photo gallery republic day 2006 illumination

8/14/2019 Photo Gallery Republic Day 2006 Illumination

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REPUBLIC DAY ILLUMINATIONS DELHI

I had been attending Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat ceremonies as an

official invitee .A car parking stickers is essential to reach the venue. The securityagencies are very strict and even ball pens are not allowed what to talk of camera. Only

accredited press photographers have access to cover events from vantage positions. Now

being a humble citizen of India, even to see the illuminations of our landmark buildings, Ihad to be at mercy of Delhi police to get closer to illuminated buildings.

On 26th January I went to India Gate Hexagon. Parked my car close to barrier on

Rajpath. Used barrier as a prop for my camera and took couple of photos. Police man onduty hassled me to leave immediately so I moved on.

INDIA GATE

On return journey I thought I could get closer to Vijay Chowk but again I was

confronted with a barrier at Rajpath. Here like me many spectators were having view of

illuminated buildings; some like me were taking pictures. Vijay Chowk was out of bound



for civilians as place had to be sensitized for Beating Retreat ceremony on 29 th . Parking

of car was a problem as I did not know where to park my car so left my wife in

Car.

VIEW FROM VIJAY CHOWK

.



RASTRAPATI BHAWAN DOME



NORTH BLOCK REFLECTION



SOUTH BLOCK REFLECTION

PARLIAMENT HOUSE



I was very keen to get some photos from closer range, so made another attempt on 29th .I

watched the ceremony on TV and left home, which is some 30 minutes drive from

Rajpath, after the President had left. I thought, by the time I reach all VIPs would haveleft and I could reach Vijay Chownk. Here once again I was wrong. Delhi Police had not

opened road leading Vijay Chownk. I took detour and some how reached Rafi Marg.

Luckily I found parking area open to public close to Metro station. I started walkingtowards Vijay Chownk but once again Delhi police chap wanted me to leave area and go

to Rajpath barrier. I followed his instructions .I was unhappy that people are shoved

around even on National day when they want to take pride in seeing historical buildings .Itook some more photographs and returned to my car. I found some people were walking

towards Vijay Chownk, so I followed them. The cop who had asked me to leave had

probably gone off duty .After some distance, another Home guard obstructed my further

movement but some how I convinced him to allow me to take pictures. Lot of people hadalready reached Vijay Chownk. The furniture suppliers were busy removing chairs

provided for spectators, who had come to witness the ceremony .I walked up Raisina Hill

where Rashtrapati Bhawan is located to have closer view .Here once again just before

reaching top , few jawans from para military force obstructed visitors proceeding further,so I had to content with getting photo of dome only. What bothers me is that security

personnel make their own rules about movement of people .There is no harm to permitvisitors closer to the gates of Rashtrapati Bhawan which is well guarded.

While returning, I had pleasant meeting with a group of Delhi police chaps. I asked them

if fountains had water. They confirmed and readily agreed to my request to go there. I got

some very good photos which made my visit a memorable one.I am narrating this experience to show difficulties an ordinary citizen has to go

through even to enjoy sight of beautifully illuminated National buildings.

Ramesh Lalwani

Jan 2006

photo gallery republic day 2006 illumination

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