New Delhi, Dec 25: Soon after the National Anthem marked the end of the function, and much before the assembled leaders could leave the dais, there was a mad rush to be a part of the historic first Metro Rail ride. Those seen virtually crashing through the gates of Seelampur Metro station included ministers, legislators, bureaucrats, diplomats and celebrities of every hue. For once, senior editors left their younger correspondents behind in the sprint to be on board. Keeping aside the apprehensions, everyone was eager to be on the train to have a feel for themselves. "They are running like kids," said a senior citizen who was part of the huge crowd. But he, too, accelerated his steps when somebody in the crowd shouted, "Run, the Metro is leaving." There came a point when the rush was such that the escalator stopped for a few minutes. For months, Delhiites had seen and heard about the Metro Rail through jingles on FM radio, TV channels and newspapers. Barricades with "Delhi Metro" written on them had also become a common sight on the roads. And to top it all, for the past few days posters of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the newly appointed chairman of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Madan Lal Khurana, could be spotted on the walls of the areas surrounding the six stations.