China once again dazzled the world with a glittering ceremony as the Paralympics opened on Saturday in the iconic ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium with the message that all life has value and dignity.

Just weeks after billions around the globe enjoyed the breathtaking opening to the Olympics, Beijing was once again thrust into centrestage.

In a nation in which the handicapped have long suffered discrimination, the event was themed “One World, One Dream” and “Transcendence, Integration, Equality.”

Among the dignitaries attending the opening ceremony was Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after holding talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao. More than 4,000 competitors from nearly 150 countries and regions will battle for 472 gold medals in 20 sports at venues used for last month’s Olympics such as the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube.

Basha in squad
   Karnataka’s Farman Basha is among the five who will represent India at the Games. The team includes Rajinder Singh Rahelu, who won a bronze in powerlifting at the 2004 Games in Athens.

The team: Markand Reddy (Orissa, athletics – 100M, Jagsher Singh  (Rajasthan, athletics, long jump); Rajinder Singh Rahelu (Punjab, powerlifting); Farman Basha (Karnataka, powerlifting);  Naresh Kumar Sharma (Delhi, rifle shooting).