Devendra Fadnavis Says Fulfilling Senior Citizens’ Wishes Is the Scheme’s Greatest Success
Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday flagged off the first special train carrying senior citizen pilgrims from Nagpur to Bodh Gaya under the Chief Minister’s Teerth Darshan Yojana, stating that it is deeply satisfying to see elderly devotees fulfil their long-cherished dream of visiting sacred pilgrimage sites.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at Nagpur Railway Station, Fadnavis said Bodh Gaya, the place where Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, holds immense spiritual significance, and many devotees aspire to visit it at least once in their lifetime.
“Many senior citizens are unable to undertake pilgrimages due to financial, physical, or family-related constraints. The Chief Minister’s Teerth Darshan Yojana was launched to help fulfil these aspirations. This year, around 800 devotees from Nagpur will benefit from the scheme, and it gives me immense happiness that their wishes are being fulfilled,” he said.
The event was attended by Social Justice and Special Assistance Minister Sanjay Shirsat, Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, MP Shyamkumar Barve, Nagpur Mayor Neeta Thakre, MLAs Krishna Khopde, Sanjay Meshram, Sameer Meghe, and Charansingh Thakur, Principal Secretary of the Social Justice Department Harshadeep Kamble, Nagpur Collector Kumar Ashirwad, Regional Deputy Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department Prasad Kulkarni, Assistant Commissioner Sukeshini Telgote, and other senior officials.
Fadnavis praised the Social Justice Department for effectively implementing the scheme, saying its true success lies in enabling elderly devotees to undertake pilgrimages they had long desired but could not afford or manage on their own.
Addressing the gathering, Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat said the department has taken special care to ensure that senior citizens face no inconvenience during the journey. He also announced that, under Chief Minister Fadnavis’ vision, the Maharashtra government is planning to establish a comprehensive facility for devotees from the state at Bodh Gaya in the near future.
The ceremony concluded with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister Sanjay Shirsat, and other dignitaries waving the green flag to the special pilgrimage train, marking the commencement of this year’s Bodh Gaya pilgrimage under the Chief Minister’s Teerth Darshan Yojana.
