Lahore, Waqah Border

Waqah Border, Pakistan side

The Wagah border, often called the "Berlin wall of Asia", is a ceremonial border on the India–Pakistan Border where each evening there is a retreat ceremony called 'lowering of the flags', which has been held since 1959. At that time there is an energetic parade by the Border Security Force (B.S.F) of India and the Pakistan Rangers soldiers. It may appear slightly aggressive and even hostile, but it's historic and traditional memorial best kept between the 2 nations who used to be 1.

The Entrance Gate

Crowds singing and cheering their National Anthem

Male and Female are having separated seats

Exclusively Female seats, lower seats are meant for special guest and family

Seated just at the border of 2 nations, seeing the 2 brotherhood with love and hate relationships, a reminder of Cain & Abel story from the Holy Book. Together we are reunite brother, but, I opined that there wont be any reunion between the 2 brothers, not now, not in the near future. 

In May 2005, Pakistan allowed the import of five specified food items, free of tax via Wagah border to tide over shortages in the domestic market; eventually, in an unprecedented move, on 1 October 2006, trucks carrying goods crossed the Wagah border for the first time since the independence of Pakistan and India over 60 years ago. On the other side of the wall is the seat for the India side, waving a flag and shouting "Hindustan hamare".

The trumpet being blown to begin with the ceremony, followed by a Pakistani Rangers ready to take over the stage from the patriotic singers.

With over 8000 people visiting the border on an average day just on the Indian side, governments have started developing Wagah as a tourist destination, improving tourist and custom facilities. The Indian government plans to develop a global tourist complex at the Wagah-Attari border, which lies 30 km away from Amritsar. It's so emotional view to witness a strong shout of "Pakistan zindabad", patriotism!

The gate is being open on both sides at the same sequel and perfect timing.

The marching and a parade for goose stepping ceremony

As the relations between the two nations improved, the joint talks to tone down the sunset ceremony were held between BSF and Pakistan rangers, and the two later started "reorienting" their personnel involved in the ceremony, effects of which were seen by November 2006, when the evening ceremony at the border was considerably less aggressive than in previous decades on both sides.

In July 2010, as part of a move initiated by India, both countries agreed to tone down the aggressiveness exhibited by soldiers during the gate closing ceremony because the soldiers hurt their feet and knees performing the goose-stepping every day. The ceremony is closed by bringing down the flag, folded it and handed over to the flag keeper and the gate is closed. The whole event finished right at sunset time. 

Food street: a visit to Lahore will not be complete without enjoying wide selections of Pakistani food at their famous street. I remembered my "chotta bhai" recommendation that it a must to be at the food street to savour chicken tikka. Times always a huge boundary in my case! Always a trouble to finish the visit list. As for my visit to Lahore, I must say that it is full of satisfaction as I manage to complete a must visit list within a productive day.