Platform for Kartarpur shrine view is history

Ravi Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Dera Baba Nanak, May 7

It was an emotional moment for many as a JCB machine brought down a 3.5-metre-high platform — constructed 11 years ago — for viewing through binoculars the historic Kartarpur gurdwara across the border.

The demolition was on the cards ever since India and Pakistan announced a corridor would be constructed.

The site was popularly called ‘Darshan Sthal’ (viewing site). The binoculars were donated by the BSF and the ‘sthal’ was built by Baba Gurcharan Singh Bedi Baba Jagdeep Singh Bedi Memorial Charitable Hospital. It was inaugurated on May 6, 2008.

Lakhs of devotees viewed the white-painted structure and dome of the Kartarpur shrine from the site ever since it was thrown open. Devotees used to fold hands, recite prayers and bow in reverence.

Jatinder Singh, vice-president of Ceigall India Limited, the company engaged in building the corridor, deposited the binoculars with the BSF today.

The founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev, spent the last 17 years of his life at the shrine.

Talks stuck over Pak appointment

New Delhi: Official-level talks on the Kartarpur corridor are likely to remain stuck as Pakistan remains unmoved over appointment of a pro-Khalistan leader, with links to LeT, as a non-official member of Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board. India has  conveyed its reservations about Pakistan appointing Gopal Chawla, who has been included on a panel  to oversee the Kartarpur corridor project. TNS