Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme) has taken off, with 775 elderly people from six districts embarking on a journey to Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida and Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo flagged off the first train from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, wishing the pilgrims a safe and auspicious journey.
The pilgrims, aged senior citizens from Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Dhenkanal districts, will visit Lord Sri Ramlal at Ayodhya and the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, along with experiencing the holy Ganga Aarti and exploring temples at the Ganga Ghats.
Under the scheme, the State Government’s Tourism Department has collaborated with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Khordha District Administration to facilitate the journey. The scheme aims to provide an opportunity for approximately 8,000 senior citizens to visit various pilgrimage places in India in 10 phases during the financial year 2025-26.
The launch event was attended by several dignitaries, including Industry Minister Sampad Charan Swain, MLAs from various constituencies, and Khurda District Magistrate Amrit Poojaraj, who congratulated the senior citizens on this auspicious journey. Additional Secretary, Tourism Department Rudra Narayan Das, proposed the vote of thanks.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s vision for the Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme is to enable senior citizens to visit revered pilgrimage sites, fostering spiritual growth and cultural exchange. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of its senior citizens.
