Shatrughan, more Indians arrive

Published March 23, 2004

LAHORE, March 22: More and more Indians are pouring in the city for the last one-day match between Pakistan and India.

Prominent among those who arrived on Monday were filmstar Shatrughan Sinha, his wife and artistes from street theatres, TV and Radio. They were in addition to a contingent of over three dozen journalists who came to cover the fifth and the last One-day international.

"I always received a warm welcome in Pakistan. Cricket is playing a very vital role in the peace process," Mr Sinha told reporters at Lahore airport after his arrival. He said: "We are here to replace bitterness with sweetness." He said more Indian filmstars would be arriving.

A source said Indian film legend Amitab Bachan might be included in guests due to arrive on Tuesday (today). At least, four Indian ministers will come to watch the match on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, many of the Indians, including filmstar Sunil Sethy and bollywood actress-turned journalist Pooja Bedi, left for India on Monday. A special train carrying around 2,000 Indians is scheduled for Tuesday (today), a Pakistan Railways spokesman said.

Lahore's hotels and resorts were packed with the Indians who were having a fun in the city. Meanwhile, Indian artistes Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, Mehak Chahel and others are scheduled to perform in Lahore on March 25.

Akshay and Shilpa will perform at a musical programme and will not watch the fifth one-day match between Pakistan and India to be played at the Qadhafi Stadium on March 24.

Mehak will arrive on March 24 to watch the match besides music director Jatil Lalit and singer Babul Supriyo. Singers Shaan, Sunidhi and compere Sajjid Khan are also due.

They all had been invited by the Palm and Royal Golf Club. Coordinator Manun Thakur said that he had been facing problems because of the non-availability of quality material for the preparation of the stage.

He said that some Pakistani singers would also perform at the show. He said that the guests were to arrive here last month but the interior ministry withdrew the permission at the eleventh hour.

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