The first batch of pilgrims includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, et al
The much-awaited Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a 4.7-km passage that connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan, will formally be opened for pilgrims today, i.e. on November 9, three days ahead of Guru Nanak Dev's 550th anniversary on November 12.
As earlier decided, formal inauguration ceremonies are to be organised by both India and Pakistan on either side of the border. Both sides had agreed last year to open the corridor to the Kartarpur corridor located in Pakistan, just a few kilometres from the International border, on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. A 300-feet national plag has been planted at the International Border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Indian side of the corridor today, and flag off the first 'jatha' of 500 pilgrims who will be visiting the Gurudwara. The first batch of pilgrims includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, et al. Several other eminent Sikh politicians are also part of the first batch.
According to news agencies, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate today the Integrated Check Post for the Kartarpur Corridor. The check post is a passenger terminal building where the pilgrims will get the clearance to travel through the corridor.
For the Pakistan side, Pak PM Imran Khan will kickstart the inauguration ceremony and open its doors for pilgrims. Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has been invited by the Pakistan High Commission to attend the inauguration ceremony. Several other events have also been planned ahead of Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary.
India and Pakistan had on October 24 signed the agreement connecting Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. With the signing of this agreement, a formal framework was laid down for operationalisation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
Kartarpur Gurudwara has a huge significance in Sikhism since Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the last 18 years of his life in the area where the Gurudwara stands now.
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