The Tribune
CHANDIGARH, April 3 — An emotional and tearful farewell was given to 1000-odd Pakistani cricket fans at Chandigarh railway station here this morning. ...
... The visitors had come here to watch the one-day international match between traditional rivals India and Pakistan at the PCA Stadium at SAS Nagar on April 1. A large number of city residents had also gathered at the station to personally see off "the new friends they had made from across the border during the past few days." ...
... Also present at the railway station were the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain; the Deputy Commissioner, Mr M. Ramsekhar, besides others. Both the visitors and their hosts raised slogans in favour of Indo-Pak friendship and the Prime Ministers of the two countries.
In a statement issued here this afternoon, Mr Satya Pal Jain said that the visit of Pakistani cricket fans had clearly indicated that the attempts made by the Prime Ministers of the two countries to improve bilateral relations by the Lahore bus yatra had yielded positive results.
"Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee is now a popular leader not only in India but in Pakistan also," Mr Jain said.
Mr Jain, who spent about two hours at the station with the visitors, said that almost all the visitors were appreciative of the efforts made by the Indian Prime Minister for improving relations between the two neighbours.
"They were looking forward for cordial relations. Their interest in shopping clearly indicates that Indian goods are quite popular across the border. They were also praising the Indian crowds at the PCA stadium. They were also impressed by the sportsman spirit displayed by the crowd in spite of the fact that India lost the game. The people of Chandigarh, SAS Nagar, Panchkula and surrounding areas deserve all credit for showing respect and regards to their Pakistani counterparts.
"Chandigarh has also played its role in normalising relations between the two countries," Mr Jain said. He also appreciated the efforts made by the Administration in looking after the guests from Pakistan well during their stay here.
CHANDIGARH, April 3 — An emotional and tearful farewell was given to 1000-odd Pakistani cricket fans at Chandigarh railway station here this morning. ...
... The visitors had come here to watch the one-day international match between traditional rivals India and Pakistan at the PCA Stadium at SAS Nagar on April 1. A large number of city residents had also gathered at the station to personally see off "the new friends they had made from across the border during the past few days." ...
... Also present at the railway station were the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain; the Deputy Commissioner, Mr M. Ramsekhar, besides others. Both the visitors and their hosts raised slogans in favour of Indo-Pak friendship and the Prime Ministers of the two countries.
In a statement issued here this afternoon, Mr Satya Pal Jain said that the visit of Pakistani cricket fans had clearly indicated that the attempts made by the Prime Ministers of the two countries to improve bilateral relations by the Lahore bus yatra had yielded positive results.
"Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee is now a popular leader not only in India but in Pakistan also," Mr Jain said.
Mr Jain, who spent about two hours at the station with the visitors, said that almost all the visitors were appreciative of the efforts made by the Indian Prime Minister for improving relations between the two neighbours.
"They were looking forward for cordial relations. Their interest in shopping clearly indicates that Indian goods are quite popular across the border. They were also praising the Indian crowds at the PCA stadium. They were also impressed by the sportsman spirit displayed by the crowd in spite of the fact that India lost the game. The people of Chandigarh, SAS Nagar, Panchkula and surrounding areas deserve all credit for showing respect and regards to their Pakistani counterparts.
"Chandigarh has also played its role in normalising relations between the two countries," Mr Jain said. He also appreciated the efforts made by the Administration in looking after the guests from Pakistan well during their stay here.
