THE BIGGEST sports event ever to be held in India, the Commonwealth Games are all set to start from October 3 in New Delhi. It will continue till October 14. After the Asian Games, which was held in 1982, this is the first mega sports event, which is being organised by India.

Indian capital Delhi, which is hosting the games is all set to welcome about 7000 athletes, officials and thousands of tourists on this occasion.

The citizens of Delhi, tourism department, Government of Delhi, NGOs and everyone, who is related to Delhi are ready to treat their foreign guests with the dictum "Athithi Devo Bhavah" that means 'The guest is God'.

Delhi, which is commonly known as "Dilwalon ki Dilli" is famous for its tourist destinations and finger licking food. Athletes, officials and tourists, who will come in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games can explore the city and visit India Gate, Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Purana Quila, Raj Ghat, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Bangla Saheb, Birla Temple and many such places.

For those, who want to go for shopping there are a lot of shopping malls and a number of local shopping markets in Delhi. Connaught Place, Ansal Plaza, Sarojini Nagar market, Lajpat Nagar market, Chandini Chowk are great places for shopping.

Foreign guests can also enjoy lip smacking chaat, golgappe, tikki, dahi bhalle in old Delhi's famous streets. Besides these they can also enjoy paneer tikka, mughlai dishes, punjabi dishes, spicy non-veg items, chole bhature etc.

Tourist can't miss the delicious sweets of Delhi. There are a lot of places in Delhi, where tourists can enjoy these local foods items like Bengali Market, Sunder Nagar, Greater Kailash, old Delhi, many food joints, local restaurants, etc.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed all those involved in Commonwealth Games preparations that everything should be done to ensure success of the mega sporting event, Minister of State in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan said on Friday. 

A day after Singh took stock of the preparedness with union ministers and others involved, Chavan said there was a concern over pull-out threats and hoped that everything would go well. 

"With only a few days left, the Prime Minister took personal initiative saying that no stone should be left unturned to see that we successfully conduct the Games," the minister said. 

Singh held a meeting with urban development minister Jaipal Reddy, sports minister MS Gill, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna on Thursday to review the preparedness of the Commonwealth Games. 

However, CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi was kept away from the meeting, triggering speculation about his being sidelined. 

Chavan sought to downplay this, saying the Prime Minister had called all the departments of government and "OC does not fall in the category." 

Old Delhi and New Delh