Malang
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NEW DELHI: Minutes before the Olympic torch relay began, an eerie silence enveloped Rajpath. The only sound that broke the hush was the strains of kirtan from nearby Rakabganj gurudwara.
The shrine functioned as usual, seemingly unmindful of the almost war like situation that prevailed outside.
In normal circumstances, the event should have been a grand public spectacle with crowds lining the main road, cheering those carrying the torch.
But the Olympic torch came to the Capital, and left without anyone other than the police personnel and a few school children having witnessed the relay.
The elaborate arrangements and tight security at Rajpath would have reminded anyone of the Republic Day parade at the same venue, only the dense silence was a strong reminder that this was no ordinary day and that the city was trying its best to guard the flame.
Sportspersons and celebrities, who carried the torch, ran alone, waving to empty stands, with only some members of the Chinese delegation for company.
For a one-and-a-half hour function, that only had most of the Capital's security present, the city was flung in utter chaos for several hours. The area was cordoned off at 2 pm and not a soul was permitted anywhere near the venue.
The security was so tight that even media persons and organisers found it difficult to get to the venue. A bus carrying the school children, the only Delhiites permitted to watch a part of the relay, was also sent back initially since they were not able to produce identity cards. They were later allowed in.
However, even they saw nothing of the actual relay as they were seated in enclosures far from the relay path. "I was so excited when I was chosen to attend the relay but did not know that we would not even be able to see the torch. All we saw were celebrities like Saif Ali Khan on the stage. We spent all day waiting in the sun but were left slightly disappointed," said Sachin Singh, a resident of Najafgarh.
The shrine functioned as usual, seemingly unmindful of the almost war like situation that prevailed outside.
In normal circumstances, the event should have been a grand public spectacle with crowds lining the main road, cheering those carrying the torch.
But the Olympic torch came to the Capital, and left without anyone other than the police personnel and a few school children having witnessed the relay.
The elaborate arrangements and tight security at Rajpath would have reminded anyone of the Republic Day parade at the same venue, only the dense silence was a strong reminder that this was no ordinary day and that the city was trying its best to guard the flame.
Sportspersons and celebrities, who carried the torch, ran alone, waving to empty stands, with only some members of the Chinese delegation for company.
For a one-and-a-half hour function, that only had most of the Capital's security present, the city was flung in utter chaos for several hours. The area was cordoned off at 2 pm and not a soul was permitted anywhere near the venue.
The security was so tight that even media persons and organisers found it difficult to get to the venue. A bus carrying the school children, the only Delhiites permitted to watch a part of the relay, was also sent back initially since they were not able to produce identity cards. They were later allowed in.
However, even they saw nothing of the actual relay as they were seated in enclosures far from the relay path. "I was so excited when I was chosen to attend the relay but did not know that we would not even be able to see the torch. All we saw were celebrities like Saif Ali Khan on the stage. We spent all day waiting in the sun but were left slightly disappointed," said Sachin Singh, a resident of Najafgarh.
