R S Pura, Jammu:
It's a festival that is celebrated on both sides of the Indo-Pak border. This year, create a sense of normalcy for the battle-fatigued residents of the region, Baisakhi is being celebrated with much fanfare on our side.
To promote border tourism, music and dance have replaced the sound of guns, as the Border Security Force organises grand celebrations right on the Zero Line.
"This border is just a barrier. If we shut our eyes for a while, people from both countries can cross over," says Manpreet Bali, a local teacher. "We are very happy this fair is being organised here. Work has picked up as so many tourists are coming in," adds Raj Kumar, another local.
Jammu & Kashmir shares an International Border of 200 kilometres with Pakistan. Another 700 kilometres, is the Line of Control that divides Kashmir. Though the situation is far better than it was 10 years ago, the skirmishes continue. Naturally, tension and turmoil has become part of the psyche, which the state and security forces are trying to soothe with moves like this:
"For 10 years, the border situation was tense. The last four have been somewhat peaceful. We pray to God that India and Pakistan have the wisdom to coexist peacefully hereafter," says Madan Lal, Member of Parliament from Jammu.