Free pilgrimage trips for senior citizens by train: Tamil Nadu government Plan
The state government is planning to organize free pilgrimage for the poor people to visit holy places such as Kasi, Gaya, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Ajmer, and Goa. IRCTC has already presented a proposal to the Tamil Nadu Government.
People from different religions such
as Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, especially, the senior citizens, yearn to
visit the holy places of their respective religions at least once in their
lifetime. This is easily people for the rich whereas the poor find it only a
dream which they cannot afford.
The Tamil Nadu government and the
Indian Railways jointly studied the possibility of offering and organizing free
pilgrimage trips to one of the holy places for the senior citizens, over 65
years of age. For the hindus, the plan includes trip to one of the following
places: kasi, Gaya, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Allahabad, Somnath, Dwaraka, and
Ayodhi. For the Christians, it is Goa and for the Muslims, it is Ajmer.
A train can carry up to 1,100 people.
The plan is to organize 4 trips every month. The regional collectors will be
selecting and approving the applicants who are supposed to show their ration
cards and birth certificates.
The plan is to organize these free
pilgrimages from every district. The state government will bear the expenses of
travel, stay, & food.
The states of Madhya Pradesh,
Chattisgarh, and Rajasthan have already implemented this popular facility.
The Tamil Nadu government will coordinate with ICRTC to form an agreement.
