoisted the 2kg Baton high and in a scorching afternoon heat proudly led a motorcade as they rode with it from the Airport to the Stella Maris School on Princess Margaret Drive.

After a short ceremony on the Stella Maris Campus, cyclist Byron Pope handed the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi to Michael Graham who won gold in the 200m race in the 2008 Special Olympics. Graham in turn handed it to Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya-Flowers. She accepted it and said the Baton represents the heritage shared by Commonwealth countries.

On Thursday afternoon, the Mayor will formally hand the baton to Minister of Sports, Information, and Broadcasting Mr. Elvin Penner after a parade through the streets. It heads to Belmopan on April 9. On its way, it will stop briefly at the Youth Hostel at Mile 21. Thereafter, in Belmopan it will be presented to Mayor Simeon Lopez. Athletes will then relay it to the Governor General Sir Colville Young and British High Commissioner Patrick Ashworth.

Belize will be sending a contingent of 18 athletes to the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi that will be held from October 3 to 14.

Guyana expresses confidence in India's ability to conduct the Games efficiently and achieve high standards

His Excellency The President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony in their speech expressed confidence in India's ability to conduct the Games efficiently and achieve high standards in every aspect. The Indian High Commission assured the gathering about the satisfactory progress of constructions as well as India's ability to conduct the Games with complete security to all delegates and visitors.

Earlier, the Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi arrived in Geargetown, Guyana from Trinidad. It was received at the airport by the President of the Guyana Olympic Association and his team. The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi was driven under police escort to the hotel.

In the evening a reception was hosted by the Indian High Commission where H.E. the President of Guyana made a brief appearance. The Indian High Commissioner Mr Subit Mandal assured the gathering about the satisfactory progress of constructions as well as India's ability to conduct the Games with complete security to all delegates and visitors.

The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is baton’s only destination in mainland South America.

Queen's baton for 2010 Commonwealth Games unveiled

On Sunday evening, India Gate will come alive with music, fireworks and flying angels creating a symphony in mid-air. The baton for the Commonwealth relay, the Olympics equivalent of the torch relay, will be showcased for the first time in the capital before it is sent to London.

The baton, designed in Bangalore, will be unveiled by LG Tejinder Khanna in a glittering affair that will also display Commonwealth themes on the India Gate in a fascinating laser and light show. A huge stage, flanked by water screens, will be set up in front of the Amar Javan Jyoti and over 200 artists including 15 artists from UK’s famous Toll Theatre, dressed up as angels, will perform in mid-air and eventually hand over the baton to the Game’s committee members. The troupe will be performing for the first time in the country. The baton relay will start from Buckingham Palace in November this year.

Rajiv Makin, director (commercial and marketing), India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) said: “The show will be open for all. About 120 private security officials other than Delhi Police personnel have been deployed for the function. Apart from performers and the show management, there are about 300 people who are working hard to make the show a success. About 20,000 people are expected to witness the event.”

There will also be folk and classical dance performances by Indian troupes. Ganesh Natyalaya will perform bharatnatyam while the Asavari Repertory will have a kathak performance. A contemporary dance segment will be presented by the Santosh Nair group.