CM flags off sixth phase Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra train from Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar, April 16, 2017: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on
Monday flagged off the sixth phase Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra train from
Sambalpur railway with around 1000 senior citizens on pilgrimage to Shirdi,
Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra.

The entire tour will take a week’s time. A doctor will
accompany the pilgrims in the train. The scheme helps senior citizens over
60-75 years of age to undertake pilgrimage at the Odisha’s Government
assistance.

The CM interacted with the pilgrims and assured that
necessary steps have been taken for their safe and comfortable pilgrimage
through videoconferencing at the Secretariat.

Till date, a total of 5,933 senior citizens have benefitted
from this programme. In 2016-17, around 2,932 senior citizens undertook
pilgrimage to various holy places while the number grew to 30,002 in 2017-18.

They had earlier visited places like Ajmer, Pushkar,
Tirupati, Vellore, Rameswaram, Madurai, Allahabad, Varanasi, Rishikesh and
Haridwar.

The senior citizens thanked Chief Minister for facilitating
their pilgrimage and fulfilling their lives spiritual aspirations.

In 2016, the State Tourism Department introduced the
initiative for the poor and deprived senior citizens of the State for
realisation of their lifelong dream of having one Tirtha Darshan (Pilgrimage)
and fulfills their spiritual aspirations, with the support of the State. This
scheme will be offered to people of all religions, regions and faith.