Glitz, glamour in Glasgow Games

Glasgow: Scotland rolled out a spectacular opening ceremony on Wednesday with dazzling and colourful display of their unique culture and heritage on a breathtaking night, which also had some Indian flavour to set the stage for the 20th Commonwealth Games.

A surprisingly subdued Glasgow suddenly sprang to life and exuberance with a three-hour mesmerising show of light and sound and colourful hues which the organisers claimed was watched by more than one billion people.

As per convention, the head of Commonwealth countries Queen Elizabeth II declared the Games Open.

"It is my greatest pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open" Her Majesty said under a blue Glasgow sky to signal Scotland's third CWG and first after 1986 when Duke of Edinburgh played host.

A host of dignitaries including British Prime Minister David Cameron, Scottish government first minister Alex Salmond and Commonwealth Games Federation President Prince Imran Tunku also added to the start of Scotland's biggest sporting event which is estimated to have cost the host country around one billion dollars.

Britain's all time most successful Olympian cyclist and a Scottish himself, Sir Chris Hoy was given the honour of presenting the Queens Baton to Her Majesty who read out her message to the Commonwealth before declaring open the Games to be competed for 11 days among 4929 athletes from 71 nations and territories of the erstwhile British Empire.

India had their slice of attention with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar turning up in a brief video clip, urging people to donate for the improvement of the living condition of children throughout the world in his role as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF, which partnered with Glasgow 2014 in a first-of-its-kind initiative. The Indian contingent headed by flag bearer and Olympic silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar led the Parade of Nations, by virtue of being hosts in 2010 Delhi edition, as the men looked dapper in black blazers and gray trousers along with head gear while the women athletes wore saris.

The 35,000 capacity Celtic stadium cheered as the Indians entered with the tune of popular Bollywood numbers 'nagada nagada' and 'pyar do' filling the Glasgow air.

The laser lights beamed the colours of the national flags of the participating countries in the nearly 50-minute Parade of Nations setting the stadium in different hues. The vibrant show began with a three minute and 40 minute section called Glasgow's countdown.

The flags of 2010 host India, current host Scotland and next edition host Australia were shown together on the giant LED screen before CGF chief Imran Tunku, 2014 Glasgow chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin and chief executive Michael Cavanagh was called on the centre of Main Performance Arena.

It was then Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth who made a dramatic entry into the stadium along with the Duke of Edinburgh in her Royal car after Susan Boyle's "Mull of Kintyre" number gave way to the 'Pipe and Drums' of the Scottish Regiment.
The athletes then arrived led by Scottish terriers as team name bearers along with their handlers followed by flag bearers. India came out first being the host of the last edition as the Asian countries entered the stadium first followed by those from Oceania, Africa, Caribbean, Americas and Europe with host country Scotland coming out last.

Rod Stewart then performed 'Can't Stop Me Now' for the athletes and then walked down off the stage to perform among the athletes. Libby Clegg, world medallist athlete with a visual impairment took the oath on behalf of athletes while Donald McIntosh and wrestling technical official Victor Keelan took oath on behalf of the technical officials.