Heads of state, royalty, who is who of world sport joined thousands and thousands of commoners at the dazzling inaugural ceremony of the biggest-ever Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
Heading the galaxy of foreign dignitaries was president of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed and Prince of Monaco Albert II. Adding more royal touch to the Games was the Prince Charles along with Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles.
International Olympic Association president Jacques Rogge was also present and so was Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennel. New Zealand governor general Sir Anand Satyanand too made it to the gala opening ceremony.
Leading the Indian VVIP list was president Pratibha Patil accompanied by her husband Devisingh Shekhawat.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur came well in advance of the beginning of the Opening Ceremony. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her son and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were also present to take part.
Also seen in the VIP enclosure was former president APJ Abdul Kalam, who received a rousing applause as his face was beamed on the giant screens. Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshit, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi were also present.
Many VIPs and UPA ministers were also seen clapping as one event after the other unfolded during the three-hour ceremony.
