India Looking To Turn Negative Tide With Competition Kickoff

New Delhi is hoping to turn the negative tide that has surrounded its preparation for the Commonwealth Games with an inauguration ceremony on Sunday which will feature live performance by an Oscar-winning artist and a gigantic helium balloon decorated with video screens, folk puppets and mirrors.

However, the number of tourists will be much less than what was being anticipated. The competition, which brings 71 nations in the British Commonwealth together, was expected to draw a large number of visitors to New Delhi. But officials claim that reports of India’s unsatisfactory preparation for the games- from the outbreak of dengue virus in the town to unmet construction deadlines- have scared off many potential visitors.

Yet, if the inauguration ceremony goes according to the plan- it will be seen in a number of Commonwealth nations- it can really help rebuild the country’s tarnished image, given that the actual competition also runs smoothly in days to come.
    
The Games inauguration ceremony will take place at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday evening. The main attraction at the show will be the gigantic "aerostat”, a balloon featuring high resolution screens that will show images to go with performances.

The ceremony will feature traditional music and dances from different parts of India. Prince Charles of Whales, who will visit New Delhi to attend the ceremony, will read out a short note from Queen Elizabeth to officially commence the event.