Sunday, December 21, 2008

The Wagah Border

Next on our agenda was the Wagah Border. Amritsar must the only big city closest to the India-Pakistan border. It took us about an hour to reach the Wagah border. We reached at around 5 pm in the evening. The crowds had started gathering at the entrance. From the entrance the we had to walk up to the gate which is about a kilometre away. From here, we could see the 'other' side. I tried to figure out the difference between the two sides. They both looked the same. The colour of the soil, the green fields, the seasonal flower blooms - they all looked similar on both sides. The only difference that I could make out was man-made. Soon we were up in the stands near the gate. There was a patriotic enthusiasm in the air as the BSF played desh-bhakti songs and an energetic host from the troops got the crowds going with slogans of 'Vande-Mataram' and 'Hindustan Zindaabad.' The jawans of the BSF with their elegantly royal uniforms got the applause of crowds as they marched towards the gate. This ceremony is called as 'Lowering the flag.' The gates opened and Jawans from both the sides marched and saluted each other in a highly aggressive manner. The crowd was at the pinnacle of excitement at this moment. The pride in one's own country and hostility towards the other was there to be seen. It was a really awe-inspiring experience.

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