Amritsar, Oct. 20: While Hindus around the world celebrate their biggest festival of lights Diwali with full enthusiasm, Sikhs celebrate the day as `Bandi Chor Diwas'' or, the day of release of detainees.

Sikh history traces these celebrations way back to the 17th century. It was during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir when they got into conflict with Sikhs.

The Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind secured the release of not only himself but also 56 other kings who had been imprisoned at the Gwalior Fort. And, on this day the Guru and the Kings returned to Amritsar to a glorious welcome.

Since then Diwali festival means the marking of the historical event for the Sikhs.

Amritsar, Oct. 13 : For the last few days, the media in India and Pakistan have been reporting various statements issued by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Zardari which emphasise confidence building steps.

But the Punjabi Durbar programme of Pakistan Radio has been busy broadcasting that India is not interested in building

cordial relations and has stopped the Samjhauta Express train service that operates between the two countries.

Attari-Wagah Road, (Amritsar), Oct. 7 : Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni inaugurated a tourist resort – the Aman Umeed Bhawan – here on Tuesday.

It was earlier known as Neem Chameli.

The new tourist resort has been set with the expectation that it will draw more tourists through the Wagah – Attari land route in the future.

Spread over 1.75 acres of land, the Aman Umeed Bhawan has a built up area of about 10,000 square feet. It has facilities like restaurants, a bar, shops and resting rooms for domestic and foreign tourists, particularly those from Pakistan.

(Attari-Wagah Road) (Amritsar), Oct. 7 : Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni inaugurated a tourist resort – the Aman Umeed Bhawan – here on Tuesday.

It was earlier known as Neem Chameli.

The new tourist resort has been set with the expectation that it will draw more tourists through the Wagah – Attari land route in the future.

Amritsar, Oct 7 : Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni has inaugurated a tourist resort, Aman Umeed Bhawan, earlier popularly known as Neem Chameli at Attari-Wagha international border in Amritsar.

Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal was also present on the occasion.

After inaugurating the complex, Soni said the flow of tourists from across the border will help in further promoting peace between the two countries.

"Tourism has vast potential for employment generation and Institute of Hotel Management set up in the area will provide opportunities for youth to work in the sector," she added.

Amritsar, October 6 : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the premiere governing body of Sikhs, has today sent a delegation of nearly 100 Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan to attend the 474th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ram Das, the 4th great Guru of Sikhs.

This is for the first time since partition of India that a delegation of Sikhs is visiting Pakistan especially for birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ram Das. The devotees will mark the occasion at Gurdwara Chuna Mandi, the birthplace of Guru Ram Dass, situated in Lahore on October 9.