Even though the cricket fans from Pakistan are yet to arrive for the big semifinal clash between India and Pakistan via the Attari border, but to accord fans from across the border a warm welcome, the NGO's are already geared up and approached the administration. There is expected to be a lot of tem per and high voltage emotions on the ground when the two teams clash in Mohali on March 30, but before that if the administration is to be believed, bonhomie has already started to show off the field.
NGO’s have started to approach the administration as they want to go all out and welcome the cricket buffs from across the border. They want to arrange for food (community kitchen), water and every help, in all a warm reception for the expected Pakistani cricket fans.
The NGO's Folklore Research Academy and the Hind Pak Dosti Manch, which have been stressing for people to people contact, have approached the administration.
Talking to HT, Ramesh Yadav, president of the Folklore Research Academy, said, "This cricket match is a great opportunity of the people to people contact between the two nations. We are hoping that many fans from across the border will be coming and we are very keen to welcome them. We have requested the administration to allow us so that we can put up our stalls at the border in the coming days."
Gurdev Singh Mehlanwala, senior vice president of the academy said, "We believe that the people of both the nations want peace and more and more people must come to India watch this game. We are geared up to look after them well at the border."
Satnam Manak, general secretary of the Hind Pak Dosti Manch, said, "We have done it in the past also and now again we are keen to welcome the cricket fans from across the border. We appreciate the way Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has invited the Pakistani Prime Minister and President."
If the administration allows us, we will make best of arrangements to welcome the fans from across the border, he added.
Talking to HT, Amritsar deputy commissioner, Kahan Singh Pannu said, "We will certainly allow the NGO's. This is a positive thing and this will certainly give a fillip to the bonhomie. The NGO's have approached and plan the community kitchen for the fans."
On the administration’s preparations, the DC said, "Although we are yet to receive and communication from State Government about the number of people coming, but we are geared up to welcome the cricket fans from across the border."
Sources claimed that people from Pakistan may start coming in from Monday.
