Melbourne farewell to Commonwealth Games

     Melbourne: An Indian rendezvous spell-bound the people of Melbourne as the song 'Delhi Chalo' (Let's go to Delhi) reverberated the glittering Cricket Ground, bidding farewell to the 18th Commonwealth Games. Delhi is the host of the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games. Bright colours of all possible imagination serenaded the stadium as the Indian performers that included Indian sports personalities, Bollywood beauties, artists, singers and dancers descended on the floor. The sudden splash of colours broke the monotonous blue background as stadium came alive with the beats of bhangra perfectly executed by Bollywood stars Rani Mukherjee and Saif Ali Khan, in a programme aptly titled 'Delhi Dhammal". Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra accompanied 'Shera', the mascot of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Games as the host of sporting legends from India that included Sunil Gavaskar, Milkha Singh, Kapil Dev, Prakash Padukone, P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, Michael Ferreira, Ajit Pal Singh, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Karan Singh and Satpal took part in a parade bringing with them the message of peace, friendship and love.

     Bollywood reigning queen Aisharwya Rai and debutant Isha Shravani also performed their act gracefully. Amid a rose formed by the dancers, Rai performed a dance that represented the sun while the picture of monuments of India and Delhi in particular were projected on to the main stage. Shravani in her trademark acrobatic dance stole the hearts of many in the audience. The panoramic beauty of India was there for display as songs and cultural dances moved with the parade as 800 Indian performers participated in the closing ceremony. Sonu Nigam, Shiamak Davar, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal sang the theme Delhi Chalo song as Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy rendered the music on the lyrics penned down by Gulzar. Earlier in the ceremony, Victorian Premier Steeve Bracks handed over the Commonwealth Flag to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was also present during the closing ceremony. Prince Edward formally closed the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne that brought to an end of 11 days of competition involving 4,500 athletes. Musical legend John Farnham closing song, 'You're The Voice', triggered a spectacular firework display citywide the bringing the curtain down to the 2006 edition of Commonwealth Games as the stadium was lit with the Indian tricolour.

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