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    NEW DELHI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The historic bus from Amritsar in India to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan was flagged off by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Amritsar Friday, according to Indo-Asian News Service.

    The bus will connect two of the most sacred Sikh shrines -- Golden Temple in Amristsar in Indian Punjab and Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of first Sikh guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan's Punjab province -- through a weekly service.

    It was an emotional moment for the prime minister and scores of others who were present at the flagging-off ceremony. The bus rolled at around 11.50 a.m.

    It reached the Wagah joint border check post between both countries -- 30 km from Amristsar -- after nearly one hour. Its journey took a few minutes extra due to rain en route, slowing its speed.

    The bus was escorted by armed security on pilot and escort vehicles.

    It is after nearly 59 years that Sikhs and other people will be able to board a bus from Indian Punjab to Sikh shrines like Nankana Sahib and others in Pakistan.

    The golden colored Volvo bus of Punjab Roadways, named "Punj-Aab", was decorated for its maiden journey.

    Most of the passengers it carried on its maiden journey were Punjab ministers, officials and their family members with only around eight to 10 genuine passengers.

    Manmohan Singh, a Sikh himself, said the bus service to Nankana Sahib was a long pending demand of the community and of Punjabis in general. He said this bus service and the Amritsar-Lahore bus service started earlier would bring both Punjabs in India and Pakistan closer.

    The bus from Nankana Sahib to Amritsar will commence its journey Saturday. Enditem