India to host the 24th Commonwealth Games
The King’s representative, Prince Edward, formally declared the Games closed. “Thank you for the way you have participated, hosted and supported these Games. Today, you have once again brought the spirit and values of the Commonwealth to life. Thank you, Glasgow.” I invite athletes from all countries and regions to come to Ahmedabad, India, where the 24th Commonwealth Games will be held in four years, which is also the centenary edition of these Games.
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A tribute to India
Jasmine Lamboria, who won the gold medal in the women’s 57kg boxing category, was India’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony. The ceremonial flag handover ceremony began with a symbolic procession of the Commonwealth Games flag through the complex. The procession, led by the flag bearers of Scotland and India, lowered the folded Games flag.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, then handed over the Commonwealth Games to Scotland Vice-President Susan Jackson, Scottish netball player Emily Nicol, Commonwealth Games President Dr Donald Rukare, two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha and finally Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi. With this, the hosting responsibility was officially handed over from Scotland to India. The ceremony then became a celebration of India’s cultural heritage.
The world saw Indian culture
India’s presentation consisted of three parts, which took the audience on a journey that the organisers described as a celebration of shared values, culture and interconnectedness. The concept was ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which is in line with the ideals of unity and friendship of the Commonwealth. The first performance celebrated the 150th anniversary of India’s national anthem ‘Vande Mataram’ and was led by actress Manushi Chillar.
Hundreds of dancers presented a vibrant picture of India’s diversity, accompanied by stunning digital visuals, while singer Shankar Mahadevan’s heart-warming music combined the grandeur of the orchestra with Indian musical traditions. The performance aimed to present India as a culture that welcomes the world through its diverse languages, customs and artistic traditions. Ahmedabad was introduced to an international audience through a specially created film.
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Indian and Scottish singers performed
The second performance focused on music, the strongest link between India and Scotland. Indian sitar player Rishabh Sharma and Scottish musician Ross Ainslie mesmerized the audience with their unique cultural juggling act of sitar and Scottish pipes.
In the finale, Shankar Mahadevan returned to the stage with his sons, Siddharth and Shivam, and they performed some of India’s superhit songs like ‘Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walaan’, ‘Bhaag Milkha’, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ and ‘Lahra Do’. Gujarati playback singer Bhumi Trivedi gave a special performance on behalf of the host state. Glasgow presented a programme of Scottish music, poetry and dance at the farewell ceremony.