Indian youth pray for Commonwealth Games

(October 02, 2010) Against the backdrop of negative publicity surrounding the Delhi 2010 XIX Commonwealth Games (CWG), an ecumenical Christian youth forum conducted a prayer service for the successful organization of the event. Around 50 youths of the Delhi Christian Youth Forum organized the service on Sept. 30 to spread a positive message about the Games and boost athletes’ spirits. Everyone lit candles laid out in a shape of the Indian map with ‘CWG 2010′ written inside. “It is a call for unity amid so much negative publicity about the Games going on,” said Rakesh Singh, National Coordinator of the Youth Active Foundation. He also said the event would be India’s moment of pride. Controversies have surrounded the October 3 to 14 Delhi 2010 XIX Commonwealth Games for the past few months. Bad weather, construction site accidents and work delays have led the media and world to doubt India’s preparedness to host the mega event. Auxiliary Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Delhi hailed the Christian Indian youths for coming together to pray for the Commonwealth Games as one of the aims of the event is to strengthen Indian youths by instilling the value of patriotism. Parliament Member Oscar Fernandes commended the Christian youths for the initiative. “This prayer will be a big contribution for the success of the Games,” he added. Father Mahesh Thomas Cherian of the Mar Thoma Church said the program would help boost the country and the athletes.