Rahman unveils Games theme song

GURGAON - The Commonwealth Games’ theme song, “Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto”, by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman was unveiled at a glittering function here Saturday.

The song calls upon everyone to participate in the Oct 3-14 mega sporting event.

“I wrote the first line six months back and kept tweaking it till I finally finished it last night (Friday). It is definitely an honour to compose the official theme song which is in the spirit of the Commonwealth Games,” said Rahman, who performed at the launch function.

The theme song was recently cleared by the Group of Ministers headed by Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that the city will hold the best ever Games.

“The Games which have come to India for the first time are going to be the most memorable Commonwealth Games ever held. We are confident that Delhi, with India behind it, will be able to achieve what many people believe may not be possible,” she said after the launch of the theme song.

“I do believe that along with (Organising Committee chairman) Suresh Kalmadi and his team, with support of the Indian government, the very warm and kind blessings of prime minister of India, we will achieve the best ever Games held anywhere in the world,” she added.

The unveiling of the theme song was delayed by a few days after the GoM asked Rahman to tweak the song.

“When we got the flag we had promised that we will put up a great show and we will live up to the promise. We are using the best of infrastructure in the opening and the closing ceremonies which would depict 5,000 years of Indian culture,” said Kalmadi.

“We are working hard and we know we can do it. The Games will be better than the Beijing Olympics,” he said.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also present on the occasion.