Smiles to replace glares at Wagah border

[nForce]

They did it till it hurt, but they’ve now decided not to do it anymore. As part of a move initiated by India, Pakistan and India had agreed to tone down the aggressiveness of soldiers during the gate-closing ceremony at Wagah, possibly owing to the fact the soldiers hurt their feet and knees performing the goose-stepping every day.

Over this weekend, both countries put a formal seal on the deal. They have agreed to do away with the hostility of the beating retreat ceremony at the army outpost in Wagah border near Amritsar.

According to Pakistani media reports, the decision to tone down the aggression was taken on Saturday during a meeting of the director-general of the Pakistani Punjab Rangers, Major General Muhammad Yaqoob, and director general of the Border Security Force, Raman Shrivastav, in Lahore.

Moreover, what may inspire confidence in the ability of the two neighbours to resolve issues, the idea of toning down hostility at the flag ceremony was not even on the agenda of the talks held between the Pakistan Rangers and the Border Security Force, at least this time.

“It was not on our agenda,” the director-general of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Major General Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, told reporters after conclusion of the latest round of biannual talks between the two sides. “But we discussed it on a request from my counterpart [director general of BSF Raman Srivastav].”

According to sources, the two sides had during talks in March agreed to do away with ‘thumb showing’ and ‘staring’. Now, they’ve decided that soldiers would shake hands and smile when the gates are opened.

Earlier, the handshake was accompanied by aggressive posturing. A Pakistan Rangers spokesman had said at that time that Major General Yaqoob had refused to do away with foot-pressing and leg-stretching gestures.

Source

 

[Capt.Popeye]

They did it till it hurt, but they’ve now decided not to do it anymore. As part of a move initiated by India, Pakistan and India had agreed to tone down the aggressiveness of soldiers during the gate-closing ceremony at Wagah, possibly owing to the fact the soldiers hurt their feet and knees performing the goose-stepping every day.

Over this weekend, both countries put a formal seal on the deal. They have agreed to do away with the hostility of the beating retreat ceremony at the army outpost in Wagah border near Amritsar.

According to Pakistani media reports, the decision to tone down the aggression was taken on Saturday during a meeting of the director-general of the Pakistani Punjab Rangers, Major General Muhammad Yaqoob, and director general of the Border Security Force, Raman Shrivastav, in Lahore.

Moreover, what may inspire confidence in the ability of the two neighbours to resolve issues, the idea of toning down hostility at the flag ceremony was not even on the agenda of the talks held between the Pakistan Rangers and the Border Security Force, at least this time.

“It was not on our agenda,” the director-general of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Major General Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, told reporters after conclusion of the latest round of biannual talks between the two sides. “But we discussed it on a request from my counterpart [director general of BSF Raman Srivastav].”

According to sources, the two sides had during talks in March agreed to do away with ‘thumb showing’ and ‘staring’. Now, they’ve decided that soldiers would shake hands and smile when the gates are opened.

Earlier, the handshake was accompanied by aggressive posturing. A Pakistan Rangers spokesman had said at that time that Major General Yaqoob had refused to do away with foot-pressing and leg-stretching gestures.

Source

Well, a smile never harmed anyone.
But the real problem is the "strutting and stomping" that goes on as part of the "show". At any rate to the soldiers who have to do it, not to the spectators. That kind of physical posturing will only need more attention from Orthopaedic surgeons. Pretty sure "knee problems" must be more prevalent among that bunch of soldiers.

 

[nForce]

Well, a smile never harmed anyone.
But the real problem is the "strutting and stomping" that goes on as part of the "show". At any rate to the soldiers who have to do it, not to the spectators. That kind of physical posturing will only need more attention from Orthopaedic surgeons. Pretty sure "knee problems" must be more prevalent among that bunch of soldiers.

that ceremony at Wagah border pretty much summarizes the nature of relation between the two countries.....

 

[Capt.Popeye]

that ceremony at Wagah border pretty much summarizes the nature of relation between the two countries.....

Let the relations between the respective Govts. be whatever they want it to be.
But what beats me is: why do a bunch of Soldiers have to be faced with the prospects of visits to Orthopaedists ?

 

[nForce]

Let the relations between the respective Govts. be whatever they want it to be.
But what beats me is: why do a bunch of Soldiers have to be faced with the prospects of visits to Orthopaedists ?

my dear friend,sometimes these soldiers have to face bullets as well due to the decisions taken by these govts.Thats how it is.....

 

[StingRoy]

Any idea when are they going to start with their new "routine"... Would be interesting to see what has been toned down on both sides. Have been longing to go visit Wagah for a long time... some day for sure... some day.

 

[pmukherjee]

When you fight a war (if you fight a war), you fight a war. Then you fight the war with all the grim ferocity, ruthlessness and passion that war entails. Our soldiers are second to none in war fighting abilities. But why behave like ill mannered children when there is no war on. We are a mature nation, we do not need this sort of childish lesson in pseudo-patriotism (which the earlier procedure at Wagah demonstrated). It only preaches hate and achieves nothing.

 

[nForce]

Can someone dig some info about the history of the Wagah border ceremony???

 

[luckyyy]

why there is a show every day for comman people...

it's a international boarder not a drama theater..