Indian Sikh returning to birthplace receives hearty welcome in Okara

To restore the reminiscences of his childhood, Sardar Harbhajan Singh Bhatia from India, crossed the border and paid a visit to his birthplace, Okara after an extensive gap of 71 years.

84 year old Bhatia accompanied by his nephew and wife arrived in Okara and received a warm welcome from the locals who showered him with rose petals as he paved way into what used to be his hometown before the turmoil following the India-Pakistan partition drove Sikhs and Hindus out of their abodes.

As per local media reports, Singh was also invited to attend a reception that was arranged to commemorate his visit to Pakistan.

Singh had migrated to India in the September of 1947 at the age of 14, from his home in Okara, located in the Block B.

His arrival was announced on Twitter by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, a retired Indian army officer and son of Sardar Harbhajan Singh, who esteemed the zest with which his father was greeted by the natives of his place of origin.

Amardeep’s tweet had also subsequently sent immense backlash his way from various social media users for "praising Pakistan", along with numerous warm messages as well from either sides of the border.

As a retort to the negative comments, Amardeep tweeted: “I would just like to put end to unnecessary controversy. Neither I was praising Pak nor demeaning anyone. I was praising the humanity and people who love each other. Self proclaimed politicians with their vested interests divide the humanity so that they can rule.”