The mood about the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games is changing. The media stories about missed deadlines, bad hygiene, shoddy renovation are growing paler.
In the backdrop of a dazzling inaugural ceremony, Delhi is becoming optimistic.
On the noon of October 5 The Delhi Walla was walking in Inner Circle, Connaught Place. The months-old scaffolding had gone and the colonial-era pillars were clean and white.
Shop assistants were fixing plastic placards of Shera, the Games's mascot, on their glass windows. Beggars were nowhere to be seen.
The khaki-clad young women, members of the first all-women force of Naga Police, were stationed with rifles as part of the unprecedented security for the Games.
I met, Jayant Kaul, a Games volunteer, in F-block.
As liaison officer, he was in charge of Neville McCook, a delegate from Jamaica. He had brought the delegate's wife to shop in Connaught Place.
While she was busy in a showroom, Mr Kaul was helping himself with a samosa.
A final year hotel management student, he said, "Mr McCook is very warm and friendly. I'm enjoying every moment of the Games".
{{/usCountry}}A final year hotel management student, he said, "Mr McCook is very warm and friendly. I'm enjoying every moment of the Games".
{{/usCountry}}I was also introduced to Fay Elliott, a Jamaican delegate and other fellow travellers from her part of the world.
"I'm absolutely blown away by Delhi's size," said Ms Eliott.
"Also, all the preconceived idea I had got about Delhi from the foreign press has been thrown out of the window. They are not true. I'm delighted to be in your city."