Global Games event

Suresh Kalmadi has been sacked as the Chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee with immediate effect

2011-01-24T03:13:00.000-08:00

Finally after a long wait Suresh Kalmadi has been sacked as the Chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee with immediate effect. Kalmadi was asked to hand over charge to CEO Jarnail Singh on Monday by Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken.

Along with Kalmadi the Secretary General of the Organising Committee with Lalit Bhanot has also been removed
The sports ministry quoted that that the decision has been taken in the interest of impartial investigation into the alleged cases of corruption related to Commonwealth Games.

Medal tally top 10 at Asiad Games 2010

2010-11-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

India as on today 17th Novemeber 2010 is not even in top 10 in medal tally at Asian games
Countries ahead India in Medal Tally are

Rank Name of country

1 China
2 R.O. Korea
3 Japan
4 DPR Korea
5 Iran
6 Chinese Taipei
7 Uzbekistan
8 Hong Kong, China
9 Malaysia
10 Kazakhstan
11 India

India has so far bagged 13 medals

16th Asian games kicks off in Guangzhou China

2010-11-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

12th November Asian games kicks off in Guangzhou , China with an spectacular opening ceremony.
This event was held at Haixinsha Island in Guangzhou.
The majority of the event would be held at following venues

Guangzhou International Sports Arena
Aoti Tennis Centre
Aoti Aquatics Centre
Haizhu Sports Centre
Guanggong Cricket Stadium
Guangzhou Chess Institute
Asian Games Town Gymnasium
Guangzhou Velodrome
Nansha Gymnasium
Guangti Gymnasium
Guangzhou Shotgun Centre
Huangpu Sports Centre Gymnasium

Congress distances itself from Suresh Kalmadi

2010-11-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

Though its still early to say about the level to which Suresh kalmadi is gulity , but congress party on Tuesday accepted the resignation of SUresh Kalmadi as secretary of its Parliamentary Party, seeking to distance itself from the OC chairman of CWG in the wake of allegations of corruption.

CWG 2010 Opening ceremony Video

2010-10-04T11:02:00.001-07:00

CWG 2010 Opening ceremony Video

Commonwealth games deploy Langur monkey for security

2010-09-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

Commonwealth games deploy Langur monkey for security

Delhi authorities are to deploy a contingent of langurs -- a large type of monkey -- at Commonwealth Games venues to help chase away smaller simians from the sporting extravaganza.

From Wednesday, 10 langurs will be put on duty outside Games venues in the Indian capital, with the boxing and hockey stadiums seen as particularly vulnerable to monkey misbehavior, an official said.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has a regular team of 28 langurs which are used to scare away their weaker brethren in VIP areas of the city, but 10 more have been brought in from the neighbouring state of Rajasthan.

Four of them will be posted outside the boxing complex with their handlers, while another four will patrol the hockey complex. Two have been kept in reserve to respond in the event of an emergency.

"They are there for the monkey problem. They will be moving outside the stadiums," Devender Prasad, an inspector from the enforcement department of the NDMC, told AFP.

While 100,000 security guards have been deployed to counter potential threats from militants, authorities here have turned to rented to thwart any monkey threat to the starting on Sunday.

Monkeys are a menace in some parts of the Indian capital, especially east Delhi, and one such attack in 2007 led to the death of the then deputy mayor S S Bajwa who fell from a terrace and eventually succumbed to injuries.

The grey langur, a giant monkey with a black face, is a popular antidote to the monkey threat and the (NDMC) is using the old trick to scare away the primates.

The langurs are a common feature in some of the office buildings in Delhi and most of the trainers hail from the state of Rajasthan.

Apart from monkeys, rats are a major concern in the city but the Municipal Corporation of Delhi launched a drive, armed with 600 rat traps and 100kg of rat-killers, to clear the venues of the rodents.

Delhi is also reeling under a dengue fever outbreak with more than 3,000 cases reported so far this year.

Stagnant pools at some of the Games venues were found breeding mosquitoes and the organisers released mosquito-eating fish in the water at the Games Village and are carrying out daily fogging there

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes 5

2010-09-29T10:52:00.001-07:00

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes 2

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes -4

2010-09-29T10:50:00.001-07:00

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes 2

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes -3

2010-09-29T10:48:00.001-07:00

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes -3

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes 2

2010-09-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes 2

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes

2010-09-29T10:43:00.001-07:00

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi: Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes

Hop-on, hop-off buses for CWG (HOHO Buses)

2010-09-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hop-on, hop-off buses
As the Commonwealth Games is at the peak, the first hop-on-hop-off bus service was flagged off by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday, Sep 27 to offer Commonwealth Games visitors “perfect introduction” to Delhi.

The bus will ply in all the important tourist destinations including monuments, museums and popular markets.

“The bus service will take visitors across the city. It is a very special service and I hope people will like it,” Ms. Dikshit said.

Modelled with best facilities, the starting point of the hop-on-hop-off service will be the Baba Kharag Singh Marg in Connaught Place.

All the 14 ‘Hoho’ buses are spacious, air-conditioned and have on-board entertainment facilities. Every bus has a guest relations executive who will give tourists information about all the sites which are part of the tour.

Ms. Dikshit said the number of buses may be increased in future depending on the response of tourists.

The ‘Hoho’ service is a joint venture between DTTDC, Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions Pvt Ltd and Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd (UMTC).

“Hoho buses follow a loop system, which is organised in such a way that these buses continuously move on a fixed route all day long. So one can board or get off a bus at any of the earmarked points on the way,” said another official.

Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes

2010-09-29T10:27:00.001-07:00

Some pictures from commonwealth which missed the Media eyes

SRK gives a positive message for CWG

2010-09-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

SRK gives a positive message for CWG

2010-09-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

Bad news for schoolchildren. With schools having to close during the Commonwealth Games in October, summer vacations will become shorter this year.

The Delhi Govt has decided to keep the schools closed during the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games. The decision has been taken so that traffic congestion can be managed during that time.Delhi has been busy creating Commonwealth Games infrastructure, roads, metro rail links, etc for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. however, traffic congestion is something which has till now found no solutions. You go out on some of the most common roads in Delhi, and you can remain stuck for hrs during peak times. In an effort to bring down the congestion on roads, Delhi Govt has now decided to keep the schools in Delhi closed for the entire duration of Commonwealth Games. For students, this would like seem like Winter Holidays, which generally start in Dec, has started early.

Commonwealth Games are being held from 3rd of Oct to 14th Oct, that is from Sun to next week’s Thursday. So, from Oct 1st to Oct 17th, Delhi school kids will have a holiday. Maybe, it’s time for them to start planning their holidays from now. In return hiowever, they can expect a shorter summer vacation next year.
Most schools have decided to shorten the summer break by a week to accommodate the extra holidays from October 1 to 17 later this year. A shorter break in this extreme heat may not please students but there’s some relief in store. Schools may give less homework considering the duration of the vacations. Schools have to close for more than two weeks during the Games. Since they close for Dussehra for a week or 10 days in October, they were required to accommodate an extra week of holiday in their academic calendar. ‘‘We are adjusting that extra week of holidays, in addition to the Dussehra break in October, by cutting down on the summer vacations,’’ said Ameeta Mulla Wattal, principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road, where vacations will start from May 16 instead of May 8 like last year. Gyan Bharati School, Saket, is largely following the schedule provided by the government. It will close on May 15 and reopen on June 28. ‘‘The government has made it compulsory for all schools to shut down during the Games. So we are mostly following the calendar provided by them. They wanted schools to reopen on June 26 but as it is a Saturday, we will resume classes on June 28,’’ said director R C Shekhar. Lata Vaidyanathan, principal, Modern School, Barakhamba Road, said: ‘‘We have shortened the summer break by a week. Though we usually close down for summer from May 7 every year, this year we will break for vacation from May 15.’’ Schools have to complete at least 210 working days in one academic session. So many schools are even keeping an option of extending or truncating the winter vacation depending on the weather. L V Sehgal, principal, Bal Bharati School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, said: ‘‘We have shortened the summer vacations by six days. The winter break may get slightly shorter if the need arises.’’ So It's really a bad news for making long holiday trips

CWG Lanes Rules and effective working

2010-09-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

Provision of CWG Lanes

Delhi Traffic Police to provide dedicated lanes on all identified routes.

Dedicated lanes will be provided from the Airport to the Games Village and Games family hotels.

Dedicated lanes will also be provided from Games Village to competition venues.

As Games Family Hotels are located

Management of CWG Lanes

CWG lanes will have a distinct identity by marking the roads with a distinct colour and Games Logo.

The lanes will generally be on extreme right except on certain stretches.

Intersection management –The games traffic will be facilitated by manual regulation of traffic at important intersections.

Duration –The lanes will be operational throughout the Games period.

Time of Operation will be notified on daily basis depending on the schedule of events.

MODALITIES OF GAMES LANE

It has been decided that at most of the roads Games lane will be along the Central Verge (bothsides) exept at a few places.

Arrows will be painted every 200 meters.

Base of the lane will be dark blue. The logos of CWG will be in white and there will be yellow line on both sides.

Where ever there is a lane change, it will be marked as lane changing zone, left to right or right to Left.

Lane changing zones will have signages at four different stages.

Regulation & Enforcement of CWG Lanes

Deployment of manpower

Traffic officers

Lane monitors

Motorcycle patrolling

Volunteers

Mass awareness campaign through media.

SMS alert service

Web Site

Newspaper, TV & Radio.

Face book and Twitter

Mode of segregation.

Road markings and Signages.

Physical segregation with bollards & barricades etc. where necessary.

Use of onsite & mobile public address system.

Punitive Measures

Notification for fine of Rs. 2000/ impounding of vehicle under the existing legal provisions for enforcing lane segregation.

Traffic dossier during Commonwealth Games

2010-09-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

ASSESSMENT

Large number of dignitaries and invitees would arrive to attend the Opening & Closing Ceremonies and other events at JLN Sports Complex and at other venues respectively.

Thousands of spectators and guests from across the world will witness these mega events.

This generates a massive volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.Elaborate arrangements are required to be made to regulate traffic in and around the JLN Sports Complex and other venues.

OBJECTIVES

To ensure seamless movement for all games related traffic including VIP movements.

To allow the normal city traffic with minimal dislocation.

Parking and traffic circulation arrangements at all venues, including media centre,

airports, railway stations, ISBTs, hotels and places of tourists interest etc.

Promoting use of public transport.

Development and operation of Public Awareness Programme.

Traffic Management Plan for Games Traffic

Dedicated Commonwealth Games lane.

Routes:-

Airport to Games Village.

Games Village to Competition Venues.

Games Family Hotels to Competition Venues (via Central Spine).

Park & Ride and Park & Walk schemes.

Route and Traffic diversion for road events.

Drop off & Pick-up points for spectators.

Pedestrian corridors to venues.

A R Rehman releases official song for Commonwealth Games

2010-08-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

A R Rehman releases official song for Commonwealth Games.

Here is the first vocals of A R Rehman song for the commonwealth Games.

The momentum is now picking up

No kissing No Hugging during CWG 2010

2010-08-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

The organizing comity for commonwelath games 2010 Delhi has recently issued a guide line for people coming to watch the commonwealth games and making kissing and hugging during the games, talking on religion, indecent clothing, stairring non permissible.

The visitors to Delhi during the games would have to adhere to the dress norm keeping in view the local culture and tradition.The advisory and educate guide has been put on the website of the CWG

"The Western practice of a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting a lady or a grown up girl is JUST NOT DONE when you are in India unless you happen to be in 'Westernized Indian' circles ... If you find the lady is not extending a hand shake, go for the Namastey," reads one of the advisory."Be aware that public displays of affection (hugging, kissing) are generally not appreciated. However, it is common to see men showing affection and camaraderie on the roads and in villages throughout the country," it added.

"If somebody has invited you home for dinner, carry with you a bottle of wine accompanied by a bouquet of flowers or at least a box of sweets or chocolate bar for the children ... People usually take their shoes off before entering a house and putting feet on the furniture is considered bad manners," it reads.

There are also tips of eating behavior and what to discuss in public.

"Politics can be freely discussed in India and most people will have an opinion which they will not mind being contradicted, but avoid discussing religion.

"If eating Indian style, with the hands, it is useful to remember that it is considered impolite to use the left hand for eating," it says.

But of all the tips, one that takes the walk is lessons on Indian toilets for the travelers.

"In India, public toilet facilities are few and far between and outside of the hotels and restaurants can be of dubious cleanliness. We recommend taking every opportunity you can to use a clean toilet in hotels and restaurants and that you carry tissues/wet wipes with you," it read.

Also if you thought of driving in the Indian roads, think twice because it is India and traffic congestion here can give you a torrid time.

"For your safety, we suggest that you do not hire transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators. We can provide you all types of transportation at very reasonable prices. Self-drive cars though available are not recommended as it is not advisable for you to drive on the Indian roads with all the traffic," it read.

Indians are curious by nature, so if you are stared at, please don't mind. It is just curiosity, says another tips.

"Even in the most cosmopolitan of cities in India the chances are that your different appearance might mean that you will be stared at, though this especially happens in the smaller towns and more remote areas. Please do not be offended no harm is meant, it is just curiosity," the advisory adds.

The Commonwealth Express to reach capital on wednesday

2010-08-22T05:40:00.001-07:00

The Commonwealth Express, a special exhibition train designed to promote the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, will reach to reach capital on Wednesday August 25 on the Kerala leg of its nation-wide journey.

The train also has Exhibition on wheels showcases Commonwealth Games memorabilia Exhibition open for public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 25 and 26.

The train that was flagged off from Delhi on June 24 has 11 coaches – five of which feature rare Commonwealth Games memorabilia, and six of which are devoted to showcasing Information Technology.

The train, which is coming from Madurai in Tamil Nadu, will halt here for two days before proceeding to Kollam on August 27 and to Ernakulam on August 28. The exhibition will be open for public on these dates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. After August 28, the train will return to Delhi via Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

“By endorsing ICT through Commonwealth Express, Indian Railways has taken the initiative of spreading the essence of IT to the citizens who are not yet exposed to the opportunities generated by the sector. We are also leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Kerala's IT journey is highlighted through this exhibition,” Rathan Kelkar, Director, Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) told a press conference.

“Indian Railways' e-governance initiatives are commendable, like e-ticketing and Corporate Wide Information System (CWIS). It is a role model for other organisations in implementing e-governance successfully,” said Mervin Alexander, CEO, Technopark.

The Commonwealth Express is being run jointly by the Ministry of Railways through its Railway Sports Promotion Board and the Ministry of Communication & Information Technology.

M. Nanda Kumar, Director, Department of Information and Public Relations; Korath V. Mathew, Director, Akshaya; and Elizabeth Sherly, Director, Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management – Kerala, were present at the press conference.

Rs 18 cr tickets for Commonwealth Games sold through IRCTC

2010-08-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

Notwithstanding the recent controversies engulfing the Commonwealth Games, over Rs 18 crore worth of tickets for the sporting event have been sold so far, an official said. "We have so far sold tickets worth $ four million," IRCTC's General Manager-Operations, Sanjay Aggarwal, told PTI in Mumbai.

IRCTC had in March this year bagged the contract to be the official online ticketing agency for the games to be held between October 3-14 in New Delhi.

Aggarwal said the maximum number of tickets sold are for the opening and the closing ceremonies of the sporting extravaganza.

"It is obvious...more than the individual event venues, sales for the grand ceremonies are higher...you have spectacular events and artistes like AR Rehman performing at the ceremonies," he said.

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are priced between Rs 750-Rs 50,000 each. For individual sporting disciplines, the ticket denominations are between Rs 100 and Rs 1,000 per seat.

When asked if the recent controversies would dent the sales of tickets, Aggarwal said, "anything you say on the Games becomes a controversy these days."

The organisers said approximately 22 lakh tickets are available for sale and estimated that it would generate Rs 120 crore in revenue.

Aggarwal chose not to comment when asked about how have the sales fared in the last fortnight since allegations of corruptions surfaced.

Source: Hindustan Times

Delhi -The flyover city

2010-08-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

Cheif minister Sheila Dikshit today said visitors of the CWG 2010 will remember Delhi as a city of flyovers.

Addressing a function after formally dedicating two new flyovers at South Delhi, Dikshit said she was confident of completing all the road infrastructure projects well in time which will provide uninterrupted connectivity in the city.

"There would be a signal-free road from Nehru Place to IGI Airport by November this year as a third flyover on Outer Ring Road will be commissioned next month," Dikshit said.

She dedicated two flyovers to Delhiites -- one at the Africa Avenue and Aruna Asaf Ali Marg intersection and the other one at the Rao Tula Ram Marg and Benito Juarez Marg intersection.

"We are confident that the visitors during the Games would be able to carry a good impression about the city," she said adding that they will remember Delhi as city of flyovers.

Noting that hosting such a prestigious international sports event has provided an excellent opportunity to the city to undertake a large number of developmental works, she said her government was gearing up to offer the best facilities to its visitors.

Dikshit also said Delhi would become the first city in the world to have highest number of CNG low-floor buses during the Games as the fleet strength of these buses will be 3,500 by March 2010.

The city government has undertaken a comprehensive exercise to install modern street lights, improve roads and enhance greening, including giving the underneath of flyovers an attractive look, she said.

The flyovers have unique feature such as noise barriers, concrete pavement over its entire length for maintenance free and enhanced service life.

Kalmadi future after CWG

2010-08-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

This is the closest view of Kalmadi hand with his palm lines. Any guesses what his future is going to be after CWG 2010

CWG ame information at Metro stations

2010-07-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

25 Metro stations to have information kiosks
If you new to Delhi and don't know how to get around without seeking help from strangers? Your virtual guide may soon be a touch away, thanks to the Delhi Metro. All necessary information about Delhi, including its culture, history, places of tourist interest, movies and details related to the Commonwealth Games are going to be available in select underground metro stations within a couple of months.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will install interactive digital information pods (DIPs) in 25 underground metro stations ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October.

The stations where touch screen information kiosks will be installed include Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Barakhamba Road, INA, AIIMS, JLN Stadium, Vidhan Sabha, Viswavidyalaya, Chandni Chowk, Model Town, Khan Market, Race Course, Jor Bagh, New Delhi, GTB Road, Civil Lines, Chawri Bazar, Malviya Nagar, Hauz Khas, Saket, Udyog Bhawan among others.

Anuj Dayal, DMRC spokesperson said “This initiative has been taken keeping in mind the convenience of international tourists who will visit Delhi during the forthcoming Games. However, this value-added service will continue even after the Games,” .

Commonwealth Games gives new life to Tughlaq-era monument

2010-07-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

Delhi’s State Archaeological Department has recently started work on the monument, situated to the south west of the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games, among other events. Earlier, a team of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) had given approval for the stadium’s renovation work. Sources said the DUAC observations were very clear, “It (the tomb) must be retained and integrated with the stadium design. There should be no damage to the monument.” Fortunately, there has been no damage to the structure of the monument but it presents a very odd site, ensconced as it is between the strong iron girders of the renovated Stadium. The ASI had issued the preliminary notification for the monument in March 2004, along with two other structures within the JLN Stadium premises, one on the north west side called Kala Gumbad and the other, on the south west side, without a name. The agency brought out the final notification for a 16 faced unknown tomb in December 2004 but the same was not done for the remaining two tombs. “Till the time a final notification is issued, it is understood that the monument is under the state archaeology department,” said ASI spokesperson Dr B R Mani. He, however, did not give any reasons for not issuing the final notification. The State Archaeology Department’s Jaspal Singh said, “The conservation work could not have been taken up before the civil work for the stadium was completed. Now that it is complete, we have started the conservation work and we are confident of completing it in a month’s time.”