Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev for spreading the message of unity, while speaking at the inauguration of the Integrated Check Post of Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Punjab on Saturday, 9 November.
Donning an orange turban for the occasion, he also thanked Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, for respecting the sentiments of India.
The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab.
He added that all Sikh gurus had sacrificed for India's unity and Guru Nanak Ji has indeed been “an inspiration for all”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the this will bring ‘double happiness’ to the pilgrims who will now be able to travel through the newly-built 4.5 km-long corridor.
“Will be easy to pay obeisance at Darbar Sahib gurudwara after opening of Kartarpur corridor,” he added.
He then sat down for a langar at Dera Baba Nanak with Union Minister Hardeep Puri, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and others.
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from across the world have been eagerly waiting for this historic inauguration.
Prime Minister Modi reached the Amritsar airport early this morning and paid obeisance at the historic Ber Sahib Gurdwara.
He will flag off the first batch of over 500 Indian pilgrims who will travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province through the Kartarpur corridor. Imran Khan will then inaugurate the corridor on the Pakistani side and receive the pilgrims.
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