The stage is all set for the gala opening of the biggest sporting event in the country, the Common Wealth Games 2010. The 12 day event gets underway, with a spectacular opening this evening which will provide a glimpse of India's great heritage and tradition through a light, music and dance show. The Queen’s Baton will reach the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue of the opening ceremony, where it will be received by Prince Charles, the representative of the Queen at the ceremony. Sportspersons who have done India proud in the global arena, Vijender Kumar, Saina Nehwal , Sushil Kumar , Samresh Jung and Mary Kom will be the torch bearers. Prince Charles and President Mrs Pratiba Devi Singh Patil will inaugurate the games. The opening ceremony scheduled to begin at 7 pm this evening will feature some of the big names of the music industry alongside 7000 artistes and their performance would highlight the rhythms and ragas of India. The star attraction of the opening will be the aerostat -a helium balloon which will prop up images of leaders, important monuments and themes representing various periods in Indian history. It is for the first time that such a massive balloon will be used for any event in India. The aerostat is mounted with cameras that provide a 360-degree viewing experience so every person in the stadium can view the entire effect of the aerostat and laser projections. Over 60, 000 people are expected to watch the spectacular ceremony. Hosts of the previous edition of the Games in 2006 Australia will lead the march past of athletes followed by other countries in alphabetical order while hosts India will make the rear with the country’s only gold medallist in the Olympics Abhinav Bhindra being its flag bearer.The games will have the biggest participation of athletes in the common wealth games history with over 7500 sports persons and officials arriving at the games venue.AIR correspondent says that after all the mudslinging on the organisers over the quality of infrastructure at the venues and village, the visiting athletes seemed pleasantly surprised with the facilities on offer. India is hoping for a top three finish at the Delhi games. In the last edition held in Melbourne , India had bagged a total of 49 including 22 gold.AIR correspondent says expectations are that hosts India has the potential to finish as high as second in the games. Delhi has been put under a heavy blanket of security. AIR correspondent reports that gun trotting commandos, have been deployed to thwart any threat to the mega event.Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has appealed to Delhites to join the celebrations. AIR correspondent reports Inflow of tourists to the national capital has gone up in the run up to the gamesAIR correspondent reports to provide smooth travel to commuters during the Commonwealth games, Delhi Metro will run trains at an average frequency of two and half minutes.