Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil was yesterday handed over the Queen's Baton by Queen Elizabeth II, marking the formal launch of the Commonwealth Games that are to take place in New Delhi in October next year. The handing over of the Queen's Baton was held in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The baton, which contains a message to the athletes from the Queen in her role as head of the Commonwealth, will reach the Indian capital in time for the opening ceremony on October 3, 2010.