Security checks in Delhi during Obama visit: Here's what to expect

Even a valid pass may not ensure you entry to this year’s Republic Day parade with over 2,000 officials from the police, paramilitary forces and the US security services keeping a close watch on visitors.

Sources from the paramilitary forces said the security personnel have been ordered to spend at least 15 seconds frisking each person to ensure a thorough examination before letting visitors enter the venue of the parade. The normal frisking time is five seconds.

The officials can deny entry to anyone if found to be suspicious, officials added.

“At any point of the three-tier security check, the officials on duty can deny entry to a person. If a person looks suspicious due to his appearance or on any other parameter, he can be stopped from entering and we are not bound to give any explanation for holding him up,” said a senior Delhi Police official.

However, this information could not be independently verified by HT.

The first batch of officials from the US secret service had already reached the Capital last week and had been conducting security checks at various locations, including five-star hotels, high-rise buildings and even hospitals around the venue of the US president’s stay and the parade.

“The spectators will have to reach the venue at least an hour before the programme is scheduled to start because the security check will require time. The entry will be closed half-an-hour before the parade and no one will be allowed inside after that,” said the official.

Over 500 police officials stationed at Rajpath on January 26 were given a two-day training on profiling participants. This is a security practice performed by American security agencies in sensitive locations such as their airports, where people are assessed by their behaviour of any possible threat.

“Participants can be randomly picked up for longer examinations also. We expect people to cooperate with the security checks this time due to the sensitivity of the event,” added the official.

Civic Centre shut down

The tallest building of the city — the headquarters of the North and South Delhi municipal corporations — was closed at 2 pm on Thursday by Delhi Police. The 28-storey Civic Centre was closed from 2 pm on Thursday and will reope

n on Friday 2 pm. The  police will keep the building closed on February 25 and 26.  

According to the police, 71 high-rise buildings will be partly or completely shut down in the vicinity of Rajpath for Republic Day celebrations. The Red Fort, walled city and parts of Connaught Place are clearly visible from the Civic Centre.

AIIMS inspection

A five-member team of US security officials also inspected the facilities at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) too ahead of US president Barack Obama’s visit.

The team of the US security experts visited the AIIMS Trauma Centre and the main AIIMS last week. The team had visited the hospital in December as well, according to AIIMS sources.

Around 90 ambulances and team of doctors will also be stationed around Rajpath during the Republic Day celebrations on Monday. Ambulances equipped with modern medical gadgets will be kept on standby for the use of VVIPS/VIPS.

PK tweet review: First day, first show

What is the film 'PK' all about? Will Aamir Khan be able to stun fans with his ability to do something different, again? Will the filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's much anticipated film set the cash registers ringing at the box office? Well, these are the questions that popped up ever since the first promo of the film was released.

With just a few minutes left for the the first show of 'PK' to begin, we tell you why exactly the film has been garnering huge applause. 'PK' revolves around a stranger in the city, who gets into trouble, is thrashed and chased by people for asking some really strange questions. Known only by his initials, it is the curiosity of PK that makes the film so special.

From Aamir Khan's weird style sense to his naivety, Rajkumar's ability to blend a thought-provoking theme and humour flawlessly, and the presence of skilled actors - Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput and Boman Irani - 'PK' has virtually everything to become one of the most successful films of 2014

LIVE: ISRO launches next generation rocket GSLV Mark III from Sriharikota

As per the plan, soon after the lift-off at Sriharikota, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would study the flight validation of the complex atmospheric flight regime of LVM 3 and would also test the ability of the CREW module to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere with thermal resistance, parachute deployment in cluster formation, aero braking system and apex cover separation procedures.

The CREW module would be separated from the rocket about 325.52 seconds after the lift-off at 126.16 km altitude. The specially made parachutes would help the module ‘soft-crash’ in the Bay of Bengal, some few hundred km from Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which would later be fetched by Indian Coast Guard ships.

The module will splash down 600 km from Port Blair and 1,600 km from the space centre. The capsule will be recovered by an Indian Coast Guard or Indian Navy ship.

While the rocket cost ISRO Rs 140 crore, the crew module has taken another Rs 15 crore.
The crew module, looking like a giant-size cup cake - black in colour on top and brown at the bottom - weighs around four tonnes.

According to an ISRO official, it will be in the size of a small bedroom and can accommodate 2-3 people.
Realisation of 42.4 metre tall GSLV Mk-III would help ISRO place heavier satellites into orbit.
GSLV Mk III is conceived and designed to make ISRO fully self-reliant in launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class, which weigh 4,500 to 5,000 kg. It would also enhance India’s capability to be a competitive player in the multi-million dollar commercial launch market.