Page 39 - 30NOV2019EA

• Too close, yet too far The five-minute
drive from the border took 72 long years
to reach Kartarpur PHOTO FEATURE

• First among equals Navjot
Sidhu was part of the first jatha
to Darbar Sahib

• Sacred place Gurdwara
Darbar Sahib is considered
the second holiest site after
Nankana Sahib

road to prosperity of region [sic] and bright future of
our coming generation lies in peace. Pakistan is not
only opening the border but also their hearts for the
Sikh community.”
Previously, Sikh pilgrims from India had to take a
bus to Lahore to get to Kartarpur, which is a 125-kilo-
metre journey although people on the Indian side
of the border could also physically see Gurdwara
Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the Pakistani side.
An elevated observation platform had also been
constructed on the Indian side, where people could
use binoculars to get a good view.
The first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, founded
Kartarpur in 1504 CE on the right bank of the Ravi
River and established the first Sikh commune there.

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