India 6 January: New Delhi
We started in the morning for a run through Delhi. Those who know India realise that this was not an easy task. The trafic there is crazy and dangerous...
...the family of Atul, our Indian coordinator, gave us a geat support by cheerfully hosting us and running with us...
...Chai - Indian tea - is served everywhere by Chaiwalas...
...and off we went! The youngsters ran a good part of today's route...
..even Parminder, our host, carried the torch quite a distance...
...friendly people and smiling faces everywhere!
..more runners joined in and we made many new friends!
...an unexpected sight in the middle of the city...
...as we arrived at the local police station, a small meeting took place...
Thanks for the support!
...we arrived at the Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) and were greeted by the Assistant Manager of the Gurudwara Management Committee. We received a very warm welcome from him. This Gurudwara is one of India's most famous and ancient Sikh temples. It is situated in the heart of Delhi...
...a hearty welcome...
...the temple is open for everybody. The only preparation you have to do is to cover your head to show respect...
Inside the temple there is an all-gold plated wall and the shrine of Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book of Sikh Faith) with the representation of Guru Nanak Devji's teachings...
...we received special blessing robes...
..and we reiceved "Khara Prasad" - blessed food (what a nice way to get a sweet blessing!). Most of our runners went three times to get it...
In front of the temple there is a huge pool - Pavitra Sarovar -where pilgrims take a quick bath...
...at the temple a spring with pure water emerges. All the water in the area around the temple does not look very good, but this holy water (Amrit) is said to cure all diseases and ailments...
...after our meeting we received a great lunch! Every day the temple feeds 10.000 people; even 100.000at a weekend !!!
Again, thank you for the great hospitality, especially to Mr Paramjeet Sarna, president of the Gurudwara management committee who coordinated this for us.
...we were greeted by runners from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Gole Market School. They carried the torch into their school...
Upon our arrival we were greeted by the school Scouts group in a glamorous fashion. They chanted "Aapka Swagat hai…..Harsh Harsh Jai Jai" translated as "You are welcomed...Joy Joy Hail Hail" loudly.
...the kids gave us a special welcome: a marching performance!
...we went onto the stage and the kids performed for us..
...a nice speech of welcome...
...everything went so smoothly! Great discipline!
...all of our runners were given hand painted greeting cards...
...usually we play with the children our country-guessing game. Teachers are not allowed to help. If teachers cheat, they have to run a lap with the torch...
...all the kids lined up and everybody got a chance to hold the torch and to offer a wish for harmony...
...the silence before the storm...
..on your marks, get set, GO! A stampede of enthusiastic children created a huge clowd of dust on the school grounds...
...now the discipline was gone and fun prevailed!
..two children from the school received the torch bearer award for special service to the community!
Thank you, you are truly a most inspiring school!
...a "Dutch" family joined in as we approached our last meeting...
The team greeted Dr. Kiran Bedi and handed over the torch to her. Dr. Kiran Bedi is an Indian social activist and a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. She also founded two NGOs, the Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation for welfare and preventative policing and the India Vision Foundation for prison reformation. She is also an active participant in India for supporting Anna Hazare in passing of the Anti Corruption Bill in India.
Her Anti-Corruption Movement is very famous and she hase millions of followers! We felt very honored to meet her and enjoyed all the positive and cheerful energy she is spreading.
We were very proud to present to Dr. Kiran Bedi the torch bearer award for her extensive work in the development and betterment of the Indian Community through her NGOs.. She truly represents and embodies the spirit of the World Harmony Run!
Together we ran towards the final destination: the India Gate!
...a minute of silence at the eternal flame...
...wherever Dr. Kiran Bedi appears in public, she attracts immediately a croud of enthsusiastic followers...
Thank you all for the great experience! It was a wonderful time we spent in India and we will definitely return as soon as possible! Bande Mataram!
*New : Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): "World Harmony Run 25th Anniversary:Toward 2022 and a Oneness-World" http://youtu.be/GGsXXWWFdGY
Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 15 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25or Click on language button for informal translations and link to separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages
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See also:
- Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!
- Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min
Distance: 15 km
Team Members:
Uday Divekar (India), Ashok Barulekar (India), Atul Arora (Australia/India), Dipavajan Renner (Austria), Pranam Horlbeck (Switzerland), Nimagan Luther (Germany), Samalya Schäfer (Russia/Germany), Indian runners
Gallery: See more images!
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