Reiterating the state government’s commitment to organising a grand and divine Kumbh Mela, chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat said that Covid guidelines have to be followed but people attending the Kumbh will not face any inconvenience. The state government will not deprive anyone of a holy dip during the Kumbh, he said. The CM was speaking after inaugurating Netra Kumbh programme organised by Saksham organisation here on Sunday. Rawat said that the state government is eager to hold a divine and grand Kumbh which is why flowers were showered from a helicopter on the sadhus to welcome them on the occasion of the Shahi Snan. He said that lakhs of devotees had bathed in the Ganga in Haridwar. Along with the members of the religious fraternity, the general public and members of the business fraternity are also happy. The arrangements will be extended further during the coming Shahi Snans, he said. The CM also recalled that he had issued orders to withdraw cases lodged against about 4,500 people under the Disaster Management Act during the Covid lockdown. However, he stressed on the need for following the Covid-19 guidelines. Rawat further said that the number of buses will be increased for the Kumbh Mela, adding that attempts will also be made to facilitate operation of special trains.
Addressing the gathering, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) national president Mahant Narendra Giri exhorted the people to opt for eye donation. Appreciating the decisions taken by the CM regarding Kumbh Mela, he said that the state government should work to organise the Kumbh in Haridwar in a manner which is better than the Prayagraj Kumbh.
In his address, the Junapithadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, Avdheshanand Giri also stressed on the importance of eyesight. Speaking on the occasion, Patanjali Yogpeeth general secretary Acharya Balkrishna appreciated the works done by Mata Mangala of Hans Foundation. Saksham national head DS Panwar and Mata Mangala of Hans Foundation also spoke on the occasion. The BJP state president Madan Kaushik was also among those present on the occasion. From here, the CM reached the Harihar Ashram at Kankhal where he met the Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Swami Avadheshanand Giri before departing for the Niranjani Akhada.
Monday, 15 March 2021 | PNS | Haridwar
