‘90 heads of mission to visit Darbar Sahib on October 22’

Bathinda: Union food processing industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said acceding to the invitation extended by the Union government, 90 heads of missions from different countries are expected to come to Darbar Sahib in Amritsar on October 22.

“To spread the message of Guru Nanak Dev on his 550th Parkash Purb, we have invited all resident heads of missions (HoMs) to visit Darbar Sahib, where they will be apprised about the Sikh history, teachings and lives of Guru Sahib. I hope this outreach will take the message of universal brotherhood to the entire world on this pious occasion,” said Harsimrat, while addressing a press conference at Jalalabad on Saturday after campaigning for byelection.

She also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the much-awaited Kartarpur Sahib corridor on November 9. This would make the Sikh Panth’s ardas of “Khule Darshan Deedar of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara” a reality. She said Home minister Amit Shah and President Ram Nath Kovind are scheduled to participate in the historic celebrations being held at the holy city Sultanpur Lodhi on November 11 and 12, respectively.

On Pakistan’s refusal to take back the 20 dollar fee proposed to be charged from the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrims, she said it was a matter of shame for Pakistan. Levying such a fee amounts to disrespecting the sentiments of the Sikh sangat, which is known for its service to humanity across the world.

She said naming the national highway leading to holy city Sultanpur Lodhi from India-Pakistan border via Kartarpur corridor as ‘Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg’ is another dedication to the Guru.