Quote:To showcase secular India, azaan, shabad, Buddhist chants at Games



Shubhajit Roy

Tags : Azaan, Commonwealth Games, Opening and closing ceremony



Posted: Sun Sep 26 2010, 03:54 hrs

Updated: Sun Sep 26 2010, 08:43 hrs



New Delhi:



The Muslim call for prayer, azaan, will be a part of the background score at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. The ceremonies will also have a qawwali soundtrack, props on the celebration of Eid, and props on Mughal monuments to showcase India’s history and secular culture.



These components were included after the Group of Ministers led by Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy insisted, at at least three meetings held over the last three months, on “Islamic elements” in the ceremonies, sources said.



The GoM’s views were first reported in The Indian Express.



It is learnt that the ministers had also wanted some Buddhist elements in the ceremonies, and they have now been told that images of the Buddha will be shown, and 24 Buddhist monks will play a musical instrument while Buddhist chants are played in the background.



http://www.indianexpress.com/news/To-showcase-secular-India--azaan--shabad--Buddhist-chants-at-Games/688157