Embracing joy, understanding at Wagah Border
Published on: Sunday, January 21, 2024
By: Dr T Selva
The Wagah Border Ceremony is a symbolic and ceremonial event rather than a military confrontation.
EXPLORING various countries can be a transformative and enriching journey that enhances one’s understanding of life.
It provides opportunities for reflection, meaningful experiences, and a heightened sense of life’s purpose.
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One of the best parts about travelling is that it offers a perspective shift from preconceived notions and broadens an individual’s worldview.
I recently visited the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan and observed a remarkable celebration that gave me insights into embracing a relaxed and joyous approach to life.
It gave me an opportunity to engage with people from different backgrounds, which provided valuable insights, lessons and a comprehensive understanding of the human experience.
The Wagah Border is a famous border crossing between India and Pakistan, located near the Pakistani city of Lahore and the Indian city of Amritsar.
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The border is 29km from Amritsar and 24km from Lahore, and it is known for the most celebrated Wagah Border Ceremony. Since 1959, a daily military ceremony has taken place at the border gate.
Daily military practice marks the closing of the border at sunset, and it has become a popular tourist attraction due to its vibrant and energetic display.
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The ceremony was characterised by elaborate and synchronised drills, flag-lowering rituals, and military personnel from both sides participating in aggressive yet coordinated posturing.
The Wagah Border Ceremony showed symbolic significance, representing the lowering of the national flags and the closing of the border gates for the night.
The ceremony presented military showmanship and patriotism from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers.
Although the Indian military displayed a stronger force and crowd of spectators compared to the Pakistani border troops, the tense mood was laced with celebration.
I was particularly moved by the patriotic atmosphere where hundreds of spectators, all women, were invited to dance and participate enthusiastically, cheering for their respective countries.
The exhilarating event was charged with patriotic songs and chants and displayed national pride and cultural exchange.
The Wagah Border is also a checkpoint for trade and transportation between India and Pakistan.
The Attari-Wagah railway station facilitates the movement of goods and people between the two countries.
Although the Wagah Border Ceremony is a symbolic and ceremonial event rather than a military confrontation, the event brought joy and happiness among the attendees.
Regardless of your mood, participating in the Wagah ceremony will uplift your spirits, as it will prompt you to stomp your feet, sing, or dance along to captivating songs and music.
The ritualised nature of the ceremony reflects the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan and serves as a testament to the cultural and historical ties that connect the two nations.
My firsthand experience of the ceremony provided me with insight into how, despite tension between two parties, there exists the potential for happiness and opportunities for personal growth.
It also helped broaden my understanding of the world and foster empathy.
Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestseller books Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at [email protected] / Facebook: Vasthu Sastra
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