Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today felicitated the members of Langar Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) participated in offering Food, Langar (Community Kitchen) and other services to pilgrims during Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2024.
At a felicitation ceremony held at Resident Commission’s office, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders for their selfless service and making valuable contribution to devotees' well-being during the pilgrimage.
“All the individuals and organizations whom we recognize and honour today are real-life contributors to the traditions of selfless service,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor said the successful conduct of Yatra 2024 was a result of the collaborative efforts of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, various government departments and agencies, J&K Police, Security Forces, sewadars, voluntary organisations and civil society groups.
He also reiterated the commitment of the Shrine Board for providing quality facilities to the pilgrims to make their pilgrimage a memorable experience. “Shri Amarnath Ji yatra is a symbol of our rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The aim of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all those associated with Langar Seva work is to make the holy pilgrimage divine and hassle free. It is the responsibility of all of us to put all our energy into this noble cause,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor further spoke on the infrastructural development including widening of road, upgradation of various facilities for the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra. He observed that additional cloak-rooms were made functional at Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave. As many as122 Langars provided free of cost food and prasad to the yatris during Yatra 2024 along both the Yatra routes.
This included 47 Langars/NGOs along Baltal axis, 14 in Sangam & Holy Cave area, 59 on Pahalgam axis and 2 in Srinagar Yatri Niwas. Social organizations were also engaged in providing free fodder service at Pahalgam and Poshpathri, operationalization of free of cost battery car service on Baltal route and distribution of the safety helmets to yatris in Yatra stretches vulnerable to shooting stones, he said.
He said the disaster preparedness, decongestion of Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave area was successfully undertaken prior to the commencement of Yatra 2024. For the safety and convenience of pilgrims and langar sewadars, it was ensured that langars were set up only in demarcated safer zones at Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave and langar sewadars were allowed in the yatra area with valid RFID cards only, the Lieutenant Governor further added.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that all langar organisations and voluntary organisations should strive to provide high quality of service to the pilgrims. Sh K.N Rai, Member, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB); Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, CEO, SASB; Sh KK Sharma, Member, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr Rashmi Singh, Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K; Shri Rahul Singh, Additional CEO, SASB, representatives of langar and social organisations were present.