Highlights
- PM Narendra Modi arrived at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Saturday and met former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal
- Inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor is a historic move between neighbours India and Pakistan
- PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the passenger terminal building of the Kartarpur Corridor which will connect the Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province
- 4.7-km long passage which will grant Indian pilgrims access to resting place of Guru Nanak Dev who died at the start of the 16th century
Dera Baba Nanak, Punjab: While inaugurating the Integrated Check Post of Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday thanked his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan for respecting the sentiments of the people of India and said that the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor has "brought us immense happiness".
"I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan Niazi, for respecting the sentiments of India. The opening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devi Ji has brought us immense happiness," he said at the inauguration of the Integrated Check Post of Kartarpur Corridor here.
PM Modi said that it will now be easy to pay obeisance at Darbar Sahib gurudwara after the opening of Kartarpur corridor.
Donning a turban, the Prime Minister said that it will be easy for pilgrims to undertake 'darshan' of the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib with the opening of the corridor.
"I am fortunate that I am dedicating the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor to the country today. I thank all who were a part of the association of the corridor," he added.
The Prime Minister said that Guru Nanak Dev gave the message of unity and brotherhood and said that he gave a new direction to the society.
"Guru Nanak Dev was an inspiration for the entire humanity. He taught us that truth and honesty always open the way to progress and prosperity. He also taught us that wealth will keep on coming, but true values always remain. We must continue to imbibe the teachings of Guru Nanak that are relevant in today's world," Modi said.
The passenger terminal building, also known as Integrated Check Post, where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the newly-built corridor. The ICP check post will facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartapur Sahib in Pakistan.
The corridor, which connects the Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province, is formally opened to pilgrims on Saturday, three days before the 550th anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, on November 12.
Before heading for Dera Baba Nanak, the Prime Minister paid obeisance at historic Ber Sahib Gurdwara at Sultanpur Lodhi.
At the gurdwara, PM Modi was received by former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee chief Jagir Kaur, who is incharge of celebrations connected with 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak Dev. The Prime Minister was presented a 'siropa' (robe of honour) by Kaur on behalf of the SGPC.
The first jatha of Indian Sikh pilgrims have arrived in Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor which will welcome 5,000 pilgrims per day.
Modi's arrival at Dera Baba Nanak
Dera Baba Nanak (Punjab): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Saturday and met former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Modi inaugurated the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor later in the day.
In his speech, PM Modi thanked Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan for "cooperation" on visa-free Sikh corridor.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived at the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor.
Pilgrims
Modi will flag off on Saturday the first batch of 500 Indian pilgrims, which includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and her husband and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal and several ministers, MPs and MLAs from Punjab who will travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur Corridor.
Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, will lead the Indian delegation as the religious leader.
India and Pakistan will hold separate ceremonies on either side of the border to inaugurate the corridor which will grant Indian pilgrims access to the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev who died at the start of the 16th century.
The state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building, also known as Integrated Check Post, where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the corridor, is built on 15 acres land.
The fully airconditioned building akin to an airport has over 50 immigration counters for facilitating about 5000 pilgrims a day. It has all the necessary public amenities like kiosks, washrooms, childcare, first aid medical facilities, prayer room and snacks counters inside the main building.
On the other hand, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will also inaugurate the other side of the route on the same day, apart from other events that will be hosted to mark Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary.
Modi arrives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Saturday and met former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Modi will inaugurate the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor later in the day.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived at the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor.
Modi will today flag off the first batch of 500 Indian pilgrims, which includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and her husband and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal and several ministers, MPs and MLAs from Punjab who will travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur Corridor.
Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, will lead the Indian delegation as the religious leader.
The state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building, also known as Integrated Check Post, where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the corridor, is built on 15 acres land.
The fully airconditioned building akin to an airport has over 50 immigration counters for facilitating about 5000 pilgrims a day. It has all the necessary public amenities like kiosks, washrooms, childcare, first aid medical facilities, prayer room and snacks counters inside the main building.
On the other hand, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will also inaugurate the other side of the route on the same day, apart from other events that will be hosted to mark Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary.
