The Queen's Baton Relay starts the Commonwealth Games 2010 countdown
London, 29 October 2009

On Thursday 29th October 2009, The President of the Republic of India, Pratibha Patil and Dr Shekhawat attended the Launch of the XIX Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty, The Queen officially handed a baton to The President of India at the start of The Queen's Baton Relay from the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The relay is one of the great traditions of the Commonwealth Games - to be held in Delhi in 2010 - having been the curtain-raiser to every Games since Cardiff 1958. The event symbolises the gathering of people from across the Commonwealth at the four-yearly festival of sport and culture. Approximately 2 billion people worldwide are expected to watch the opening ceremony.

The Queen, The President of India, Dr Shekhawat and invited guests then watched the first runner in The Queen's Baton Relay leave the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The baton will pass through 70 Commonwealth nations over 340 days before reaching India for the 2010 Games in Delhi. The relay will conclude in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 3 October 2010.

Pioneering London dance company, Akademi, performed at the opening ceremony of the Queen’s Baton Relay, satging 'OM' – voices speak across time and space, an invocation to the universe embodying the sacred hymns of the Rigveda. This will be followed by Bells, in which the splendours of the Mughal court are evoked through a spirited kathak display. Finally, a world of possibility is unleashed through Initium, a ritual procession bringing together the glorious angels of good fortune and hope.

Accompanying Akademi will be the highly acclaimed Tarang, whose performances feature a stunning variety of instruments and musicians creating a new sound for Indian classical music. “We are thrilled to have been asked to perform at this historic and symbolic event which really shows how different cultures from across the globe can join together to celebrate such a unique and world-class sporting event,” said Mira Kaushik, Director of Akademi.

Akademi is a pioneering organisation that works to encourage excellence in the practice of South Asian dance in Britain, and is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. www.akademi.co.uk