Flame of Hospitality marries with the eternal Asian Games flame in New Delhi

H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, left, official 15th Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador married the Flame of Hospitality with the Eternal Asian Games Flame held by Mr. Randhir Singh, left, Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia and Indian Olympic Association, with Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, second left, President of the Indian Olympic Association and Sheila Dikshit, second right, Chief Minister of Delhi on Wednesday 11 October 2006.

The ceremony launched the longest relay in the history of Asian Games, travelling to 15 countries and regions in 55 days returning to Doha seven days before the opening ceremony of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

The first Torchbearer in New Delhi was Milkha Singh, the "flying Sikh" renowned for running barefoot and his record breaking achievements at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.

Milkha was joined along the route by many of India's finest athletes, most notably P.T. Usha, India's sports person of the century and sports woman of the Millennium.

Milkha Singh, as the first torchbearer started the relay which traveled through the city passing one of New Delhi's famous landmarks, the India Gate. The Flame of Hospitality returned to the National Stadium, the birthplace of the Asian Games, carried by P.T Usha and Satpal Singh, where a spectacular celebration took place.

Taste of Qatar Cultural troop from Doha; the capital of Qatar was joined on the ceremony stage at the end of today's relay by traditional Indian folk drummers and singers creating magical cultural fusion between Qatari culture and traditional Indian performers.

Taste of Qatar is a group of artists organized by the National Council of Culture, Arts and Heritage in Qatar comprises of 19 professional performers, musicians and handicraft artists that travels with the 15th Asian Games torch Relay throughout Asia to shed a light on the traditional Qatari Culture.

The Ardha, a combination of poetry and dance, was performed by two lines of singers in traditional Qatari dress and the call and response routine highlights lyrics of horsemanship, chivalry and strength and is performed using intricate golden ceremonial swords.

The dance is accompanied by an array of percussion instruments, including altara (a large drum whose leather is heated by an open fire), tambourine and cymbals, along with small drums (merwas). Other instruments include the oud and rebaba, both string instruments, as well as the Arabian flute.

Spectators at the Relays' Celebration in India had the opportunity to experience Qatar 's rich culture of handicrafts such as henna hand painting, practiced by women in the Arab world, dhow boat making, a tradition handed down from generation to generation and gypsum carving, a traditional craft displaying intricate designs in plaster.