Jharsuguda: Oct 16 [UDN}:Around 400 senior citizens from Jharsuguda district embarked on a special pilgrimage to Puri under the Odisha Government’s senior citizens’ pilgrimage scheme, ‘Shri Jagannath Darshan’, aimed at enabling elderly people to visit the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath and experience spiritual fulfilment.
The pilgrimage buses operated by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) were ceremonially flagged off at around 5 PM on October 14 from Manmohan Ground in Jharsuguda. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari attended the programme as the chief guest, while Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy was present as the guest of honour.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Zilla Parishad Chairperson Tulabati Minz, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad Biswaranjan Nayak, Additional District Magistrate (General) Brajabandhu Bhoi, Sub-Collector Sabyasachi Panda, BJP district president Raghunandan Panda and MP’s representative Shloka Sarshak, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the welfare, dignity and well-being of senior citizens. He emphasised that caring for and respecting parents occupies a supreme place in Indian culture and urged the younger generation to follow the ideals of Shravan Kumar, the legendary figure known for his devotion and service to his parents.
The minister said the state government considered it a privilege to serve as a modern-day Shravan Kumar for elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that senior citizens could fulfil their long-cherished spiritual aspirations with dignity, care and support.
Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy also expressed happiness over the initiative, describing it as a matter of pride and good fortune to facilitate a safe and respectful pilgrimage for elderly residents of the district. He noted that visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple and having darshan of the Lord remained a cherished dream for many Odias.
Tripathy expressed confidence that the pilgrimage would bring renewed enthusiasm, spiritual peace and happiness to the participants. He also assured that similar welfare-oriented initiatives would continue in the coming days to benefit senior citizens.
During the flag-off ceremony, the attending dignitaries personally visited the buses, interacted with the pilgrims and enquired about their needs, comfort and any difficulties they might face during the journey. Several senior citizens expressed their happiness and gratitude for receiving the opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage under the state government’s initiative.
Among the participants was Khaturam Tanti of Brajrajnagar, along with many other elderly residents who shared their emotional responses to the opportunity to visit the holy city of Puri. They conveyed their appreciation to the state government and district administration for organising the journey.
Keeping the health, safety and comfort of the pilgrims in mind, the district administration arranged a dedicated ‘Shravan Kumar Team’ to assist the senior citizens throughout the pilgrimage. The team is intended to provide necessary support and help ensure that the journey remains safe, comfortable and well-coordinated.
The programme was coordinated by Information and Public Relations Officer-cum-District Culture Officer Ritakanta Baliyarsingh and Sub-Divisional Information and Public Relations Officer Krushnakeshi Baliyarsingh, who conducted the stage proceedings.
District Tourism Development Officer Somesh Acharya, District Welfare Officer Amrik Acharya and Assistant Collector Biswajit Rout were also present and contributed to the smooth organisation of the event.
Amid chants of “Jai Jagannath”, “Haribol” and traditional ululation, the OSRTC buses carrying the approximately 400 senior citizens departed for Puri, marking the beginning of a spiritually significant journey for the elderly pilgrims.
The initiative reflects the Odisha Government’s efforts to promote senior citizens’ welfare while enabling elderly people to fulfil their long-standing religious aspirations through organised pilgrimage facilities, administrative assistance and dedicated care.
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