A dazzling laser show and a musical extravaganza last night marked the finale of the 19th Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event hosted by India. Skies over the national capital lit with multi-colour laser beams and fireworks as part of the closing ceremony at the Jawarharlal Nehru stadium filled to capacity of 60,000 cheering sports lovers.Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell.Prince Edward, patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, formally declared the Games closed amid thunderous cheers from the audience. The next Games will be held at Glascow, Scotland.Not a single seat was vacant at the stadium and the crowd nearly brought down the house the moment Indian rifle shooter Gagan Narang entered the infield holding the national flag. In a mixed formation, the athletes of 71 nations entered the infield together as one big contingent, signifying bond and friendships formed during the Games.With four golds, Narang emerged as the best Indian athlete. The crowd cheered and gave Narang a standing ovation for his remarkable performance in the mega event.Saina Nehwal, who won the singles badminton title earlier during the day, accompanied Narang during the flag's march-past. Athletes march-past followed as the biggest Indian contingent danced in jubilation while entering the arena.India's medal haul of 38 Gold, 27 Silver and 36 Bronze is the best ever harvest for the country in the Games' history. India climbed to the record high second position with Australia occupying the top slot.The closing ceremony began with the Indian national anthem. There was much excitement and euphoria in store when a tribute was paid to the India's sporting spirit, aptly titled Agni — a segment that featured the fiery and passionate tradition of the country's martial arts.Chants of Agni shloka preceded eight martial art forms — Kalaripayattu, Naga warriors, Thangta, Gatka, Silambam, Akhara, Dhan Patta, Talwar Raas — that enthralled the audience as skies lit up with dazzling fireworks.Fourteen military bands, 17 pipes and drums of various regiments and batallions of the Indian Army performed in unison as pigeons were set free.Dressed in white, 2010 Delhi school children paid tribute to the motherland performing to the tunes of Vande Mataram as they took positions to form rangoli pattern and Ashoka chakra on the field.The official mascot of the Games, Shera, was given an emotional farewell as he went around the stadium accompanied by singer Shaan.Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi in his speech said the Games have given a new beginning to Indian sports.The Commonwealth Games Federation President, Michael Fennell, presented the David Dixon Award Jamaican triple jumper gold medallist Trecia Smith. Named after the former secretary of the CGF, the award instituted in 2002 is given to the outstanding athlete of each of the Commonwealth Games based on their performance.In his address at the closing ceremony, Mr Fennell described the Delhi Games as truly exceptional. He said, security, transport and other services have been ofhighest quality. The venues were world class and it was a truly outstanding show by the athletes.A 30-minute segment titled 'Music of Universal Love' featuring renowned Indian singers and musicians mesmerized the crowd in the final leg of the ceremony.Musicians Taufique Qureshi, dhol players Kamal Sabri, Niladri Kumar, Bikram Ghosh, Sivamani and Raghav Sachar performed in the event.There was also further entertainment from singers Kailash Kher, Zila Khan, Sukhwinder, Ila Arun, Usha Uthup, Shiamak Davar, Shankar Mahadevan, Shubha Mudgal, Sunidhi Chauhan and Sreeram who belted out some Indian chart bursters.