The preparations for giving a warm reception to the Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relays in Uttar Pradesh have already begun. Hoardings welcoming the Baton can be seen at different places in the state capital. An important meeting to ensure a grand organisation of the Queens Baton Relay in the state took place in Lucknow on Monday. The meet was presided over by Atul Kumar Gupta,Chief Secretary (UP). The Chief secretary discussed the different programmes which would be organised during the Batons journey through UP. He gave directions to organise impressive cultural programmes during the night stay of the Relay team at different districts. He directed the state government officials to form committees at district and state level to ensure a maximum of public participation and to involve school children in order to make the Relay a big success. He said that since the Commonwealth Games have also the status of Green Games,therefore,plantation should be done on the Relay route to ensure that the environment related message reaches the people. The Baton Relay will be passing through UP in two phases. In the first phase from July 8 to 13 and in the second phase from September 19 to 22. The Baton Relay will pass through Lucknow on July 9. It will reach at Itaunja,Lucknow at 4.15 pm. Then it will proceed towards Pucca Pul,Bara Imambara,Residency and Parivartan Chowk. From Parivartan Chowk,it will head towards CMS Kanpur Road where cultural programmes will be organised from 7.20 am onwards. On July 10,the Baton Relay will cover the distance between Bara Imambara to KD Singh Babu Stadium. Prominent sportspersons from Lucknow will be taking part in this Relay. From the Babu Stadium,the Relay will head towards Rae Bareli. Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Kunwar Fateh Bahadur,Principal Secretary (Sports) Lalit Varma,Secretary (Tourism) Avanish Awasthi,Director Sports (UP) Dr Hari Om and DMs of the districts where the Baton will pass through besides other officials were also present during the meet.
