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LET PEACE PREVAIL ON OUR BORDERS

By P.T. Bopanna

Amid all the war-mongering, I am happy the Indian government has resumed the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony at the Attari-Wagha border post on India-Pakistan border in Punjab.

I had the opportunity of witnessing the ceremony (in picture) several years ago which involved daily display of coordinated military drill between India’s BSF and Pakistan Rangers.

However, there is an altered protocol this time. The border gates will remain closed and there will be no handshake between the two sides. People can watch the ceremony now from the Indian side.

I feel the priority on both India and Pakistan should be to concentrate on development of their respective countries, instead of talking of wars. Both India and Pakistan are poor countries.

According to a World Bank report, an estimated120 million Indians live in extreme poverty. The poverty levels must be worse on the other side.

Photo: Writers P.T. Bopanna and Devaiah Bopanna (in blue sweater)