AMRITSAR, Aug 24: Notwithstanding the controversy over the tendering of an apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 here, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is looking forward enthusiastically to the proposed visit of Queen Elizabeth to the Golden Temple on October 14.

The SGPC authorities have already started preparations for the great event and the work to give a face-lift to the temple and its surroundings are on.

Though the programme of the Queen's itinerary is yet to be officially announced, SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra appears to have some confirmation about the visit through unofficial channels.

The British High Commission in India has been in touch with the SGPC authorities since January 1996 and Jane Wildash, Deputy Director of State Visits in the British government has already visited Amritsar at least for six times.

She is wife of Richard Wildash, Political Secretary to the Queen.The SGPC is attaching great significance to the visit of the Queen keeping in view the comments on the Temple of other dignitaries who visited it in the past.

Prince Charles, who visited the Temple in 1978, had noted in the visitors' book, ``I have seen Taj Mehal, I have seen the Golden Temple. While the Taj is a dead place, the Golden Temple is a living place.''

David Gore Booch, British High Commissioner in India, who visited the Temple on July 21, 1997 in connection with the preparations for the Queen's visit has commented, ``I have not really seen such a consideration of devotion and beauty.''

David Carter, acting high commissioner of England, who came here on June 21 writes: ``I greatly respect and admire the universality of Sikh faith so clearly reflected at the Temple. Now so beautifully restored. It is a living monument.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.