Queen, Indian President launch Commonwealth baton relay

Indian President Pratibha Patil joined Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday to launch the 2010 Commonwealth Games baton relay - described as the longest and most inclusive in history - at a gala Indian ceremony at the Buckingham Palace.

The 51-year-old tradition - a curtain-raiser to the Commonwealth Games that are held every four years - took place on the last day of Patil's three-day state visit to Britain, with the Queen formally bidding farewell to Patil at the Palace's Grand Entrance.

The baton, packed with high-tech cameras, sound-recorders and LED lights all made in India, contains a message to the athletes from the queen that will be opened and read out at the launch of the Games in New Delhi October 3.

Image: Queen Elizabeth hands the baton to Pratibha Patil (R).

Text: IANS | AP, Reuters Images (Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited)

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