Ambassador Richard Verma Visits Amritsar

Richard R. Verma, the United States Ambassador to India, was honored to pay a return visit to Amritsar, Punjab on November 23.  The Ambassador paid his respects at Sri Harmandir Sahib, commonly known as the Golden Temple, the spiritual center of the Sikh faith.  He took part in a traditional langar, serving food to worshipers in the Temple’s community kitchen.  Reflecting on his visit to Jallianwala Bagh, the site of the infamous massacre in 1919, the Ambassador noted the memorial “is a vivid reminder to all people that the price freedom is often high.”  The Ambassador then toured the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, a tribute to the great 19th century ruler who was known as the Lion of the Punjab.  Ambassador Verma ended the day with a visit to the Wagah-Attari border.  Reflecting on the visit, the Ambassador stated, “Amritsar is a vibrant and exciting city.  My father and mother came from Punjab and it gives me great pride to see and experience with my family these important parts of our shared heritage.”