Olympic Torch to reach Delhi on 10th June, 2004
The Olympic flame during its global journey of more than 78000 km. will reach Delhi on 10th June, 2004. It will be brought from Beijing through a special flight. Two decorated Boeing 737 aircraft will land along with the flame and accompanying officials. The torch will be greeted in traditional Indian style by the school children. It will take in a relay from Qutub Minar to Humayun Tomb, Red Fort and Rajpath. Leading public figures and celebrities from the various walks of life will run with the torch. These include sporting heroes like Kapil Dev, Milkha Singh, Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan, Anil Kumble, Virendra Sehwag. Representing music and cinema there will be Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu, Vivek Oberoi. Large number of common people chosen through various competition programme will also be taking torch in relay.
The Torch will be carried up to North/South Blocks from where it will be taken along Raj Path upto National Stadium. Along the Rajpath, colourfully decorated for the occasion, the runners will be escorted by a royal procession of bedecked elephants and Darbans wearing ceremonial costumes and carrying large colourful umbrellas. Police band will play ceremonial music. There will be around 5000 children lined up along Raj Path. The procession will move around the India Gate and onwards to the culmination point at the National Stadium.
The cauldron at the stage at the National Stadium will be lit by the last runner. At the National Stadium, a traditional Indian cultural showcase will be presented. The grand finale for the evening will be a specially choreographed show with 150 leading artistes from all over the country presenting an amalgamation of the multiple cultural styles – Unity in Diversity. After the function, the flame will leave India for the next destination in the night and finally reach Athens in August, where the 2004 Olympics are to be held.
(Release ID :1888)