Indian social activists and their Pakistani counterparts have had a noble idea of celebrating the 105th Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the legendary revolutionary in Lahore tomorrow, September 28. However, it has been feared that the Pak government may play the spoilsport for the well chalked out event. Visa to the 32 member delegation from India has not been confirmed yet but the home team has been positively anticipating to receive the permit on September 27, which also happens to be the World Tourism Day co-incidentally.

The Indian activists have also plans for visiting the village of historical importance where Shahid e Azam, Bhagat Singh was born, Bangha in Jaranwala tehsil of Lyallpur district.

A spokesperson for the National Forum for Forest People and Forest Workers, NFFPFW, said, "The Pakistanti authorities have not given us clearance so far apparently because of internal violent disturbance in the country but we are hopeful to get visa on Thursday”. She said that their willful counterparts in Pakistan were the Bhagat Singh Memorial Committee who planned out the event at the Shadman Chowk in Lahore where the revolutionary was hanged to death by the British colonial rulers. Labour Party of Pakistan has also demanded the government to rename this historical place in Bhagat Singh's name as a tribute. Apart from the Labour Party of Pakistan, more than 40 civil society organisations and workers/labour unions will participate in the celebrations.

The idea of a joint birthday anniversary had sprung out when a 10 member team from Pakistan had visited India in may where they met the members of the NFFPFW at a conference in Dehradun.  During conversation, activists of both the nations came to the conclusion that colonialism has been replaced by economic imperialism which can be counter only by reclaiming the revolutionary socialist legacy of Bhagat Singh and his brothers in arms, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Sohan Singh Josh, Chandarshekar Azad, Ajay Kumar Gosh, Yashpal and others.

It was then that the groups has decided to celebrate all the events associated to these great men to motivate the youth to fight against the Imperialism which is now a problem in both the countries.

(AW- Anil)