Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: The Indo-Pak ministerial level talks may not have succeeded in bridging differences but an agreement between the border guards of the two nations surely aims at lowering of tension although in a symbolic manner.
According to a report published in a leading daily, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers have reached an agreement to desist from the open show of hostility and aggression during the 'Change of Guard drill' – the ceremonial flag lowering ceremony held every evening at the Wagah-Attari International border near Amritsar.
The decision was taken to bring relief to the border guards of both nations, who continue to suffer from several joint and orthopedic ailments arising out of years of heavy stomping of boots while performing the drill.
It was reported that the men who carried regular evening drills suffered mild-to-severe damage to joints in the lower half of their bodies.
"We had proposed a lowering of the aggression in the gestures during the daily parade, and subsequently took unilateral decision to implement that," IG with the Punjab Frontier Headquarters of the BSF Himmat Singh was quoted as saying.
“Now, the Pakistan Rangers have also agreed to the proposal, and toned down their drill," he added.
With regards to the thrill that hundreds of visitors from both countries get while witnessing the drill – who often break into spontaneous slogans of “Jai Hind” and “Pakistan Zindabad” - Singh feels that the decision to tame down the aggression will not disappoint the visitors.
First Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 13:48