From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, May 20: With Commonwealth Games inching towards its date with India for the inaugural function in Delhi on October 3, the pre-game publicity mode – Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) – will be entering the country from neighbouring Pakistan at the Wagah border on June 25.

The QBR, which is commencing the crucial 100-day India leg, will be traversing roughly 20,000 kms covering almost all states and union territories, according to Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, Additional Director General QBR.

QBR was launched by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on October 29 last year in the presence of Indian President Pratibha Patil and began its journey covering 1,90,000 kms traveling all
the 71 Commonwealth nations to mobilise public interest and create publicity.

During the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi on October three, the final batonbearer would hand the baton back to Her Majesty, or Her representative, where the Queen's message that was placed on the baton some 11 months ago, would be read aloud, officially opeing the Games.

Let Gen Raj Kadyan said thesoil collected from different parts of the country and physically glued on its exterior. The baton is packed with latest technology and the customary Queen's message is laser-eteched in miniature on a gold leaf placed beneath a clear casing.

The baton captures the ambient sights and sounds and has a system of LED lights that change colour to match the colour of the flag of the host country, he explained.