Once again, Delhi has been rebuilt; this time it was in preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
This is no shock considering Delhi has housed several powerful empires over the last 2,500 years, each leaving their own distinct footprint on the fabric of the city.
To many tourists, the metropolis is an overwhelming bombardment of vibrant colours, smells and oven-like temperatures which average 40°C.
However, the Games’ organisers worked to re-design and re-brand Delhi as a “world class city” under the scrutiny of the world’s media.
To achieve this, many changes were made to the fabric of the city.
This included clearing a large proportion of the 1,500 slums housing nearly four million people – just over half the population of London.
Slums, particularly along the Yamuna River that dissects Delhi, were cleared and their population relocated.
Other transformations included an effective transport infrastructure, the building of accommodation for athletes and new power supplies to cure the regular blackouts which affect the city.
Controversy abounded over whether or not Delhi would be ready in time for the Games, but at the eleventh hour the city pulled together and hosted a successful event.
Despite concerns about terrorist strikes, collapsing buildings, rogue animals and plumbing problems, the Games were a great accomplishment for this growing city.
The spectacular colour and vibrancy of the opening ceremony was testament to the organisation and investment of the Games, held in the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
In spite of the unanticipated 34-fold increase in cost, the Games instilled national pride and proved the capability of the Indian government to manage a huge organisational endeavour under the watchful eyes of the rest of the world.