The closing ceremony for the 19th Commonwealth Games began at a crowded Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday with a dazzling display of martial arts from the far corners of India.Among the thousands who had packed into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was also the venue for the spectacular on Oct 3 opening ceremony, was Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the chief guest accompanied by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

     After the glittering display of martial arts, the crowd's hair raising  roar when the Indian Armed Force bands played "Kadam- kadam bhadeyega khusi ke geet gaaye ja, ye jindagi hai qaum ki, qaum pe mitaye ja" and "Saare jahan se accha Hindustaan hamara". The wonderful patterns formed by the school children of Delhi with National Song "Vandematram" is breath-taking.

     Moreover, in the end the flag was handed over to the Chairman of Glasgow 2014 Common Wealth Games (Mr. Winter, Scotland).

The closing ceremony ended the  12 days of sporting glory that saw Australia take home the biggest haul of medals at 177, including 74 gold. For the first time in the history of the Games, India took the second slot with a rich haul of 101 medals, including 38 gold. England ended up with 143 medals, including 37 gold.
Canada with 75 medals, including 26 golds, came 4th in the games.
The gala was also a tribute to the 6,700 athletes of the 71 participating teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean,  Europe and Oceania.