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As the BBC's India Election Train chugged out of Mumbai Central station yesterday night, its team of journalists who spent two days in the city left with a sense of awe and admiration for India's democracy, for Mumbai and our politicians. Voting day in the city was reported to the world, in 12 languages, across 14 BBC services.

MiD DAY spoke to some BBC journalists to understand their feeling of witnessing the country's electoral battle.

Global coverage: A team of BBC journalists are in the country to cover the national elections. Voting day in Mumbai was reported to the world, in 12 languages, across 14 BBC services. PIC/Shadab Khan

"Covering the polls in Mumbai was an experience," said the BBC's Yusuf Garaad Omar. He, however, expressed his disappointment at the low turnout.

According to Omar, who heads BBC Somalia, "There were numerous editorials in national newspapers highlighting the importance of voting. But they haven't made an impact."

BBC Persian TV journalist M Ardalan felt the low turnout in Mumbai was shameful. Observing that India had a large number of TV news channels, he said, "The debates are very good and given the way they are conducted, indicate a huge market." Ardalan also felt that Mumbai had an interesting character and, hence, scored over Delhi.

Richard Sambrook, director BBC Global News, said that the BBC's approach to covering the polls was unique.

The team travelling with the tag line, 'Kya India ka vote, chalayega duniya ka note,' (Will the elections in India help in the recovery of the world economy), has also been studying India's response to the ongoing economic crisis. The BBC train travelled from Delhi to Mumbai via Ahmedabad on the second leg of the trip. It will now go to Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna and Allahabad, before returning to Delhi.

Guards beat up news reporter
Five security guards outside Kamala Mills, Lower Parel, allegedly beat a TV news reporter who was covering an event attended by a few film stars, including Shah Rukh Khan. The guard objected to a camera being placed at the gate. A case has been registered at the N M Joshi Marg police station.