A dazzling laser show and a musical extravaganza tonight marked the grand finale of the Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event hosted by India which crowned itself with sporting glory by winning an unprecedented 101 medals.
The laser beams and fireworks as part of 160-minute closing ceremony was the main attraction at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium filled to capacity of 60,000 cheering sports lovers.
from 71 countries 5000 athletes had sportingly competed for 826 medals of which India won 101, including 38 gold, its highest ever, to be the second in the tally behind Australia with a total of 177.
Prince Edward, patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, formally declared the 19th edition closed amid thunderous cheers from the audience.
Reading out the closure statement, the Prince said, "In the name of the Commonwealth Games Federation, I proclaim the XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 closed.
"In accordance with tradition I call upon the sportsmen and sportswomen of the Commonwealth to assemble in four years time in Glasgow, Scotland, there to celebrate the XX Commonwealth Games."
The Indian national anthem was played as the packed stand stood up in respect to mark the beginning of the closing ceremony.
The tradition of the country's martial arts Performed by Martial team.
The tunes of Vande Mataram performed by school children paid tribute to the motherland
Flags of the 71 participating nations with ace shooter Gagan Narang holding the Indian tricolour entered the field together as one big contingent,
Saina Nehwal, who won the singles badminton title this morning, accompanied Narang during the flag's march-past. Athletes march-past followed as the biggest Indian contingent danced in jubilation while entering the arena.
The official mascot of the Games, Shera, was given an emotional farewell as he went around the stadium accompanied by singer Shaan.
Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi in is speech said the Games had given a new beginning to Indian sports.
Scottish performers soon took the centrestage proudly showcasing their country's spirit, culture and heritage in a 10-minute Glasgow segment.
In between, the Games president, Fennell, presented the David Dixon Award Jamaican triple jumper gold medallist Trecia Smith.
In all-praise of Delhi, Games president also said, "Delhi you have delivered a truly exceptional Games. Thank you Delhi," as the 12-day sporting spectacle was declared closed by Prince Edward.
Soon a seven-minute laser show accompanied by heart-thumping music was the order of the day.
A 30-minute segment titled 'Music of Universal Love' featuring renowned Indian singers and musicians mesmerized the crowd in the final leg of the ceremony.
It began with DJs performing with 1000 dancers on five stages of the field in an electrifying atmosphere with a 25 stacks of speakers blaring 500,000 Watts of sound.
Musicians Taufique Qureshi, dhol players Kamal Sabri, Niladri Kumar, Bikram Ghosh, Sivamani and Raghav Sachar performed in the event.
There was also further entertainment from singers Kailash Kher, Zila Khan, Sukhwinder, Ila Arun, Usha Uthup, Shiamak Davar, Shankar Mahadevan, Shubha Mudgal, Sunidhi Chauhan and Sreeram who belted out some Indian chartbursters.
The above Stamp Released during the 86 th session of IOC held in India
