India on Saturday launched a Wagah-Attari-style BSF's “retreat ceremony” at the Octerio Border Out Post near Suchetgarh village on the International Border on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The ceremony, comprising a structured parade by BSF men, was launched with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha terming the event as a “history in making” and the locals fervently hoping that the usual rattling of guns and booming of shells across the IB, prevalent till recently, will be a thing of past.
They also hoped this event would bring much-needed peace to the Suchetgarh sector in Jammu and Kashmir, helping it become a tourist spot round the year like the Attari border and heralding peace and prosperity for the border residents through tourism activities.
The chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and ‘Vande Matram' by people rent the air as BSF men carried out their parade in crisp uniforms.
“Today it is a history in making. Suchetgarh will now be known not only on the tourism map of J&K but in entire India,” Sinha said.
He also complimented the efforts of the BSF and other agencies in launching the step.
“This is a historical step showing the return of much-needed peace along the IB, which used to be rocked by the rattling of guns and booming of shells across the border,” said Shamsher Singh of Suchetgarh village.
“It will also promote tourism in the area. It is a great day for us,” he added.
Like Singh, an elderly woman Kanta Devi was so excited that she danced to…
