An introduction to the holy shrine
Kartarpur corridor is situated on River Ravi which falls on the map of Pakistan. It is hardly about six km beyond the bounds of the holy shrine. This shrine is called the Dera Baba Nanak by the masses. The Baba Dera Nanak is based on Gurdaspur, Punjab which is in India. It is also known as Kartarpur Sahib. The splendid white structure of the Sikh community is seen as the religious significant site of all times.
The foundation stone of Gurdaspur Sahib was placed on 26th November 2018. The laying of the foundation stone was the acknowledgement of the beginning of the Kartarpur corridor. Later to that on the 28th November 2018, the other stone of the foundation was laid on Pakistan hence accomplishing the structure.
The Kartarpur corridor has been trending in the news for a few years now, and just as everything turned upright what next? Let’s see what it has been all in all
What is so special about Kartarpur corridor?
Evidently observable from the shrine in Punjab, Dera Baba Nanak Sahib has a strong history of nearly about half a century (500 years). Some legends narrated that it was built by the Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev in 1522. The last 18 years of the Sikh Guru Dev was spent oat the very same place. According it is the last place that he breathed on. And this was the time when he formed the Sikh community.
The present-day building of Kartarpur Sahib was built by Sardar Bhupinder Singh who was the king of Patiala. The sad part is that the holy structures were destructed and its door was closed for the people till the year 1999, up till the Pakistan authorities decided to get it built once again. As Guru Nanak Dev being a significant structure to both Muslims and Sikhs. Eventually, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur has transformed to a holy site for both the communities.
Details of the Corridor
- Over the river Ravi, a bridge has been built upon as a significant part of the corridor
- Just by making use of the bridge/passage the devotees of both the Indian community will be able to visit the Kartarpur corridor without the need of passport and visas
- The corridor side facing India will expand to Dera Baba Nanak which is base in Gurdaspur, Punjab right to the international border
- The corridor of Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan will cover a distance of precisely about 6 km
Discussion between the 2 neighbouring nations
The most prominent Sikh group better known as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has endeavoring the needs and wants for the corridors in the long run. Although, a formal request had been made by the Prime minister of that time Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the year 1999. The spokesperson & Prime ministers of both the neighboring countries had made parallel efforts for the corridor years back. The prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto and Indian Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee tried their level best to do so in the matter. The unsweetened tie-up of both the countries has averted and affected the construction of the Kartarpur corridor.
Back in 2017, a governmental panel declared that the construction of the corridor cannot happen. The reason being the tighten among the two nations. Alternatively, an idea of getting 4 high-end binoculars in Gurdaspur was proposed. Back in 2018, Navjot Singh Sidhu a famous minister from Punjab was summoned for the oath-taking celebration. And this oath taking ceremony by Imran Khan, present Prime minister of Pakistan was condemned by a handful of BJP leaders. What more was might have created havoc for Navjot Singh Sidhu was the hug with the Army chief.
However, the hug with army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa by Navjot Singh Sidhu ensured that right before the 550th birthday ceremony of Sikh Guru, 2019
The underway tug of War
Two months back, dated 01 September 2018 the other country announced that it will open up the doors for the holy visitors from India. Also, it was ensured that this all will happen before the 550th birth anniversary of the holy legend. This was going to take off the need of Passport and Visas like forever. This act was embraced by the Sikh community comrades around the entire globe, along Navjot Singh Sidhu directly appreciating Imran Khan. Also on the brighter side, the Indian government also approved the construction of the structure. This was decided in a meeting that was headed by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The Kartarpur corridor holds the capacity to let the comfortable and convenient flow of pilgrims to pay a visit to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib. This can be carried all around the year stated Rajnath Singh. In India as well as Pakistan, the neighbouring country is attempting hidden endeavours that they made the first move. However, the foundation stone being laid in India first on 26th November and the same done in Pakistan on 28th November. Nothing too serious to think about, just a matter of who did it first pursuits. That is politics, but in a discussion, Bawa stated that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) layout and design were not even familiar with the corridor.
The anticipation of Truce?
Forgetting the brawl, the most important question that stands still is will the corridor be a reason for the betterment of the relationship between the neighboring countries. The Pakistan and India over the past few years have witnessed a handful of running-in each other or conflicts. Although the construction should start and divine structure be built was a common consent from both the nations.
Not only this the Sufis who belong to Pakistan wanted to visit the
- Kashmiri Pandits of going to Sharda Peeth
- Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer
- Neelum Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and this continues all after one and other
However, according to the experts, this can be the beginning of creating and holy structures in nations not just for the religious reasons. Also for bringing an end to the neverending bitterness between India and Pakistan right after the partition. So to bring about a complete end and eradicate the bitterness for each other the step was taken. Hence a hope for togetherness and love-friendship and understanding has taken a raise in hearts of the people in both the countries. Someone stated it is not just a religious site it is a beginning to a peaceful and healthy relationship for both nations. Finally, we can keep our fingers crossed while hoping for positive happenings in the near future.