Raja Mohammad Ali, a childhood friend of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], crossed the Attari border from Pakistan on Friday, hoping to meet him after a gap of nearly six decades.

Ali, in his late 70s, is carrying village soil and Punjabi jutis (footwear) for Singh. "I am sure he will spare some of his precious time for me," said Ali.

Both had studied and played together in Gah village of Chakwal district in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Ali says he was granted visa by Indian authorities after many hassles. "The visit to India is due to the grace of Allah," he said.

Fondly recalling the days when Singh was his classmate, Ali said: "He was fondly called Mohna by most students. And he was a brilliant student. He used to come with pockets full of dry fruits and distribute among friends. Now I've come to India with village soil and Punjabi jutis (footwear) for him"

Ali said Singh had written back to him when he was informed about the demise of Baqt Bano, their only girl schoolmate Baqt Bano.

The Pakistani friend of the Indian prime minister could not pursue studies beyond primary level due to family circumstances.

"But our village is proud that Mohna has done well in his career," he said.

Ali says there were celebrations in his village when Singh became the Indian prime minister. The school in which both studied has been renamed as Manmohan Singh High School.

Ali now plans to visit the historic Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple. He will take a train to New Delhi on Saturday and try to get an appointment with his old friend.