Queen’s Baton gets warm welcome at Nathula Pass

GANGTOK - The Queen’s Baton relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games received warm welcome at Nathula Pass near the India-China border in Sikkim.

Indian Army personnel took a round with Commonwealth Games baton at 14,200 feet altitude on the India-China border, in Sikkim, on Saturday.

The Queen’s Baton reached Sikkim on Friday for a three-day tour. After touring Sikkim capital Gangtok and other towns, the baton on Saturday reached Nathula, the highest point ever it will travel in India.

Shouting ‘hail mother India’ army personnel carried the baton as artisans performed folk dance on the way as the baton was proceeding.

“It’s a great honour for the country, for the Indian Army that at a height of 14,200 feet at the India-China border at Nathula, we have got the Queen’s baton and on behalf of the Indian army we wish the Indian team the very best for the Commonwealth Games,” said Kuldeep Singh Mastu, director Queen’s baton relay.

The baton was taken by the Army in a convoy from Gangtok till the famous Changu Lake at 13,600 ft. Marking a unique relay there, the baton was relayed on Yak by Army soldiers and international mountaineers from Sikkim.

“Here the temperature must be minus 1 or 2, but nobody is feeling the cold. The baton has a strength to take forward our sports and I am sure our sports will attain great heights,” said S.D Meston, Army Commander. (ANI)