Pilgrimage Train Flagged Off from Berhampur; 775 Senior Citizens Leave for Ayodhya and Varanasi
Desk,Odishabarta
Berhampur, September 11:As many as 775 senior citizen pilgrims from five districts of Odisha, accompanied by 25 escorts, embarked on a pilgrimage to Ayodhya and Varanasi under the Odisha Government’s Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme.
The special pilgrimage train was flagged off from Berhampur Railway Station on Thursday.
Minister for Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Gokulananda Mallik attended the programme and formally flagged off the pilgrimage train after extending his best wishes to the pilgrims.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Mallik said that the government has always accorded priority to the welfare of people at the bottom of the social and economic ladder. He said many senior citizens had long been unable to visit major pilgrimage centres due to financial constraints, and the government’s assistance was now helping them fulfil their long-cherished spiritual aspirations.
He described the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme as a shining example of the government’s commitment to the welfare of senior citizens.
During the pilgrimage, the devotees will visit the holy Ganga ghats, various Shaivite shrines, attend the Ganga Aarti and have darshan of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. They will also visit Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram.
The Minister advised the escort officials to ensure that all necessary facilities, care and security arrangements are provided to the pilgrims throughout the journey.
Of the 775 pilgrims, 72 are from Gajapati district, 119 from Nayagarh, 91 from Kandhamal, 55 from Boudh and 438 from Ganjam district.
Berhampur MLA K. Anil Kumar, Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak and Chikiti MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara attended the programme as distinguished guests.
They wished the pilgrims a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling five-night, six-day pilgrimage, praying to Lord Jagannath for the success of their journey.
The MLAs said the government’s initiative has helped fulfil the long-standing aspirations of senior citizens who had been unable to undertake pilgrimages due to financial difficulties.
Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan delivered the welcome address and advised the pilgrims to enjoy their pilgrimage while maintaining their physical and mental well-being.
Berhampur Municipal Corporation Commissioner A. Sasya Reddy, Berhampur Sub-Collector Avinash Kumar, IRCTC Regional Manager Anuj Dutta, Additional Secretary of the Tourism Department Dr. Rudra Narayan Das, District Tourism Officer Janak Kumar Tarai and other officials were present at the programme. Additional District Magistrate Sachidananda Nayak proposed the vote of thanks.
The pilgrims expressed happiness over the government’s initiative and arrangements and showed great enthusiasm about the journey. Traditional dance and music performances were organised at the railway station to welcome and entertain the pilgrims.
On Thursday night, the pilgrims were welcomed at Gurukul School near Berhampur Railway Station, where the district administration had made arrangements for their accommodation, health check-ups, food, drinking water and other essential facilities before their departure.
