On the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Punjab government launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojna.' Under this initiative, elderly people from the state will be sent on pilgrimages free of charge via trains and buses.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, attending the launch event alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, announced that the state government would cover all expenses for the pilgrimage. Kejriwal expressed his joy on the auspicious occasion, stating, "Today is a pious day. It is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. On this day, I am happy to note that the Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana for elderly people started in Punjab."
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The inaugural train, carrying devotees, departed from Amritsar to Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra. Around 300 pilgrims from Amritsar, 200 from Jalandhar, and 500 from Dhuri were on board, informed Kejriwal, who is also the Chief Minister of Delhi.
This scheme facilitates people to visit religious places such as Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Patna Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Mata Naina Devi temple, Chintpurni, among others, on trains and buses without incurring any charges.
Kejriwal highlighted that it was his government in Delhi that first initiated the pilgrimage scheme a few years ago, with 80,000 people having visited various religious places since then.
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The Punjab cabinet, on November 6, approved the 'Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra' scheme, allocating Rs 40 crore for its implementation.
