Punjab might have missed its date with US President George W. Bush but the state is not giving up its efforts to host a celebrity. The prosperous northern state is already looking to host another important international figure - Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne.
The future king of Britain has on his agenda a visit to Sri Keshgarh Sahib - popularly known as Gurdwara Anandpur Sahib - 80 km from here. According to senior Punjab police officials, a team of British officials and security personnel was in Punjab recently to work out plans for Charles' visit. The details are likely to be finalised over the next week.
Anandpur Sahib is the second most important Sikh religious place after the Golden Temple in Amritsar as it was here that the 'Khalsa' or the Sikh faith was founded on April 13, 1699, when the tenth Sikh guru - Gobind Singh - baptized the first five Sikhs.
Charles, who has been involved in activities of Sikhs and Punjabis living in Britain, has indicated that he wanted to visit the shrine. Charles may also stopover at the erstwhile princely city of Patiala. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who hails from the erstwhile princely family of Patiala, may host Charles for dinner and an overnight stay at his new Moti Bagh palace.
