Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Aug 21: The first batch of Haj pilgrims will leave the city by flight on August 27, while the first flight carrying pilgrims from Bangalore will depart on September 12, informed state infrastructure development, information, public relations and Haj minister, R Roshan Baig. He made this announcement at Vikasa Soudha at Bangalore on Wednesday August 20.
Addressing a press conference after participating in a progress review meeting relating to facilities being provided to the pilgrims leaving for this holy pilgrimage, he said that six teams of Haj pilgrims will be leaving Mangalore between August 27 and September 1, while 16 teams will be leaving between midnight of September 12 and September 27 from Bangalore. Each of these teams will have 235 pilgrims, he added.
Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah, will be flagging off the first batch that will leave from Bangalore airport on September 12. A number of pilgrims from Belgaum district will leave for the pilgrimage through Goa, while several more from districts like Bidar and Raichur will be dispatched from Hyderabad airport, he explained. Baig informed that preliminary training and vaccination camps will be held on September 2 and 3 at Bangalore for the benefit of pilgrims.
'At these camps, pilgrims will get training about the procedures and precautions they need to take during the pilgrimage. We have requested minister of state for civil aviation, G M Sideshwar, to ensure that these flights leave after 12.30 am, and I am confident that he will consider this request favourably,' the minister said. He informed that the pilgrims have been instructed to take all precautions against contracting Ebola virus, adding that in addition to steps being taken by the Saudi Arabian government, Indian government too will be providing medical facilities at the centres of pilgrimage.
'For the first time, food arrangement is being made at Madinah this year. Lunch and dinner will be provided for 15 Saudi Rials, while morning breakfast will be provided free of cost. From next year onwards, there is proposal to make food arrangement at Holy Mecca too,' he explained.