Amritsar, October 29
It was a delightful
moment for Tahira who was greeted in the traditional Indian way. “It is a pleasant surprise for me”, said Tahira Hazur when Hindu and Sikh women performed an ‘aarti’ when she entered the house of Sanjeev Tangri here today.
It was a unique experience for Tahira who was not familiar with the Hindu way of welcoming the guests as she was born and brought up in Pakistan. Tahira would tie the knot with Maqbool on November 7.
As soon as Tahira alighted from Shan-e-Punjab train which arrived here from New Delhi today afternoon, she was invited to visit the ‘Tangri family’ by Mr Karamjit Singh Rintu, Mr Maqbool Ahmed, the
fiancé of Tahira readily accepted the invitation. She was asked to wait for a moment outside the house as the ladies brought mustard oil to pour on both sides of the entry gate as a sign of ‘shagun’. Lighted lamps were placed in a plate for performing the ‘aarti’. She was also presented lots of gifts by Ms Onkar Kaur, a councillor of ward 47, Ms Neetu Tangri, Ms Sonia Gill and Ms Saroj Sareen.
Later at Qadian, Ms Khurshida, the would be mother-in-law, performed ‘prayer’ at her home on the arrival of her daughter-in-law. Since Tahira had come all alone from Pakistan, many residents of Qadian offered to act as her guardian till their ‘nikah’.
Though Tahira had arrived at the Wagah joint checkpost in ‘Sada-e-Sarhad’ yesterday she had to go to Delhi as passengers are not allowed to alight midway.
Tahira said that like India, the Pakistani media too had highlighted her send off from her country yesterday.
Talking to TNS, Tahira said that whosoever is married in Qadian, he/she is considered blessed. The Qadian is the most sacred place for members of Ahmadiya community and only the lucky ones get the opportunity to settle here, she said.
Ms Amatul Shakoor, a resident of Rabwa (Pakistan) who was married in Quadian some 12 years ago had come with Tahira from Pakistan in the Delhi-Lahore bus. Ms Shakoor said many girls from Pakistan wanted to get married in India but they were being denied visas on one or the other pretext.
