The Hindu Business Line : Event marked by euphoria, nostalgia

HISTORIC MOMENT: Chinese traders entering through the newly-opened Nathula Pass border on Thursday in a jubilant mood. Chinese and Indian traders crossed the border to mark a new beginning between the two countries. — A Roy Chowdhury

Nathula , July 6

They waited for 44 years before they could walk through Nathula into Indian territory. It appeared that nothing could stop them.

Not even the sub-zero temperatures — it was anywhere around minus 3-5 degrees Celsius — or the lashing rains that accompanied it. A little after 9 a.m., 90 Chinese traders, led by the Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China, Mr Champa Phunstok, alighted from five buses to a rousing reception that was led by Dr Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim.

The occasion was as historic as was the euphoria that accompanied it. Folk dancers from China added colour to the occasion.

Traders Greet

After the formal speeches, it was time for nostalgia and bonhomie. Traders from either side of the border rushed to greet and shake hands with each other.

The Indian trader-contingent numbered about 100, including a few who were regular traders through the Nathula Pass till 1961-62. Later, some Indian traders crossed the border — with trade pass in tow — along with a few samples of rice and edible oils.

Indian and Chinese army personnel greeted each other, shook hands and even took photographs together. Not to be left behind, two young lady officers of the Sikkim Police ensured that they went back home with something to cherish.

They got their photographs taken, flanked by two uniformed Chinese soldiers.

In the prevalent carnival atmosphere, there were two groups of people who had more on their hands than they could handle.

The first group comprised officials of the Sikkim Government's Department of Information & Public Relations, who had burnt the midnight oil for the last 7-10 days accommodating requests from the print and electronic media — both from India and abroad — for inclusion of their names in the list of journalists who would cover the historical event.

"Maha Khumbh of Journalists" was the headline of a story in a local daily that sought to highlight the issue.

Sub-zero temperatures

The other group, which was running against time comprised journalists themselves.

Many of them started their day in the wee hours of the morning to touch base at 14,400 ft above sea level at Nathula before 6 a.m. The wait till 9 p.m. seemed eternal. Gel-pens refused to work as the ink dried at the sub-zero temperatures.

The mobil oil of an OB van of one television channel froze in the cold. On Wednesday, the OB van of another television channel had to be lifted to Nathula with the help of a crane belonging to the Indian Army.

New Delhi was represented at the event by an Additional Secretary and a Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Commerce.

Significantly, there was no official representation from West Bengal, which till the other day, was keen on playing a major role in the Nathula initiative.