Amitabh Bachchan Bears Olympic Torch in London, Calls Moment 'Indescribable'
Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan enjoyed the privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch, during a relay leg between the City of London and the borough of Southwark, on Thursday, at around 10.30 am BST.
The 69 year old actor, who wore the traditional white track suit during the occasion, called the moment "indescribable" and said it was a proud moment for him and his country to be invited to carry the Olympic flame.
"Faced many situations where enormity of crowd and its response, was unbelievable. But today with Olympic Torch it was indescribable," the actor later tweeted. He carried the Olympic Torch for all of 300m.
"Honored to be asked to carry the Olympic Torch in London at Southwark around 10:30 AM!! A proud moment for me and country!" he tweeted, in anticipation, the previous day.
The actor was cheered by hundreds of fans as he completed his leg of the relay and their enthusiastic response was clearly something he cherished.
"What can one say ?? Olympic Torch, thousands of fans and cheering people lining the streets, and me given the pride of position. It has to be said and must be said now - nothing comes to me without love and support of fans, Ef, TwFmXt .. eternally yours !! And thank you for the glorious messages you have sent me on mobile and twitter. For me, for the Industry, for India honor and pride!" the veteran tweeted.
Thursday was the 69<sup>th day of the Olympic Torch relay for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and the day's runners also featured a UK-based business tycoon of Indian origin, Laxmi Mittal, and the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon.
The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games (click to read an IBTimes UK preview) is scheduled for 9 pm BST, on Friday night and will begin with the traditional lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by the bearer of the Olympic Torch, which was lit in May at Olympia in Greece.
Incidentally, the day of Bachchan's triumph - 26 July - was also an important day in Indian history. It marked the 13th anniversary of the Kargil War between India and Pakistan and the senior actor was quick to remember and honour his country's fallen heroes.
"In all the excitement of the Olympic Torch, let us not forget the sacrifice of our fighting heroes at Kargil, today !! Jai Hind," he tweeted.
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