34 elderly people sent on free pilgrimage

Thirty-four elderly people from here were today sent on a free pilgrimage to major religious destinations including the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath under the state government's 'Mere Buzurg, Mere Teerth' scheme.

The batch of 34 pilgrims from Nainital -- 18 women and 16 men -- were given a send-off by Nainital MLA Sarita Arya and District Magistrate Deepak Rawat.

Under this scheme, senior citizens above 65 years of age are entitled to free pilgrimage conducted by the tourism department which bearsthe entire cost of travelling, food and stay during the duration of the tour.

The trip includes visit to Badrinath Pirankaliyar, Aulyasahab, Hemkund Saheb and Haridwar.
 

"Interested citizens may get themselves registered with the tourism department," said Bhuwan Trivedi, in-charge of the tourism office here.