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Dhuri (Punjab), Nov 9 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday flagged off the first batch of buses carrying devotees for darshan in the holy city of Amritsar under the Mukhyamantri Tirath Yatra Scheme.
Interacting with the devotees, the Chief Minister said that this pilgrimage is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom birth anniversary of the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
He said that this scheme was started on October 29 from Bararwal village and these devotees have been selected in a transparent manner through a draw.
Chief Minister Mann said that this is a humble initiative to strengthen social and religious harmony among the people of Punjab by facilitating pilgrimage to holy places.
The Chief Minister said that this initiative fulfills the heartfelt wish of the elderly people who had been wishing to visit holy religious places for a long time.
He said that under the scheme, devotees will be given visits to Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Lord Valmiki Teerth Sthal, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum and other religious and historical places in Amritsar.
Mann said that this scheme is for people of all castes, religions, income groups and regions.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has made arrangements for free stay of three days and two nights for the pilgrims.
He said devotees aged 50 years and above have been registered for the pilgrimage and voter ID card has been made mandatory for registration.
Mann said that AC buses, AC hotel accommodation and food will be provided free of cost to the pilgrims.
The Chief Minister said each bus will have an attendant to assist the passengers and a medical team will also accompany the pilgrims to provide immediate assistance in case of any emergency.
He said that after the completion of the yatra, prasad will be given to all the devotees.
Mann said that Punjab is the holy land of great gurus, deities, saints and martyrs who gave us the message of brotherhood, unity and communal harmony.
The Chief Minister said that he considers himself blessed that God has entrusted him with the duty of serving the people through this noble cause.
He said that the scheme is in line with the teachings and philosophy of the great Guru Sahibans who gave the message of universal love, brotherhood and peace to the people.
–IANS
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