The Taj, a hit with foreign athletes
Sunday, October 17, 2010 04:55:47 PM,
IANS
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Agra:
"This is incredible! I can't express my feelings! I have seen and
read all this in books but being here and seeing it, it is
fantastic!" This is how Kenyan men's marathon gold medallist John
Ekiru Kelai reacted on seeing the Taj Mahal.
Kelai was not the only Commonwealth Games athlete to be mesmerized
by the imposing 17th century marble monument to love.
Out of the 350 or so foreign athletes and officials who travelled
on the last of the nine special train journeys to Agra, the Kenyan
was perhaps the most euphoric.
Kelai said the day-long trip to Agra was the best experience he
had in India after the Oct 3-14 Games. And he was more than
willing to appreciate the hospitality of the Indian authorities.
"The trip was great, the food was also very nice. I saw a lot of
goodwill and hospitality of the Indian people," the athlete told
IANS.
Athletes from Malaysia, Britain and Gambia -- among the many
countries represented on the train -- thoroughly enjoyed the
experience of the Taj, India's biggest tourist draw.
After visiting the Taj, the cavalcade proceeded towards more
sightseeing and entertainment before returning to the railway
station under heavy security to return to New Delhi.
People lining up the roads waved to the visitors.
The Indian Railways' Taj Commonwealth Games Express made its ninth
and last journey Saturday.
The service, started Oct 6, carried around 3,500 athletes and
officials from New Delhi's Safdurjung railway station on the
198-km journey to Agra Cantonment station in about three hours.
The coaches were decorated with 231 photo exhibits depicting
Indian culture and more. Attendants in traditional Indian suits
and turban served the passengers.
According to officials, the train trips organised by the railways
and the Uttar Pradesh government were a huge success. "There were
many compliments and no complaint," said one official.
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