Delhi Common Wealth Games In Gloom hit Kashmir

Srinagar:  As it is known that the Common Wealth Games are to be conducted this year in Delhi in the month of October. In this regard the Queen's Baton Relay for the 2010 Common Wealth Games (CWG) reached Srinagar on Tuesday. The Queen's Baton was taken to the famous Nishat Gardens where sportspersons of the Kashmir valley were present.

Covering more than 1, 70000 kms and 70 nations and starting the 100-day countdown to this year's Commonwealth Games, the Queen's Baton Relay arrived in India from Pakistan through the historic Wagah Border (Amritsar) on Friday, 25 June 2010 and would now travel all Indian states before reaching Delhi.

“We are carrying a message of peace and harmony. After all, sporting activities have no borders, no religion, and no nationality. It’s just pure...promoting tolerance, camaraderie and accommodation. That's the message we are carrying," said Lieutenant General (retired) Raj Khadyan, head of the Queens Baton Relay Run,in India said, while talking to media at Srinagar.

It is highly ironical to note that on the day of the arrival of queen’s baton to Kashmir valley, the situation in Kashmir was highly volatile on account of a wave of teenager killings allegedly by security forces and as a matter of fact even on the day of its arrival, three teenagers were shot dead allegedly by security forces in South Kashmir .The overall situation and mood on ground zero suggests that its arrival had very little meaning or significance for common masses.

Ghulam Muhammad, a commoner said, “India is going to conduct a gala mega event this year in form of the Common Wealth Games, but its policy in Kashmir is totally outdated as suppressing and killing young teenagers has become a norm out here. We have no interest in these games as we stress on Indian leadership to address the Kashmir Issue as quickly as possible”.

The realities of hour aptly suggest that masses are overwhelmed by the atmosphere of conflict and passion for mega Indian events is confined to a handful minority.