New Delhi, October 7
A bagful of gold medals won by Indian athletes and improved ticketing facilities are turning things around at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) venues which are witnessing a surge in the number of spectators.

A couple of days ago, concerns were raised over almost vacant venues for many sports. Less than full, stands are still a sight at many stadiums, especially those hosting sports not very familiar with Indians. But it is visible that the number of spectators has been increasing consistently.

One could see serpentine queues outside the ticket counters at National Stadium, Siri Fort, Indira Gandhi Stadium and Karni Singh Shooting Range among other venues today. These venues are hosting a total of 17 sports.

A number of people expressed happiness over India performing well in the Games and wanted to be a part of it.

Officials at the counters said weekend tickets had much more takers. "It is like watching a movie. We see many people booking three or four tickets as per the size of their families, for weekends," an official said.

Improved facilities and sorting out the glitches have also helped.

"Earlier we had to book tickets online and collect them, especially from the Parliament Street branch of the Central Bank of India. But, today, we straightway walked into the Siri Fort Auditorium to watch Saina Nehwal play. Tickets were available and we had a great time. It has become easier for families to go and watch the Games," said Shashank Vohra, who lives near the Siri Fort Complex at Green Park.

But there are hurdles that still need to be taken care of. Many who came at the ticketing counters to buy tickets told this correspondent that the staff at the counters was not very helpful with queries. Also, information about purchasing tickets was not even up on the CWG website.

"My friend kept standing in a queue for more than one and half hours at the Central Bank of India outlet at Khan market only to be told that he cannot pick the tickets without an identity card. There are no help desks, no signages or event schedules to assist people. A security guard handed over purchased forms outside the counter. A scribbled paper stuck on the wall stated that tickets for boxing matches from October 9 to 13 and for badminton from October 12 to 14 were not available," said Mikhil Guha, at Khan Market.

"An Australian couple behind us who were also in the queue for long left disappointed, after they were told they could not pay through credit card. But such was their enthusiasm that they soon returned with cash and purchased the tickets for squash on the weekend," he added. 

New Delhi, October 7
The Delhi government is planning to create a separate wing in the public works department (PWD) to maintain the expansive infrastructures built across the city for the Commonwealth Games.

Delhi public works minister Rajkumar Chauhan said forming a new wing was imperative to ensure that the constructions remained in shape even after the Games.

He said the maintenance of the Games' infrastructure would be a challenging task and demanded considerable expenditure, but would help Delhi arrive on the world map.

"Some Games projects like the elevated road, Ring Road bypass and Salimgarh flyover have created history as they were constructed in a record span of time. At least more than three years were required to construct the elevated road, but Delhi did it in just 20 months," Chauhan said.

Sources said once the Games are over, a proposal would be tabled before the Cabinet to approve a budget for creating a maintenance wing in the PWD. The horticulture department will also be directed to maintain the street beautification. As far as DTC buses are concerned, they are being maintained by the manufacturer.

The minister claimed that even foreign countries were keen to take a lesson or two from the state government for developing infrastructure.

A delegation of Scotland consisting of 35 members visited India to the see the preparations as it is scheduled to host the CWG in 2014, the minister said.

As far as transport is concerned, Scotland has decided to copy the Delhi Transport Corporation which has changed the face of public transport in Delhi by running low-floor buses, including the air-conditioned ones, Chauhan added. 

New Delhi, October 7
People are returning disappointed from merchandising outlets as Shera soft toys have already run out of stock.

Shera, the Games mascot that has a big fan following among children, has vanished even before the event is over.

Contrary to the claims of the organisers and Premier Brand, the company handling merchandising, there are no merchandising products to be found anywhere inside most of the stadiums.

Even on the opening ceremony day, the stalls for merchandising products have not been placed by the company officials. Spectators going to watch the Games are missing the fun without elements like -- vuvuzela, caps, t-shirts, etc, that make any sporting event a celebration.

"We were looking for vuvuzelas, but the volunteers told us that it is not available," said Goel family from Pitampura who had come to see a swimming event.

However, others said their products were confiscated by security officials at the checking point. "They did not allow me to take the noise-maker inside," said Gaurav, a student at Talkatora Stadium.

The merchanding company officials have claimed that about 10,000 vuvuzela horns that cost rs 250 each have been sold through merchandising outlets. The company officials said they had imported 50,000 vuvuzelas for the Games.

"Both Indians and foreigners have been showing a lot of interest and the sales are good," Jitendra Dang, who runs a shop at the athletes' village.

As far as Shera is concerned, it is made in china and the consignment has been delayed. "The stock will be updated in one or two days," said another official at the shop.

Shera was also nowhere to be spotted at the opening ceremony function at JN Stadium.

"Shera has already become a public figure with his picture on hoardings and other products. We wanted to showcase all that is fresh," said Bharat Bala. 

New Delhi, October 7
A number of monuments have been conserved and protected, apart from being illuminated.

The work was taken up under the department of archaeology, Delhi government, to present an aesthetic view of the rich heritage of Delhi during the Commonwealth Games (CWG), said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Dikshit had visited a few monuments along with a media team last evening.

She had visited the Mutiny Memorial or Fateh Garh at Northern Ridge, Turkman Gate, Asaf Ali Road, Gole Gumbad near Lodi Road Flyover, Tomb of Bijri Khan, R.K. Puram, Sector-3; Bara Lao Ka Gumbad and Baradari, Vasant Vihar; Tomb near M.B. Road crossing, Lado Sarai. Other monuments illuminated by the department are - Mosque of Darwesh Shah, Gulmohar Park, Tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan, Mehrauli Archaeological Park near Qutab Minar, the tomb behind National Stadium, Phuta Gumbad, adjoining Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Maqbara Paik, GTK bypass, Turret near Gate number.3, Lodi Garden, Mosque near Butterfly Park in Lodi Garden, the mosque and four walls of an enclosed garden with its entrance gateway near Rose Garden in Lodi Garden and Munda Gumbad, inside Deer Park, Hauz Khas.

The conservation of monuments involve material like -- lime, surkhi, badarpur, brick-zeera, gur, belgiri and curd among other things. These were used in a traditional way like -- preparing lime mortar and special surface finish given by providing lime punning which involves specific preparation of materials. The chemical preservation has also been carried out by applying specific chemicals to remove the soot, dirt, moss and lichen deposit that have collected on the surface of monuments.

Some monuments have been beautified by landscaping.

Faridabad, October 7
If the Western Railways' authorities had the right vision, it would have been proud of their employee Aneesa Sayyed, who bagged a gold medal in 25-metre range pistol shooting event in the Commonwealth Games.

While residents of Faridabad raised a toast for Aneesa and celebrated her success, the residence of her family in sector-46 here was humming with crowd and congratulatory messages kept pouring in. Aneesa Sayyed is married to Mubarak Hussain Khan of Chaisa village here.

Aneesa was paired with Sarnobot Rahi for the 25-metre pistol which won her the gold on Tuesday.

Khan, employed as an engineer with the Tulip Telecom, said Aneesa was employed with the Western Railways, but resigned out of frustration and the "insensitive" behaviour of the authorities. Besides, she was denied salary for the past 15 months, including the entire 2009. The reason being that the authorities concerned would intervene with her practice sessions.

The family, however, has had very good experience. Her family said Aneesa received support from the chairman of Philip Tulip Telecom H.S. Bedi.

Khan said Aneesa was very promising in her field.

The deputy commissioner of Faridabad Praveen Kumar said Aneesa's success was all the more special as she hailed from a village in the Mewat area, one of the economically and socially backward areas of the state. He said Aneesa had done Haryana, especially Faridabad proud, and hoped that her success would inspire women. 

New Delhi, October 7
"The face of Delhi is glowing with the cosmetic colours of the Commonwealth Games which are apparently the symbol of national pride. My exhibited work 'Migratory Birds' is an attempt to look beyond 'what is on' and 'what is inside' the glamorous and glorious face of the Games in order to unravel what is behind it," says artist Anupam Roy who exhibited his paintings on October 5 and 6 at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Roy's work strikes home as in his many canvases, he has depicted the plight of migrant labourers who worked to raise the infrastructure for the Ggames. The artist has compared the workers to a flock of migrant birds.

Roy informs, "My work draws inspiration from the struggle, sacrifice and back-breaking work of the thousands of workers which is overshadowed in the pomp and show of the Commonwealth Games. Through my art, I want to pay tributes to the unnoticed physical and emotional investment of these workers, who have sealed each brick with their sweat to raise the magnificence of the CWG."

The artist further adds, "Although the face of the CWG is marred by ugly patches of corruption and scandals, what saved its face is the tireless effort of labourers who have migrated from all over India. To me, the migrant labourers in their orange vests and yellow helmets are like migratory birds, who fly from one place to another in search of food and water. I also identify my personal journey from my hometown in West Bengal to a metropolitan city in search of opportunities with theirs."

Roy's canvases are bold and evocatively reflect the strong theme that runs through them. He uses colours like black, red, yellow and earth shades. There is a boldness in his art as though the artist bears his inner thoughts and emotions freely on canvas and his technique is very lucid.

Most of his paintings are in oil or acrylic, though there are a few water colours and some rather strong pen and ink sketches too.

The depth of his social and political sensibilities is clearly reflected in his colourful but graphic art. 

New Delhi, October 7
The Delhi police has arrested a man for allegedly raping a 28-year-old woman after promising marriage.

The accused, Kimod Kumar Raju, works as a peon at Nirman Bhavan and lived in the servants' quarters of Congress MP G. Venkataswamy's bungalow (no.7B) on Janpath. The victim, Smita (name changed), lived in the servants' quarters of the bungalow (no.7A) of another MP in the neighbourhood. The two knew each other for quite a long time and were in a relationship.

A few days ago, Smita discovered that she was four months pregnant. She told this to her family. When her family asked Raju to marry Smita, he refused.

Now, Smita has lodged a complaint at the Chanakyapuri police station.

In the complaint, she has stated that she had been repeatedly raped by Raju.

"Raju made physical relationship with me on the promise that he would marry me soon. But when I told him about my pregnancy, he refused to accept me," said Smita.

The accused has been arrested and is in judicial custody. 

Greater Noida, October 7
Some unidentified men allegedly decamped with valuables over Rs 3 lakh from the house of an official of the ministry of home affairs in sector-36 in just a few minutes.

The victim M.K. Sinha has filed a report at the Kasna police station.

Sinha had left for office as usual on Tuesday, while his wife Sonali was alone at home. Sonali had gone to pick their son from Urs Line Public School which is about 100 metres from their house. After 15 minutes when she returned, she saw the lock on the door of her house broken and household things scattered.

Sinha said the bandits had decamped with Rs 40,000 and jewellery over Rs 2.60 lakh. A number of other valuables and costly items were also missing.