Indian contingent wins hearts at Asian Games opening

HANGZHOU,

The Indian contingent resplendent in their golden-tinged ceremonial livery walked out in the eighth position in a marchpast, at the inaugural ceremony of Hangzhou Asian Games in China with water and tide as theme, winning applause from spectators. The Indian contingent was led by flag-bearers Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the men’s hockey team, and boxer Lovlina Borghain. Though the contingent includes 921 members including 625 sportspersons 260 coaches and other support staff, only 200 of them participated in the ceremony as many sportspersons had events on Sunday. The 90-minute-long programme captured China’s cultural heritage and romantic imagery through the melding of its thousands-of-years-old civilisation and modern technology through stunning visuals, showcasing the dedicated efforts of the Chinese path to modernisation. It was a presentation that combined Eastern aesthetics and a viewpoint that can connect with a global audience and expresses the country's goodwill and aim of building a community with a shared future through an interplay of Chinese style and Asian appeal. The spectacular opening ceremony blended the power of technology and beauty of art in China. BLENDING elements of artificial intelligence and environmentally friendly technology, the Hangzhou Asian Games began here on Saturday with a one-of-a-kind opening ceremony, headlined by a spectacular futuristic light show.

The dazzling programme, held amid a diplomatic row over the denial of entry to three Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, was a melange of technology, cultural history of China, and the spirit of the continent’s unity. In keeping with the main theme of ‘Tides Surging in Asia’, the ceremony was about the intermingling of China, Asia and the world in the new era, as well as the unity, love and friendship of the Asian people. The water element through the surging tide of Qiantang river — which flows through Hangzhou — was the underlying theme of the grand evening which lasted nearly two hours. The ceremony sought to portray a distinctly Chinese and an uniquely Asian flair, capturing the country’s cultural heritage and romantic imagery through the blending of its thousands of years old civilisation and modern technology, through stunning visuals. It portrayed the efforts of China’s path to modernisation in a presentation that combined Eastern aesthetics and a viewpoint that connects with a global audience. The technological might of China was written all over with the lighting of the cauldron — the Games’ Flame — being done in a unique way. Digital technology was utilised as torchbearers in the virtual and physical worlds jointly lighted the cauldron.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Games open as more than 12,000 athletes from 45 countries gear up to fight for top honours till October 8.

The nearly-packed 80,000 capacity ‘Big Lotus’ stadium was decked up elegantly for the occasion and welcomed the athletes from the participating countries, including India, with loud cheers. After three wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh were denied visa by the Chinese government, India had cancelled the visit of its sports minister Anurag Thakur. Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha was not present as she is currently in Paraguay as part of a Parliamentary delegation, though other officials attended the ceremony. Loud cheers greeted the nearly 100 Indian athletes and officials as they marched into the stadium, led by flag-bearers Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain. The Indian contingent walked out for the athletes’ parade in eighth position. From the tennis team, only Ramkumar Ramanathan participated in the parade since the other players have matches on Sunday. The male athletes were clad in bandhgala jacket and khaki kurta while their female counterparts donned high-necked blouse and khaki-textured saree made from recycled fabrics. India is fielding 655 athletes in the Games.