Close X
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
ADVT 
International

Hope To Bring Kartarpur Corridor To Fruition: Indian Envoy Ajay Bisaria

Darpan News Desk IANS, 29 Aug, 2018 12:05 PM
    The visit comes just days after Punjab Minister Navjot Sidhu attended the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan Prime Minister. Later in a media interaction, Sidhu had mentioned that Pakistan Army chief Qamar Bajwa suggested that the possibility of opening up the Kartarpur corridor to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev next year is under consideration. 
     
     
    The nearly 4km corridor if open would connect Kartarpur Sahib -- where Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life -- to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur on the Indian side. 
     
     
    According to sources in Pakistan, the envoy during his visit looked towards the Indian border visible from the Gurdwara rooftop, interacted with the caretakers and also explored the possibility of the corridor."We hope to bring this longstanding proposal to fruition with focused follow-up and coordination with the Pakistan side. This corridor will have a special appeal and significance for devotees as we celebrate 550 years of Guru Nanak Ji's birth next year," said envoy Ajay Bisaria speaking exclusively to The Tribune.
     
     
    The proposal of the corridor first came up during the Musharraf era sometime in 2000 but was never actively followed up after sometime. Sikh pilgrims from India visiting Pakistan have been provided access to Kartarpur Sahib over the years through Wagah and Lahore. 
     
     
    However, a direct corridor from Punjab would be very different. "Kartarpur Sahib was the resting place for Guru Nanak Dev for several years. It will be an important gesture from Pakistan for the pilgrims if it happens. It will be significant for many devotees," Sarat Sabharwal, former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan told. 
     
     
    There is no clarity yet on the modalities and logistics under discussion and if the corridor could be opened for a few days only next year or for the long term. 
     
     
    Meanwhile, Bisaria who was stopped by Pakistani authorities from entering gurdwaras, including Nankana Sahib during recent visits, was accorded a warm welcome at Kartarpur . However, he was not presented a robe of honour (siropa), as per sources.
     

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Self-Styled 'Godman' Held From Uttar Pradesh Ashram, 6 Girls Rescued

    Self-Styled 'Godman' Held From Uttar Pradesh Ashram, 6 Girls Rescued
    Five people, including Prasad, have been arrested from the ashram from where six minor girls have been freed and sent to Bal Kalyan Samiti for counselling, the magistrate said.

    Self-Styled 'Godman' Held From Uttar Pradesh Ashram, 6 Girls Rescued

    Immigration System Needs To Be Quicker, Equal: Indian Techie’s Widow Sunayana Dumala

    Immigration System Needs To Be Quicker, Equal: Indian Techie’s Widow Sunayana Dumala
    Noting that the Indian-Americans were facing a lot of "trouble", the 32-year-old Sunayana urged them to "raise their voice and share their stories."

    Immigration System Needs To Be Quicker, Equal: Indian Techie’s Widow Sunayana Dumala

    Kashmiri Journalist Gulam Jeelani Selected For Indian-American Funded Fellowship

    Kashmiri Journalist Gulam Jeelani Selected For Indian-American Funded Fellowship
    Delhi-based Kashmiri journalist Gulam Jeelani has been chosen for a fellowship in the US funded by a foundation started by prominent Indian-American entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist Frank Islam and his wife Debbie Driesman.

    Kashmiri Journalist Gulam Jeelani Selected For Indian-American Funded Fellowship

    Saudi National Cultural Festival Honours India, Is Biggest In Gulf

    Al Janadria, the national cultural festival of Saudi Arabia that has India as the 'Guest of Honour' country this year, is being inaugurated on Wednesday near here by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

    Saudi National Cultural Festival Honours India, Is Biggest In Gulf

    Sikh Princess Sophia Duleep Singh Celebrated As Women's Vote Campaigner In UK

    Sikh Princess Sophia Duleep Singh Celebrated As Women's Vote Campaigner In UK
    Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the daughter of the last ruler of the Sikh empire Maharaja Duleep Singh, is among several British women who were celebrated today in the UK to mark the centenary of women's right to vote.

    Sikh Princess Sophia Duleep Singh Celebrated As Women's Vote Campaigner In UK

    Indians Will Have To Shell Out Double For Health Surcharge For UK Visa

    Indians Will Have To Shell Out Double For Health Surcharge For UK Visa
    The health surcharge, introduced in 2015, is £200 per person per year, and it will rise to £400, in line with one of the manifesto promises of the Conservative Party.

    Indians Will Have To Shell Out Double For Health Surcharge For UK Visa