Thar Express ends sisters' wait to tie thread of love

Barmer, Aug 8 (UNI) For 50-year-old Teeja of Gujarat, the four decade-long wait to meet her brother and tie that thread of love around his wrist, will finally end tomorrow.

Married at the age of eight, Teeja started living in Gujarat border area and has been unable to go back home since then.

But tomorrow on Raksha Bandhan day, Teeja will be with her brother and family in Pakistan, celebrating the joyous moments, thanks to the Thar Express.

The Thar Express, started in February this year, has been bringing together families from both sides of the border--separated by the Partition and two wars.

This year after about four decades, thousands of sisters from both sides of the border will travel to meet their bothers and tie rakhee on their wrist.

For many Hindu families residing in the Sindh province of Pakistan, this occasion has brought back joys after 40 long years.

The Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated in Pakistan too.

Thousands of Hindu families residing in Amarkot, Gadra City, Mirpur Khas and Sangar distribute sweets and exchange pleasantries.

The rituals, traditions, language and culture have striking similarities on both sides of the border. But most of the families have been unable to meet their relatives on the other side due to diplomatic restrictions and have found travelling to each other's country quite a tedious process.

The Thar Express, started between Munabao in India and Khokrapar in Pakistan, have brought together approximately 80,000 families nearer. Sources said around 40,000 passengers have travelled to Pakistan via the Thar Express.

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