Amritsar-born German politician is all out to help the visitors to India from Germany

AMRITSAR: In the wake of growing concerns among both German nationals and Indian immigrants regarding travel to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), following recent punitive actions by the Indian government, Amritsar-born German politician Parmod Kumar has taken a proactive step to support the community.
While condemning the Pahalgam incident in the strongest possible terms, he said that such acts of violence are not only deeply inhumane but also an assault on the values of peace, harmony, and coexistence.
Recognising the apprehension among prospective travellers, he said he established a dedicated help desk in Hamburg to assist people in navigating the uncertainty.
“My initiative aims to dispel fear and provide practical assistance to those reconsidering their travel plans to the region,” said Parmod, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and an Abgeordneter from Hamburg-Bergedorf.
Leveraging his strong local network, Parmod said he is helping visitors reschedule their trips or redirect their travel plans to alternative destinations such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other popular and safer tourist locations.
Parmod, who hails from Amritsar, said this move was widely appreciated by those who had detailed plans to travel to India, especially Srinagar, as he was not only offering emotional reassurance but also logistical support during a period of heightened tension.
Meanwhile, the farmers here continue to cross the Blborder fence to till their fields.
Rattan Singh Randhawa, a leader of the Border Area Sangarsh Committee, said that a delegation from the committee is touring several border villages to assess the ground situation and determine whether farmers with cultivable land beyond the border fence were facing any difficulties.
“The BSF is currently allowing paddy harvesters to cross the border gates and work in their fields,” he said.
Some farmers, who chose to remain anonymous, said that they were cautioned by the BSF to remain vigilant. “We understand—after all, it’s for our own safety,” one farmer remarked.
Makhan Singh, an elderly farmer, emphasised that they do not want the BSF to restrict their access to fields located across the fence. “If farmers are stopped from going to their fields across the border fence, it sends a message that we are afraid of Pakistan,” he opined.