'Good work Delhi. Just don't change now!'

Delhiites have received a pat on their back from Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for being better behaved during the Commonwealth Games and hoped the behavioural changes are not temporary.

The Minister said the behaviour of Delhiites has improved in the last 15 days.

"I sincerely hope it is not a temporary change. I hope whatever change has come about remains forever. People must drive in lanes, people must not park cars in non-parking areas, people must not jump red lights."

"People must obey traffic regulations, traffic restrictions. People must learn to respect policemen and policewomen," he said.

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He said people in fact have learnt to accept that tight, stringent security arrangements are "necessary today in the modern world especially in a modern city and people have to learn to live and adjust their behaviour consistent with the security arrangements."

He also said that along with Delhiites, police behaviour has also changed.

"Policemen and policewomen guarding the Games venues, Games village have also now learnt to say things with a smile, say things politely, use politer and more refined language."

"We can say that the Commonwealth Games changed the behaviour of Delhiites and that change is for better," he said.

Chidambaram also said that while everyone had something negative to say about one arrangement or the other, "I am very gratified that no one has found anything negative about the security arrangements."

Speaking to the members of the first Nagaland Mahila Battalion, which was deployed for the Games, he said, "You have done a splendid job and I would like to warmly congratulate you for the outstanding work you have done in the last two weeks."

Meanwhile, Chidambaram in a letter addressed to Delhi Police Chief Y S Dadwal has congratulated everyone for the foolproof security cover.

"I wish to express my appreciation of the splendid achievement of Delhi Police in making foolproof security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games. I offer you and your team - down to the newly recruited constables -- my warm congratulations rising to the occassion and for winning the gratitude of everyone concerned, especially the athletes and spectators," Chidambaram said in the letter.

The minister said the Games would not have been a success had it not been for the foolproof security arrangements.

He also congratulated the paramilitary forces, particularly the venue commanders.

Chidambaram said he would be writing to all venue commanders and shall be grateful if the letters are placed in the Annual Confidential Report of these officers.

Over a lakh security personnel, including commandos were deployed for the security of the Games.