Ranchi, Feb 12 : The 34th National Games got off to a spectacular start at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi Saturday evening.
Long before the start of the opening ceremony, people started queuing up at the gates of the stadium. More than 80 percent of the stadium was full by the time the ceremony began.
Governor M. O. H. Farook inaugurated the Games. "It is a red letter day in history of Jharkhand," said Farook.
The opening ceremony began with the National Anthem. The teams participated in a march past, led by the Services contingent. The contingent of Manipur, the last games' champions, was the second in the march past.
A total of 28 states and five union territories took part in the march past.
The 25,000-strong spectators welcomed the home team's contingent with a thunderous roar.
Earlier, the Jharkhand Armed Police band regaled the spectators. A plane hovered over the stadium and showered rose petals after the governor's arrival.
Chief Minister Arjun Munda, Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, former chief minister Shibu Soren and Jharkhand Olympic Association president R. K. Anand were present on the occasion.(IANS)
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