Delhi paints for 'green' CWG

New Delhi, Mar 22 : Hundreds of sports lovers besieged the India gate lawns here to paint their heart out for the success of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) beginning from October 3.

Led by eminent painters Satish Gujral and Jatin Das, Delhi-ites painted a 200-foot long canvas to mark the milestone event '200 Days-to-Go' for the Games. Green Games was the underlined theme for the paintings on the 200-foot long canvas.

Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, said "As we get closer to the start of the Games, our sense of anticipation and excitement as well as our confidence that we can deliver the best Games ever grows."

"I take this opportunity to renew our commitment to producing a successful Games. The 200 day-to-go milestone event marks the appreciation to the spirit of the games amongst the people of Delhi and the whole nation. The 200-foot canvas that is being painted by eminent cultural personalities of Delhi will be put on display at a suitable place during the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010," he added.

Satish Gujral stroked the first brush on the canvas inaugurating the gala celebrations.

"I consider it a great occasion for the country and I am happy and proud to be part of the Games," said Gujral.


Several artists, budding painters as well as children participated in large numbers. Their colourful brush strokes brought to life the 200ft canvas which saw a rich kaleidoscope of themes and representations of what the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi mean for each and every Delhi-ite.

Painter Prem Singh through his painting tried to communicate that, "Sports Unite - That is what mankind aspires."

Painter Shruti Gupta Chandra said, "I am very proud to have participated in this event. This is a great platform to express what the Commonwealth Games signify to each one of us and the tremendous turn-out stands proof of this."

The days celebrations at the India Gate lawns culminated with a Kite Flying festival where 200 kites of various shapes and sizes packed the sky. The kites that were designed to portray the Delhi 2010 look and carrying the slogan 200-days-to-go were flown by the citizens of Delhi and professional kite flyers, finally marked the culmination of the day-long event.