Kartarpur itself is a historical as well as a religious place. It was founded by first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev in 1504 AD on the bank of the river Ravi. The meaning of Kartarpur is “place of God”. It is therefore the second holiest place for the Sikhs after Nankana Sahib (which is also in Pakistan), the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev.
No discrimination
The significance of this place is that people of all religions and caste have been living here for centuries in a peaceful atmosphere. Guru Nanak Dev always used to teach good deeds to his disciples in Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. But he delivered three important sermons here to his followers, Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, Wand Chako, which means do work hard for the livelihood, always remember God and share your bounties with the world.
Mere 4 km journey
Kartarpur corridor is a cross-border between the two neighbouring countries. The four-kilometre historic corridor connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The significant of this site is that Guru Nanak Dev settled in this place after his long missionary travels in many parts of the world. He spent almost two decades here along with the sikh community until his death in 1539.
Two PMs inaugurate corridor
The highly-anticipated Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan was formally inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while on the other side his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan ahead on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
Modi flags off first jattha
Narendra Modi started off this historical moment from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Punjab besides this he also flagged off the first batch of 500 devotees of Sikh pilgrims.
End of a long wait
This 16th century Gurudwara is sacred sites for the Sikh community. They have to wait for more than seven decades for this memorable moment, now they can cross the border without visa and fulfil their long cherished dream. Kartarpur corridor hopefully will work as the olive branch and spread peace and brotherhood between the two nuclear power nations.
Huge sarovar for dip
Keeping in mind the religious tradition of Sikh pilgrims, Pakistani government has constructed a huge sarovar, named ‘Smart Lake’ for the religious dip of the devotees for their cleansing. Apart from this, followers can take the holy water of the lake to their homes. The remarkable part of the lake is that it has the capacity to hold on one lakh 25 thousand gallons of holy water with three filter system to keep the water clean to the fullest.
Pakistan to arrange langar
Pakistan has assured India to arrange ‘langer’ and ‘prasad’ for the devotees. Pilgrims have full liberty to chant kirtan and pray ardaas. It is estimated that 5,000 Indian Sikhs will use the Kartarpur corridor to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib everyday without visa.
Beginning to normalise relation
Soon after the launch of Kartarpur corridor, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the inauguration of the historic corridor will mark a good beginning to normalise India-Pakistan relations. He further added “It was a good beginning, India-Pakistan relations are subject to many ifs and buts, I hope this is a good beginning to normalise our relation,”.
A symbol of peace
What a time of inauguration of this corridor? The relation between India and Pakistan is not conducive, tension is boiling on the border. Scrapping of Article 370 and the creation of two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh added fuel in the fire. But Kartarpur corridor agreement in the war like situation between the two nuclear powers may prove an olive branch and a ray of hope of peace can be dreamed.
Modi feels like other Sikhs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor on Saturday, said that he was feeling blessed like any other Sikh devotee on this historic day as they will now be able to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur Pakistan which a day earlier had to be viewed using a binocular.
PM thanks his counterpart
He further said “I want to thank Pakistan Prime Minister Miya Imran Khan ji as he understood and honoured the feelings of Indians about the Kartarpur Corridor and worked towards its completion,”.
US welcomes this move
Not to talk of India and Pakistan entire world was eyeing on the Kartarpur corridor minutely, welcomed its opening. It is a positive progress for the neighbours to go ahead for mutual benefits. The US “welcomes the opening of a new border crossing” between India and Pakistan, “the Kartarpur corridor,” US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.
Kartarpur corridor has been touted as a landmark decision in the midst of hostile relationship between the two nuclear armed countries. This move may not only defuse tension rather prove to be a path breaking decision towards restoring peace and friendship in coming days.
