The
motive of this blog is just to elaborate in words the love, regard
and respect showered by the people of Pakistan to our people. There
are not proper words to express our feelings, but we are indebted to
their gratitude. When we visit through corridor, the no of people
from India is about 600, whereas the people from Pakistan are more
than double to meet and greet us at the shrine. Although they are not
allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum up to 2 PM, but they are
freely moving outside the main Gurudwara Sahib in the parikarma.
From their expressions, they are very anxious to talk with us. While
discussing and short introductions, they have not shown any ill will
against India rather very happily greet us. Most of the people
visiting from Pakistan side are belonging to teaching fraternity and
educated class. A mature level of understanding is reflected in their
behavior and interaction.
The
cleanliness at the Gurudwara Sahib, Langar kitchen and langar Hall is
very commendable. The food quality and service while serving langar
is very nice. Even a almond pickle was served in the langar.
In the attached picture is the place where the muslim brother bury the ramnants of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, which is close to smadh of Guru Ji, where Hindu performs their last rites.
In
Sikh museum the paintings from Paksitani origin painters were
displayed in which the painitngs of Sikh Gurus and other warriors
like Sardar Ranjit Singh, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa and others Sikh
scholars were displayed. A large number of employees were deployed
by the management committee to make this happen. The washrooms are of
international standard in cleanliness and accessories, a fee of 20$
is not big amount to maintain such a level of management.
The
procedure of applying for the visit is made very transparent and
easy.
The
first myths about this visit is that there is no stamp marked on our
passports. Most of the people does not apply due to the fear of this.
There is a common myth that, whenever a stamp of Pakistan immigration
is marked on one's passport, the other countries denied their visa to
that person. This is not true, there are many more reasons to deny
one's visa on various grounds.
Secondly
we feel that it is not easy to go through the formalities from
applying and police verification etc. But the reality is that
whenever a person applied for his visit, he will get the call from
the concerned Police Station for verification on the same day, that
is it. Then he will get the confirmation four days ahead from the
date of journey.
There
is a ample parking space to park our vehicles outside the Integrated
Check Post, Shri Kartarpur Sahib. You can also park your cars at the
parking of Gurudwara Sahib of Dera Baba Nanak, and a free bus service
is plying from Gurudwara Sahib to ICP. The people from far off places
can also stay at the sarai of Dera Baba Nanak Gurudwara, there is a
huge sarai to accommodate the visitors.
The
staff at ICP from the immigration, customs, BSF and police
authorities from both the countries are very cooperative and they
guide the visitors step by step. It is my humble effort to make aware
the actual experience. And it had taken 70 years to happen , the
Waheguru has listen our ardaas. The Pakistan Govt has made elaborate
arrangement to handle 5000 persons in a day, so we should avail this
facility.
