Amidst numerous organizational delays and controversies, the formal countdown to the 2010 Commonwealth Games began on Thursday as the Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II presented India’s President Pratibha Patil with the baton to launch the XIX Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games outside Buckingham Palace in London.

The brief ceremony held at the Buckingham Palace portrayed India’s rich tradition through a cultural show before Queen Elizabeth II handed over the glittering baton to Patil followed by a thunderous applause.

The Queen placed her message into the baton after receiving it from Commonwealth Games Federation Michael Fennell as a host of dignitaries watched the proceedings beamed live in India.

As the proceedings were telecasted live back in the country, India’s President Pratibha Patil passed on the baton to Sports Minister of India M.S. Gill, who further handed it over to Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

From Kalmadi baton reached the hands of first baton-bearer Abhinav Bindra, India’s only Olympic Gold medallist. He handed over the baton to legendary middle-distance runner Lord Sebastian Coe.
Further the baton passed through the hands of legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, country’s most successful female tennis player Sania Mirza, flying sikh Milkha Singh, Olympic bronze medal winners boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar and also England’s first Sikh cricketer Monty Panesar among other Indian sports personalities.

After travelling to different member countries of the Commonwealth, the Baton will enter India through Wagah Border along Pakistan, 100 days before the start of the Games.

Nature has always succeeded to bewilder its inhabitants by its marvelous scenic beauty all around the globe. It has certainly bestowed its blessings on Kerela, situated in the southern part of India. Backwaters of Kerela are the most amazing, attractive and precious features treasured by this state, found no where else in the whole world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this tangled water world is navigable and used a local means of transport.

Undoubtedly, roving in a houseboat (Ketuvalloms) listening to the sound of rippling water passing just below can make anyone awestruck. The serenity of the place forms boundless divine connection bringing your mind in sink with the body’s soul.

Experiencing the meadows, infinite countryside, swaying palm trees, emerald rice fields, beaches, transports you to an unforgettable paradise. Known as “god’s own country” it definitely delivers the best it has stored in itself.

The experience enchants your mind in many ways and proves itself to be a blissful holiday destination. This tempting tourist site enthralls the magic of heavens. A visit will satisfy all your requirement constraints. Have a memorable trip!

India has experienced the elephant dung sale as famous as selling hot cake at the famous annual cattle fair. Although this is being sold for use as a mosquito repellent as well as fuel. The demand is high for elephant dung as a mosquito repellent has made it much sought after at this cattle fair, about 35 km from Bihar capital Patna. Being the cheapest form of mosquito repellent, it is like a herbal medicine sans any side effects.

It is said that as elephant dung is more effective than any other mosquito repellent available in the market, a ten kg keg is enough for a family of four to get rid of mosquitoes and keep them warm on winter nights.