QBR's Tamil Nadu schedule finalised

The Queen’s Baton Relay, popularly known by its acronym QBR, has been on an amazing journey across the globe. Launched by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 29 October 2009, in the august presence of the President of India, it is scheduled to cover 1, 90,000 km and travel to all the 71 Commonwealth nations.  In its 340 days journey, it will connect with over two billion people.  A massive exercise in planning and execution the QBR is being monitored, controlled and guided by the control room set up at Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Headquarters in New Delhi. It offers the biggest marketing opportunity for India.

Having moved through Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Americas, it is now in Oceania.  Wherever the baton has visited its historical journey has created unprecedented waves of excitement and hype. The baton, which is the centre piece of the QBR, has been the cynosure of all eyes.  With soil collected from different parts of the country and physically glued on its exterior, the baton carries the soul and spirit of India. It is packed with the latest technology and the customary Queen’s message is laser-etched 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 flag of the host country. 

After its long international journey the QBR will enter India on 25 June 2010 from Pakistan at the Wagah border. A hundred-day, 20,000 km journey across India will be an exciting event to watch out for. It will travel to all the States and Union Territories of India, using different modes of transportation and connecting with maximum population. This will be the longest domestic journey of the Queen’s Baton Relay in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

During the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi on 3 October 2010 the final Batonbearer will 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, will be removed and read aloud, officially opening the Games.

The baton will be in Tamil Nadu during August 2010. It will be in Chennai on 18th August and will travel to Thanjavur, Rameshwaram, Madurai and Kanyakumari from 22nd to 26th August. Coimbatore and Ootacamund will be visited between 30th August and 1st September 2010. 

It is an ideal opportunity for States to showcase their history, rich culture and developmental activities. An inter State competition will be organized and the winner will be declared at the time of the Opening Ceremony.