Olympic torch relay starts in Delhi

 The torch was lit at Raisina Hill by Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi. The relay, comprising around 70 participants from all walks of life, saw the torch quickly changing hands as it made its way to the India Gate, where a cauldron waited to be lit.

 The torch, that had arrived in Delhi in the early hours today, was greeted by schoolchildren who had lined up alongside the Rajpath, waving the Indian tricolour and Chinese flags. Meanwhile a group of Tibetan protesters tried to barge into Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening as part of their demonstrations coinciding with the Beijing Olympic torch relay even as police used mild force to prevent them.

 The protesters, numbering about 30, descended upon the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Gate No. 38 located in North Avenue at around 4:45 p.M., taking police by surprise. There were only a few policemen on the spot but more force was rushed.

  Police used mild force, including baton charging, to prevent them from entering the official residence of the President of India. All of them were taken into custody and were taken to a nearby police station