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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday,23 November, hoped the Kartarpur corridor would act as a bridge between the peoples of India and Pakistan that might lead to a better future as he referred to the fall of the Berlin Wall to underline the importance of people-to-people contact.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev, the prime minister referred to the Partition and said, "What has happened in 1947 has happened." He said the issues between the governments and the armies would continue and only time will show the way out.
Underlining the strength of people-to-people contact, the prime minister said:
The Pakistan government on Friday, 23 November, announced that it will open the Kartarpur Corridor next year for the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will lay the foundation stone of the corridor on the Pakistani side on 28 November, news agency ANI reported.
The announcement was made a day after the Union Cabinet approved the building and development of the corridor.
Meanwhile, Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, in a letter issued on 23 November to Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, hailed the steps taken by the central government, saying he is extremely grateful to the government.
Kartarpur Sahib, located in Pakistan, is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev and one of the holiest shrines of Sikhs.
In a series of tweets, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, 22 November, that the decision to build the Kartarpur corridor was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.
He also added that the corridor project with all modern amenities and facilities will be implemented with the funding from the Centre.
Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said:
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India has approached Pakistan government to recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community and build the corridor, in keeping with the resolution adopted by the Cabinet on Thursday.
"We have approached and urged the Pakistan government to recognise the sentiments of Sikh community and build a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory to facilitate easy and smooth visits of pilgrims from India to Kartarpur Sahib throughout the year," he said.
Pakistan has conveyed to India its decision to open the Kartarpura corridor, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on 22 November.
Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry welcomed India's announcement and said the construction of the Kartarpur corridor will be a "victory of peace.”
"It is a step towards the right direction and we hope such steps will encourage voice of reasons and tranquillity on both sides of the border," he tweeted.
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh welcomed the Centre's decision to build and develop the corridor. "The move will facilitate lakhs of pilgrims desirous of visiting the Kartarpur gurdwara," Singh said in a statement.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) hailed the Cabinet approval and said it was a “befitting” tribute to Guru Nanak Dev’s vision.
Welcoming the Centre's initiative, SAD patron and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said, "This is indeed a befitting tribute to the great Guru Nanak Dev ji's cosmic vision transcending all kinds of barriers among human beings of different castes, creeds and countries.”
The Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the decision has fulfilled the wish of the Sikh community across the world.
In a joint statement, the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Harpal Singh Cheema, and Spokesperson MLA Baljinder Kaur, also appealed the Centre to simplify visa requirements for religious trips to Pakistan.
The leaders asked the External Affairs Ministry to set up an office in Amritsar to assist pilgrims.
The issue of Kartarpur Sahib came into focus after Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu visited Pakistan in August to attend the oath-taking ceremony of his cricketer-turned-politician friend Imran Khan as prime minister of that country.
Singh said commemorative coins and postage stamps will be released by the government and religious activities will be organised throughout the country.
Rajnath Singh also said the Union Cabinet had decided to develop the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi as a heritage town on smart city principles.
As major attraction for pilgrims and tourists, a heritage complex at Sultanpur Lodhi, 'Pind Babe Nanak da' will be developed to depict times of Guru Nanak Dev. Sultanpur Lodhi railway station will also be upgraded and developed.
A centre for inter faith studies will be set up at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Chairs on Guru Nanak Dev will be set up in one university each in the United Kingdom and Canada, and an international seminar on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev will be organised in New Delhi.
The Ministry of Railways will run a train passing through holy places associated with Guru Nanak Dev.
The home minister said states and union territories are being requested to celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in a befitting manner.
A high-level committee chaired by the home minister will regularly review, monitor and oversee the implementation of activities to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
(With inputs from PTI)
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