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| Despite 'heat' on other border posts, Chamliayal witnesses calm confluence of troops | | Gaiety, zeal mark exchange of pleasantries | |
MISHU GUPTA /
KUNAL SRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 24: As foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan met today in Islamabad to bridge the ties further ,remove trust deficit and push forward the dialogue process, thousands of miles away Indian and Pakistani para-military troops guarding the borders of their respective countries also met albeit under a different ambience.
The occasion was the annual Chamliyal Mela (Fair) where personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pak Rangers joined thousands of devotees at the shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas popularly known as 'Baba Chamliyal' near the border village of Chamliyal on International Border, about 42 kms from here, in Samba district.
Just a day before when the dividing line witnessed heat of firing, the traditional event saw altogether a different chemistry between the security forces of two hostile nations.
After a round of flag meetings over Abdullain (RS Pura) and Poonch firing incidents, the Indo-PaK troops exchanged peasantries with each other.
The 320-year-old 'Chamliyal Mela', which is celebrated on every year on fourth Thursday of June on both sides of the International Border, about 600 yards apart, one being at Chamliyal on the Indian side and the other at Saidanwali village in Pakistan with equal zeal and gaiety.
The Mela has become very popular since November 26, 2003, after the guns have become silent on the border following ceasefire and parallel peace initiatives by both India and Pakistan.
From the early morning today, thousands of people from the adjoining villages and towns of this side of border thronged the shrine to collect Shakkar (Soil) and Sharbat (Water), considered as holy and antiseptic.
On the occasion, Deputy Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier Hemant Kumar from Indian side and Wing Commander Raja Shahid of 2nd Chinab Range, Sialkot Sector from Pakistan exchanged sweets.
Rangers handed over green Chader besides sweets to their Indian counterpart to offer it on Baba Chamliyal's shrine on behalf of the people of Pakistan and Rangers.
The Border Security Force (BSF) officials, who played hosts to their Pakistan counterparts, presented them with 'Sharbat' and 'Shakkar' from the shrine, a tradition which is being practiced for many years now.
The Rangers were gifted with a trolley of Shakkar and tanker filled with Sharbat by BSF for distribution among the devotees on other side of the fence.
As compared to previous year, only officials of Pak Rangers came to offer Chadder and sweets to the shrine on behalf of people of their side today. Notably, last year some students, family members of the officials and civilians had come however this time they were not allowed.
Interacting with the media, Wing Commander Shahid while avoiding questions concerning the recent firing by the Pak Ranger across IB and LoC, told reporters that he was not authorised to speak over it.
Requesting the media persons he said "Don't spoil the occasion by raising questions of political concerns for which I am not at all authorized to comment,"
Terming the event as historical, the Pak Rangers Officer said that it should go on with same enthusiasm.
"Every year thousands of people throng the shrine of Baba Chamliyal at Saidanwali in Pakistan and Chamliyal in India for the annual celebrations and this moment should be used to build good relations between the two countries,"
Speaking to media persons, DIG Hemant Kumar said, " It is a special occasion on both the sides where prayers are offered for peace and tranquility besides such events would help in ensuring cordial relations between the two neighbouring countries."
According to folklore Dalip Singh Manhas, a pious person, was returning home when he was assaulted by some criminals and beheaded. His body fell in Saidanwali village (now in Pakistan) and his head in Chamliyal.
One of his disciples suffering from an incurable skin ailment had a vision of Baba telling him that the soil where his (Baba's) body had fallen had medicinal value. Baba then advised him to mix the soil with water and apply it over the affected parts.
The disciple tried it and was cured. As news spread, people began thronging this place and turned it into a holy shrine.
Since then, believers follow the ritual of applying the soil of Chamliyal referred as 'Shakkar' and 'Sharbat' on their bodies.
The mela this time received unprecedented rush. BSF officials said that around 30,000 people make it to the festival the whole day.
Similar number of people had participated on the other side of the border, the Rangers informed.
The fair spreads a unique feeling of peace and brotherhood among the people. "I come every year here. I prayed that both India and Pakistan should have improved relations," said Gurmeet Singh.
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