The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhiites line the streets for a glimpse of the Flame

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 11, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhiites line the streets for a glimpse of the Flame

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 10. Even though they did not go to work, it was a very tiring day for Rajiv and Ashutosh Trivedi. It turned out to be a day of "Dilli darshan'' as the brothers followed their unusual guide around the Capital: The Olympic torch. As the flame traced its way around the historic city, starting its over 33 kilometres run from Qutab Minar and finally ending its journey at the National Stadium here, the brothers along with hundreds of enthusiastic Delhiites took to the streets, following this "symbol of unity''.

It was a day that saw all the shades of the Capital out on the roads. Not just students and youngsters, but the excitement drew out even the middle-aged and elderly who pushed their way through the jostling crowd to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars running with the torch. And while some faithfully followed the torch all the way - at times resorting to public transport - others joined the frenzied crowds whenever possible as it accompanied the convoy.

"We have been with the torch since the afternoon. We have seen everyone from Bipasha Basu to Anil Kumble and Rani Mukherjee. I missed out on some like Irfan Pathan because I have seen him earlier. I am not doing this just for the personalities. I think this is something important,'' said Rajiv.

While some were drawn by the Flame that would be travelling across all five continents before making its way to Athens in Greece, others candidly admitted that its was the personalities that were the main attraction.

"I have been watching this on television and they said that Aishwarya Rai would be coming to Janpath. And now they are saying that Aamir Khan will also be coming so I will walk till Rajpath to see him as well. I have changed four buses to just reach here. Who has come to see the torch? I am just here to see the stars,'' said an excited Om Prakash who had come all the way from Sant Nagar Burari. Cheering loudly as actress Aishwarya Rai jogged passed, he joined the large crowd following the convoy.

For Promila Mallik, associated with the apparel industry, just catching a glimpse of Aishwarya Rai and cricketer Anil Kumble was enough. Accompanying the convoy from Janpath, the lady took a short cut to reach Rajpath so that she could also spot actor Aamir Khan. While Promila was one of the lucky ones to spot the torchbearers, many were lost in the huge crowds gathered along the road.

Though most Delhiites did not complain about the opportunity to catch a glimpse of their favourite Bollywood stars, there were some who did not quite agree with mixing films and sports. "Sportsmen do not participate in Filmfare Awards so why should film stars be a part of this relay. And that too on Rajpath. This is a special stretch and should have been reserved for sportsmen. The sponsors must have paid a lot of money so that film star would run here. I agree with what Milka Singh said earlier in the day,'' said Harpreet Singh from Jalandar.

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