PTI
MELBOURNE, Mar 26: Bollywood beauties, singers and sporting heroes joined hands as India showcased its diverse culture, magnificent landscape and rich heritage during a brief presentation at the closing ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games here on Sunday.
Sounds of conches, chimes and Bhangra music reverberated before more than a lakh spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as India, hosts of the next edition of the Games four years later in New Delhi, presented a breathtaking song and dance spectacle.
'Shera', the Mascot of Delhi Games, was brought into the stadium accompanied by Indian global icons -- former Miss World Priyanka Chopra and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta.
A host of sporting icons including Sunil Gavaskar, Milkha Singh, Kapil Dev, Prakash Padukone, P T Usha, Anju Bobby George, Michael Ferreira, Ajit Pal Singh, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Karan Singh and Satpal took part in a parade, bringing the message of friendship, love and peace from India.
The programme ended as the strains of music and dance built up to a crescendo and the stadium erupted in a dramatic pyrotechnics display featuring the three colours of Indian Flag, launched off the roof of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
The traditionally-attired dancers then made formations to spell out the words "See you. Delhi 2010".
The music loving Australians were also enthralled by the presence of Bolloywood stars Aishwarya Rai, Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee.