Kartarpur corridor: Fresh step in reconciliation between nations
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has said he is ready to engage in talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the most welcome step towards better relationships between both nations. Speaking to Indian reporters who had attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor project, Imran Khan has said encouraging terrorism activities would be detrimental for the future of Pakistan, which right now is working to establish peace.
India and Pakistan are neighbouring nations that should live in peace. This would help the nations prosper as well. While Pakistan needs to understand this, the war mongers in India need to comprehend with this truth as well. People of both nations do not want war since they are connected with each other at birth itself. But the issue is getting complicated thanks to politicians who care less for people’s concerns. The unrest between both nations is being beneficial for the others. Development and progress is possible only where there is peace and coexistence.
Talks have been on between both nations since long to establish peace but to no avail. India was connected to Lahore during Vajpayee’s time as PM, through Samjhota express. There were voices of dissidence within BJP over this. Now there is a new promise of improving relationships between both nations with Kartarpur Corridor. This project will connect Kartarpur Darbar Sahib Gurudwara which is a holy place of Sikhs.
The founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev had spent last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. This place consolidated the Sikhs to establish Sikhism. People living in the border area feel this corridor would improve relationships between both countries. But this may not happen instantaneously. PM Modi comparing this project to the tearing down of Berlin wall is a bit of stretched imagination. Union minister Sushma Swaraj’s words that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand, are a matter to ponder over. India has rejected the Pak invitation to participate in SAARC summit. Governments of both countries want the credit of Kartarpur corridor to themselves. Whatever be the case, improvement in bilateral relations will serve both countries well. A few issues need to be cleared about the corridor in this context. Would visitation rights be granted only during special occasions or can pilgrims visit Kartarpur round the year? Should they visit in groups or can they go alone? What would be the duration of their stay?
Though Kartarpur cannot sort out the issues pertaining to troubled relationship between both countries, this is a promising step towards better solution that can come up in the future. Hopefully this scheme that has been initiated to complete before the commemoration of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, should contribute to improving the relationships between two countries that are joined by their roots.
While the nation divided into two, the pilgrimage spaces were also torn away post partition in 1947 after India attained independence. Hence places of worship for people of both nations, exist in the other nation’s vicinity too. India and Pakistan have signed a treaty to allow issuance of visa for people of both countries to visit each other’s religious places such as Mandir and Dargah. The corridor right now is free from visa hassles and this would help the Indians to a large extent.
Imran Khan has been liberal in his stance towards allowing religious visits. He has said he would consider opening places of religious importance such as Sharada Peetha that exist in Pak Occupied parts of Kashmir. Administrative officer of Sringeri mutt had sought permission to visit Sharada Sarvajna Peetha in PoK. People on both sides need to act with positivity and respect to improve relations between the nations. The governments should facilitate peace through their decisions and this would reduce the animosity between both countries.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
