Amarnath yatra: Governor felicitates ‘langar’ bodies
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 7
Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), felicitated ‘langar’ organisations for voluntarily rendering valuable service to pilgrims in the annual yatra at a function organised by the board in Jammu. He distributed certificates of appreciation to 120 langar organisations and NGOs who established langars and rendered varied services to pilgrims during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2016. SP Vaid, Director General of Police, was present on the occasion.
Lauding the contribution of the langar organisations in serving free food throughout the yatra to pilgrims in the difficult mountainous terrain and challenging climatic conditions, the Governor thanked them for playing a notable role and for their valued relationship with the shrine board ever since it was established.
The Governor emphasised the high importance of ensuring that every aspect of the yatra was viewed and handled systematically and in a disciplined manner. He observed that the pilgrimage was not possible without a very closely coordinated approach among the various agencies. He hoped that this year, notwithstanding the heavy snow accumulation en route the shrine, the pilgrimage would commence on June 29 as scheduled. He thanked the state government departments and agencies, private service providers and security forces for their invaluable contribution in making the annual pilgrimage possible.
It is pertinent to mention that the langar organisations and NGOs from across the country provide free food facility, install public address systems, set up free shoe racks, provide medical facilities and install lights on the tracks every year. Even before the shrine board was set up, these organisations were providing services to pilgrims and are one of the important stakeholders in the yatra.
Vijay Thakur and Rajan Gupta, president and general secretary, respectively of the Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars’ Organisation; Rajan Kapoor and Rajiv Sethi, president and general secretary, respectively of Shri Amarnath Yatra Bhandara Organisation; Surinder Mohan Aggarwal, and Karan Singh Charak, president and general secretary, respectively of Shri Baba Amarnath and Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas; and other apex langar organisations were present on the occasion. They thanked the shrine board for recognising their services during the yatra.
In his welcome address, PK Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board, apprised the langar organisations about the continued endeavour of the board to provide better services to the pilgrims. The CEO further informed that all sewadars were being provided free accidental insurance cover since 2015 and stressed the need for the organisations to strictly adhere to all terms and conditions laid down by the board for the functioning of all service providers. Jitendra K Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the board, presented a vote of thanks.
