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CWG Opening Ceremony: Indians flaunt turbans and sarees

Last updated on: July 24, 2014 10:57 IST
Indian athletes opening ceremony for the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow

Scotland ushered in the 20th Commonwealth Games with a dazzling and colourful opening ceremony.

The players' parade was led by India, by the virtue of being the previous hosts. London Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar proudly carried the tri-colour.

The men proudly flaunted the red turbans.

Recently, appalled by reports that Sikh players from India were asked to remove their turbans at an international basketball match, top US lawmakers have launched a campaign asking International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to review the discriminatory policy.

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CWG Opening Ceremony: Indians flaunt turbans and sarees

Last updated on: July 24, 2014 10:57 IST
Indian athletes flaunt the turban

The letter says Sikh players participating within FIBA were told that their turbans violate Article 4.4.2 of FIBA's official rules, which states that "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players."

The men at the CWG opening ceremony looked dapper in black blazers and gray trousers along with head gear while the women athletes wore sarees.

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CWG Opening Ceremony: Indians flaunt turbans and sarees

Last updated on: July 24, 2014 10:57 IST
Indian hockey team members

Several members of the Indian contingent had not got their ceremonial dresses for the parade even 24 hours before the function.

Some athletes complained that they had no clue whether they would be given ceremonial dresses at all.

"A decision on the ceremonial dress was taken late, just 20 days back. Everyone will get it. Some dresses have arrived yesterday, others will reach soon,"' Indian contingent's chef-demission Raj Singh said.

Singh said this time the dress would be different from what the athletes have been wearing traditionally.

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CWG Opening Ceremony: Indians flaunt turbans and sarees

Last updated on: July 24, 2014 10:57 IST
Indian hockey team members

The 35,000 capacity Celtic stadium cheered as the Indians entered with the tune of popular Bollywood numbers 'nagada nagada' and 'pyar do' filling the Glasgow air.

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CWG Opening Ceremony: Indians flaunt turbans and sarees

Last updated on: July 24, 2014 10:57 IST
Flag bearer Abhinav Bindra of India leads his team into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi 2010

During the New Delhi CWG, the Indian contingent was decked up in sherwanis and sarees. Burgundy and gold were the hues that year.

"We can't wait to walk with our contingent in sarees," swimmer Priyanka Priyadarshini gushed.

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