Our Bureau
Amritsar
The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, along with his wife Amy Wakeland, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. During Ambassador’s visit, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami discussed various matters with him. Dhami requested him to start direct flights from the USA to Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. Dhami said the Ambassador gave a positive response in this regard.
Dhami felicitated Garcetti and his family members with a model of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), books and shawls at the Information Centre.
Accompanied by his family members, the US Ambassador visited Sri Guru Ram Dass Langar hall, performed parkarma (circumambulation) and sewa (voluntary service). He also went to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib to pay obeisance, where he was given a garland of flowers and patasha prasad by the Hazuri Singhs.
About his visit, Garcetti wrote in the visitor book, “There are a few places in the world that are truly sacred. The Golden Temple is right there at the top of that list. You feel not only the holiness of this place, but how generous service of the people define not only the world as it is, but as it can be. May the deep friendship between the United States and Sikhs always bring peace to our world. With deep respect and friendship.”
Ambassador Garcetti further mentioned, “What a spectacle to see the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah Attari border. The cheers created such a vibrant atmosphere and I was honored to meet the border forces there. He also met the just retired Indian Ambassador to the US, Mr Taranjit Sandhu, in Amritsar.
