Life
Silken Again
By
 The historical Silk Route connecting India and China – closed for 44 years, since the Indo-China War in 1962 – is reopening on July 6. The opening of the Nathu La Pass, located 4,500 meters above sea level is expected to multiply trade between the two countries, already expected to hit $20 billion this year even before the reopening of the Silk Route. The Silk Route has immense historical significance and at one time almost 80 percent of the trade between the two countries passed through the road. The 5,000 mile long Silk Road, which dates back to the 1st century, connected India and China to Europe on the northern route and to Egypt and Africa on the Southern route. It is credited by historians as laying the foundations of the modern world and the evolution of civilizations in India, China, Rome, Mesopotomia, etc. The reopening will also reduce the length of the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, revered by Hindus as home of Shiva, from 15 days to two days. |