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| Govt selects 960 pilgrims for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
NEW DELHI, MAR 31: Nine-hundred-and sixty pilgrims have been selected for this year’s Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra through a random computerised draw of lots held here today in the presence of External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
Announcing this, a Press release issued here by the Ministry of External Affairs today said, “Yatris have been selected through a computer-generated, gender-balanced random computerised selection process” from the applicants from all over the country who responded to a Ministry’s advertisement issued earlier this year. The Yatra shall begin from June 1 and is slated to conclude in September this year.
SM Krishna said on the occasion that the Government attached great importance to the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in view of the deep religious sentiments of the people of India associated with Mount Kailash and Manasarovar. He said that it was Government’s endeavour to improve and upgrade facilities for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra on a continuing basis and increase the number of Yatris every year.
Addressing the media after the draw of lots ceremony, the Minister told that the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was being organised by his Ministry, in coordination with various State and Central Government agencies since 1981 under a bilateral arrangement between India and China and the arrangements on the Chinese side were made by the authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
A number of facilities are provided by the Government to the Yatris, including medical assistance, security and escort cover by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till Lipulekh Pass on the Indian side besides communication links with China and provision of satellite phone to each batch of Yatris for use throughout the Yatra. A Liaison Officer is attached by the Government with each batch of Yatris. The officer is responsible for the general care and welfare of pilgrims.
In view of India’s request to allow a greater number of Yatris to visit Kailash Manasarovar, the Chinese side agreed to increase the size of each batch from 44 to 60 Yatris. The number of Yatris has been increasing over the years. This year there are going to be 960 Yatrisin all who would undertake the pilgrimage in 16 batches.
Government is also discussing with the Chinese side issues related to improvement of facilities on their side for the Yatra that are mainly posed by difficult terrain and lack of infrastructure through the route. There has been gradual improvement over the years in this regard and China has expressed its willingness to provide better facilities to pilgrims from India.
Applicants besides the 960 Yatris who were selected today have been put on a standby list, said the External Affairs Ministry release.
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