Wagah – A Border Town at Pakistan/India Border

We were at Wagah to witness the border closing (flag lowering) ceremony. This ceremony takes place every evening and it has been taking place since the countries’ Independence. This is the place and time where people from both countries really demonstrate their patriotism to their respective countries. The crowd (both sides), the cheers and the shouting were just incredible.

The objective of each side’s soldiers is to out-march, out-salute and out-shout each other.

Before the gate is closed for the day, both sides lower the flags, the one which lowers the flag at the slower rate is, supposedly, the ‘winner’ of the day.

A year later (in 2007), I was sitting on the other side of the gate. What a stark contrast between the two countries! Men and women were ‘segregated’ in the Muslim-dominated Pakistan while, not only there was no segregation, women were seen dancing, singing and chanting happily in the middle of the road on the India side!

Patriotism?

‘Men only’ gallery