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For 36-year-old hawker Rajinder Guletia, the 2-km walk from his house in Sadar Bazar to Red Fort on August 15 has become a yearly routine. On Friday, however, Guletia sensed a new energy. After all, a new prime minister was on the podium after 10 years. Wearing a tricolour wig and a small paper flag on his shirt, Guletia had come in early to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm I have never seen before,” said Guletia.
People from various corners of the country had been preparing to reach the Red Fort since dawn. Many took advantage of the free Delhi Metro Rail ride till Chandni Chowk, a few km away from Red Fort.
Preparations were not only around the fort but across the streets of central Delhi, decorated with flowers and lights. At several metro stations on Friday morning, patriotic songs could be heard instead of the usual announcements of arrivals and departures.
At Red Fort, the security arrangements were impressive. Besides local security personnel, the Central Industrial Security Force and National Security Guard were deployed. A police officer said 256 metal detectors were put in place for the day.
Security personnel were instructed not to allow people wearing black clothes inside the venue. “We wanted to make sure this venue did not turn into a protest ground for Union Public Service Commission aspirants,” a police officer said.
That, however, did not deter a group of young men who marched inside in their undershirts, not willing to miss a historic moment. Enthusiasts sang Veer, Tum Badhe Chalo (Brave, keep marching) on the exhausting walk till the venue.
The visitors’ enclosure was swarming with people trying to grab good viewing points. Children had the tricolour painted on their faces, others wore symbolic hats, carried the national flag or were heard shouting slogans for Modi.
The spectacle was such that 72-year-old Devnath Prasad could not resist joining the crowd in chanting Vande Mataram. Shreekant Negi took a 350-km ride from Shimla to listen to his “revolutionary leader.” Dressed in dhoti and kurta, the farmer from Himachal Pradesh said, “I am fascinated with this man. I love the way he takes all views into account to arrive at a decision.”
There were a lot of first-timers who did not want to miss the opportunity. “The best thing about this event was the government reached out to the masses and invited us to witness this historic moment,” Vikranti Tiwari, a student from Delhi, said.
However, not everyone was pleased with the arrangements. Hundreds like 20-year old Rakesh, who had travelled a long distance, had to listen to the prime minister on a loudspeaker outside the fort.
“It is better to see the telecast than make the effort to reach the venue. The authorities underestimated the crowd. Arrangements could have been better,” said Kavya, who travelled from Andhra Pradesh but could not find a seat despite a VIP pass. People also complained of poor loudspeakers.
Modi’s hour-long speech left many flattered. Whenever he touched upon issues of the common man, women’s safety, youth and corruption, the crowd roared. “It was a damdar (strong) speech. Look at his commitment to women’s issues,” said Jareen Khatun, a 35-year-old woman from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
As the speech ended, people hoped Modi would remain committed to his visionary path and greet them on this occasion for several years to come.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm I have never seen before,” said Guletia.
People from various corners of the country had been preparing to reach the Red Fort since dawn. Many took advantage of the free Delhi Metro Rail ride till Chandni Chowk, a few km away from Red Fort.
Preparations were not only around the fort but across the streets of central Delhi, decorated with flowers and lights. At several metro stations on Friday morning, patriotic songs could be heard instead of the usual announcements of arrivals and departures.
At Red Fort, the security arrangements were impressive. Besides local security personnel, the Central Industrial Security Force and National Security Guard were deployed. A police officer said 256 metal detectors were put in place for the day.
Security personnel were instructed not to allow people wearing black clothes inside the venue. “We wanted to make sure this venue did not turn into a protest ground for Union Public Service Commission aspirants,” a police officer said.
That, however, did not deter a group of young men who marched inside in their undershirts, not willing to miss a historic moment. Enthusiasts sang Veer, Tum Badhe Chalo (Brave, keep marching) on the exhausting walk till the venue.
The visitors’ enclosure was swarming with people trying to grab good viewing points. Children had the tricolour painted on their faces, others wore symbolic hats, carried the national flag or were heard shouting slogans for Modi.
The spectacle was such that 72-year-old Devnath Prasad could not resist joining the crowd in chanting Vande Mataram. Shreekant Negi took a 350-km ride from Shimla to listen to his “revolutionary leader.” Dressed in dhoti and kurta, the farmer from Himachal Pradesh said, “I am fascinated with this man. I love the way he takes all views into account to arrive at a decision.”
There were a lot of first-timers who did not want to miss the opportunity. “The best thing about this event was the government reached out to the masses and invited us to witness this historic moment,” Vikranti Tiwari, a student from Delhi, said.
However, not everyone was pleased with the arrangements. Hundreds like 20-year old Rakesh, who had travelled a long distance, had to listen to the prime minister on a loudspeaker outside the fort.
“It is better to see the telecast than make the effort to reach the venue. The authorities underestimated the crowd. Arrangements could have been better,” said Kavya, who travelled from Andhra Pradesh but could not find a seat despite a VIP pass. People also complained of poor loudspeakers.
Modi’s hour-long speech left many flattered. Whenever he touched upon issues of the common man, women’s safety, youth and corruption, the crowd roared. “It was a damdar (strong) speech. Look at his commitment to women’s issues,” said Jareen Khatun, a 35-year-old woman from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
As the speech ended, people hoped Modi would remain committed to his visionary path and greet them on this occasion for several years to come.
