INDIA: China Keeps Torch, Tibetans Get Media Mileage

By Ranjit Devraj

NEW DELHI, Apr 17 (IPS) - With the Olympic torch passing safely through India, home of the government-in-exile of the Dalai Lama, China got what it wanted. But then so did the large community of Tibetan expatriates in this country: publicity for their cause.

No one made an attempt to snatch the torch as was widely feared. That would have been impossible, given that no less than 17,000 security personnel were deployed on Thursday to guard the 2.3 km route -- a stretch of the wide boulevard that bifurcates the symmetrical vista in front of the presidential palace in the national capital.

Hemmed in by Chinese marshals in blue and white tracksuits, it took the relay runners, drawn from among the cream of India's sportspersons and entertainers from 'Bollywood', a little more than 40 minutes to cover the distance.

The Tibetans held a parallel torch relay, from the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence, to the Jantar Mantar, an ancient observatory, the lawns of which are reserved for protests.

For the full report, visit http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42036.