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A Corridor Will Be Built For Visiting Resting Place of Guru Nanak Dev

PUNJAB Government and Sikh leaders have thanked the central government for resolving to build and develop a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district to the International Border to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi River in Pakistan. Kartarpur is the resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikh religion. He had spent 18 years of his life in the locality. Guru Nanak, who was born in Nankana Sahib 549 years ago, in now near Lahore in Pakistan. Kartarpur Sahib, located just across the International Border, is one of the holiest shrines of Sikh community. The decision to build the corridor was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Kartarpur corridor project with all modern amenities and facilities to be implemented with Central Government funding,” said Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh. The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year. The Pakistan government will be urged to reciprocate and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory. A high-powered telescope will be installed along the Indo-Pak border for devotees to view Kartarpur Sahib in Punjab.The issue of Kartarpur Sahib came into focus after Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu visited Pakistan in August to attend the oath-taking ceremony of his cricketer-turned-politician friend Imran Khan as prime minister of that country.After his return, Sidhu claimed that Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had told him that Pakistan may open a corridor to Kartarpur Sahib. Raj Nath Singh the union cabinet also decided to develop the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi as heritage town on smart city principles.As major attraction for pilgrims and tourists, a heritage complex at Sultanpur Lodhi, ‘Pind Babe Nanak da’ to be developed to depict times of  Guru Nanak Dev. Sultanpur Lodhi railway station to be upgraded and developed. A centre for inter faith studies to be set up at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Chairs on Guru Nanak Dev to be set up in one university each in the United Kingdom and Canada. International seminar on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev to be organized in New Delhi.Singh said commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released by the government and religious activities will be organized throughout the country. Doordarshan to telecast programmes on Guru Nanak Dev and Gurubani. The Ministry of Railways will run a train passing through holy places associated with Guru Nanak Dev.States and Union Territories are being requested to celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in a befitting manner. The Indian missions overseas will organize special events on the occasion. UNESCO to be requested to publish Guru Nanak Dev’s writings in world languages. The National Book Trust will publish Gurbani in different Indian languages, the  Home Minister added.

 

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