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Begum will have a busy day : The Pioneer
While Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf and his host, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, discuss the finer points of the Kashmir dispute at the peace summit, Begum Sehba Musharraf could well be busy praying for its success.
While Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf and his host, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, discuss the finer points of the Kashmir dispute at the peace summit, Begum Sehba Musharraf could well be busy praying for its success.
For the Musharrafs, the visit to India next week may also be one of the most spiritually satisfying. After Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's Dargah in Delhi, the first couple of Pakistan is slated to visit the renowned Sufi mausoleum of Hazarat Sheikh Salim Chisti. Senior police officials said while the Begum's visit has been confirmed, the General will accompany her only if he can cull out some time from his busy schedule. The pristine marble Dargah is always buzzing with activity - thousands of faithfuls tie threads to the intricately carved screens seeking blessings from the Sufi Saint. However, the past two weeks have seen some official visitors as well. Policemen and government officials are scanning every nook and cranny of the shrine prior to Begum Musharraf's visit.
Roads leading to the ruins of the Fatehpur Sikri are getting a mandatory makeover. There is a fresh coat of paint wherever necessary and the mammoth potholes are being filled up on a war-footing.
The khidmatgaar (attendants) at the shrine have been told that only a handful of them will be issued special passes. A high-level police team travelled the 36-km stretch from Agra city to Fatehpur Sikri on Thursday. The team comprised Joint Director of UP Tourism D K Burman, IG (Security) Rajiv Vikram Singh, SSP A K D Dwivedi, senior archeologist K K Mohhamed and officials from different security agencies of the Government.
The shrine and its adjoining areas will be fully santised for security purposes on July 15 morning. Begum Musharraf is due to pay a visit at forenoon, well before the 1 pm Namaaz. "We will not disrupt the Namaaz at any cost," senior police officials told The Pioneer.
For the khidmatagaars, however, the begum is like any other pilgrim and her prayers will be granted "so long as she has faith in Hazrat Saleem Chisti." The only VIP treatment given to the dignitary will be in the form of a gift of a special chaddar - a symbol of the Sufi saint's blessing. "The rich and poor are all equal in the eyes of God. It will be nice if the general also come along with her. Lets see if the Baba will draw him here," a khidmatagaar said.
Visitors to the shrine as well as the attendants univocally said, "We will offer special prayers for the success of the peace talks."
For the Musharrafs, the visit to India next week may also be one of the most spiritually satisfying. After Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's Dargah in Delhi, the first couple of Pakistan is slated to visit the renowned Sufi mausoleum of Hazarat Sheikh Salim Chisti. Senior police officials said while the Begum's visit has been confirmed, the General will accompany her only if he can cull out some time from his busy schedule. The pristine marble Dargah is always buzzing with activity - thousands of faithfuls tie threads to the intricately carved screens seeking blessings from the Sufi Saint. However, the past two weeks have seen some official visitors as well. Policemen and government officials are scanning every nook and cranny of the shrine prior to Begum Musharraf's visit.
Roads leading to the ruins of the Fatehpur Sikri are getting a mandatory makeover. There is a fresh coat of paint wherever necessary and the mammoth potholes are being filled up on a war-footing.
The khidmatgaar (attendants) at the shrine have been told that only a handful of them will be issued special passes. A high-level police team travelled the 36-km stretch from Agra city to Fatehpur Sikri on Thursday. The team comprised Joint Director of UP Tourism D K Burman, IG (Security) Rajiv Vikram Singh, SSP A K D Dwivedi, senior archeologist K K Mohhamed and officials from different security agencies of the Government.
The shrine and its adjoining areas will be fully santised for security purposes on July 15 morning. Begum Musharraf is due to pay a visit at forenoon, well before the 1 pm Namaaz. "We will not disrupt the Namaaz at any cost," senior police officials told The Pioneer.
For the khidmatagaars, however, the begum is like any other pilgrim and her prayers will be granted "so long as she has faith in Hazrat Saleem Chisti." The only VIP treatment given to the dignitary will be in the form of a gift of a special chaddar - a symbol of the Sufi saint's blessing. "The rich and poor are all equal in the eyes of God. It will be nice if the general also come along with her. Lets see if the Baba will draw him here," a khidmatagaar said.
Visitors to the shrine as well as the attendants univocally said, "We will offer special prayers for the success of the peace talks."