Thursday, April 14 2005 08:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Wagah (Amritsar): Many Sikh families living in Pakistan are finding it difficult to find suitable match for their children for wedlock and are keen to settle them in India.

"We are in a minority in Pakistan and want to settle our sons and daughters in India, especially in Punjab, for enhancing their marriage prospects," Karan Singh, a Pakistani Sikh hailing from Karachi, said in Wagah.

Karan along with 26 other Pakistani Sikhs, including some children, crossed over to India yesterday (Apr 13, 2005) through land route Wagah to pay obeisance at different Sikh shrines, including the Golden Temple.

Kamal Kaur, also an inhabitant of Karachi, said, "There are few families of Sikhs and Hindus in Pakistan. We never marry our children in Muslim families. Therefore, we are finding it difficult to find suitable partners for our children."

Karan Singh said, "We request both the Governments to relax visa norms so that we can settle our daughters in India as getting Sikh boys in Pakistan has become a distant dream."

Leader of the delegation Bhola Singh, attired in white Salwar Kammez, kissed the Indian soil and rubbed it on his forehead on his arrival in Wagah.

"I have come with my wife and children who are longing to see the Golden Temple known as Mecca of Sikhism," he said.

Dalip Kumar, a Hindu who embraced Sikhism, said in Pakistan, "Sikhs command great respect. Even Muslim officers and politicians address them respectfully."

Amar Singh said, "We always wanted to come to the Golden temple but visa problems often put paid to our hopes. Finally, we are here."