Envoys of 84 nations gather to pay obeisance at Golden Temple
AMRITSAR:A total of 84 resident heads of foreign missions in India, together, visited the holy city to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple on Tuesday, in the wake of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary.
The visit was organised by Indian council for cultural relations (ICCR) in collaboration with the Punjab government and Shiromani gurdwara parbandhak committee. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and president ICCR, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe accompanied the envoys during the special visit.
They were welcomed again with performances of gidha-bhangra and gatka (Sikh martial art) by students upon their arrival at Heritage Street that leads to the Golden Temple.
Before entering the shrine, they visited the four galleries at the plaza which is located at the entrance of the shrine, where they were familiarised with Sikh history, principles and the Golden Temple. They enjoyed their meal at the langar hall, which is considered as the world’s largest community kitchen. Partaking langar was a first experience for most of the envoys.
After paying obeisance at sanctum sanctorum, they were felicitated by SGPC with a ‘siropa’ (robe of hnour), a replica of the Golden Temple and Sikh literature.
PAK, CHINA ABSENT
Notably, the envoys of some nations did not accompany their counterparts. Pakistan,
China and United Kingdom (UK) skipped the visit. The absence of Pakistan was a hot topic on the occasion as its standoff with India continues, more so after the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, with China being its main ally. Puri dismissed it it, saying they must have other engagements.