From sportspersons to physically handicapped individuals, from achievers and role models to upcoming talents -- people from all walks of life would spread the message of "pass the flame, unite the world" when they carry the Olympic torch across the capital city on June 10.
The Olympic torch, which will traverse a distance of 78,000 kilometers and pass through 33 countries before reaching the venue of the Games in Athens, will be coming to India for the first time.
"A total of 105 eminent personalities, including sportspersons, students, film personalities and business persons, would carry the flame from Qutub Minar to the National Stadium," President of Indian Olympic Association Suresh Kalmadi told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Those carrying the flame include cricketers Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble, sportspersons of yesteryears -- Khazan Singh, Milkha Singh, Kapil Dev, shooter Anjali Bhagwat, tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, footballer Baichung Bhutia and film stars -- Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjeee, Vivek Oberoi and Bipasha Basu.
Kalmadi said the torch relay was aimed at spreading the values of "participation, brotherhood and peace" as symbolised by the Olympics movement.
The flame, ignited by sun rays and which began its journey from the ancient Olympia city, would visit all the cities which have hosted Olympics or those who hope to, across all the five continents before reaching Athens for the opening ceremony.
The flame would come to India via a special flight from Beijing, China, who are hosting the next edition of the Games in 2008.
"Since the flame would be coming here from Beijing, who have made tremendous arrangements for the relay, we cannot lag behind. The whole world would be watching India as we are to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and compare the two of us," Kalmadi said.
While the IOA has nominated 30 of the 105 personalities due to take part in this first-ever global Olympic torch relay, the remaining names have been shortlisted by the sponsors -- Coco Cola India and Samsung -- through a nomination programme in which they had asked the people to pick their role models.
"As a precursor to the torch relay and to involve the masses in this mega event, the state government has also organised several activites including essay competitions and debates in schools and universities across Delhi on May 29," Chief Secretary of Delhi Shailaja Chandra said.
The relay will culminate at the National Stadium, the venue where the Asian Games movement first began in 1951.
The journey of the torch would last some 78 days, with each torchbearer carrying the flame for about 400 metres.
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