Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off an AC bus from his official residence here on Thursday carrying visually impaired and other differently-abled people to the ongoing Simhastha Kumbh mela in Ujjain. The disabled persons will take the holy dip in Kshipra.
The trip was organised by the Madhya Pradesh Blind Relief Association. The initiative has come as a boon for people with disabilities who harbour the wish to visit the mela.
Sunanda, who is unable to walk properly because of her disability, was elated that the Government has made arrangements for people like her to visit the sacred Kumbh mela. "I am going to Ujjain for the first time and feeling so good that I can't explain," she said.
"We are really grateful to the Chief Minister for taking people like us to Simhastha (Kumbh) mela and making all arrangements for the holy dip which otherwise is impossible and totally unthinkable," Jai Prakash said.
Addressing the devotees on the occasion, Chouhan highlighted the arrangements made for people with disabilities and asked them to feel the spiritual milieu while taking a holy dip in the Shipra river.
"I am really happy for all of you that you are going to Ujjain for the darshan of lord Mahakal and taking a holy dip in Kshipra on the occasion of Simhastha mela," he said while welcoming the group at his residence.
Extending the disabled persons best wishes, the Chief Minister said that they are going to witness a Mahakumbh where everyone wishes to visit. lakhs of devotees are visiting Simhastha everyday this time. In view of the crowd, separate arrangements have been made for the disabled persons for the holy dip. He said the Kshipra water will purify body and soul. He invoked the blessings of lord Mahakal. The Chief Minister shook hands with the disabled persons going for Simhastha darshan and extended them the best wishes.
He asked the officials to make all arrangements for their comfortable journey, visit to the ghats and meals.
Secretary of Social Justice Manohar Agnani and Director Ajit Kumar were also present on the occasion.
"Nearly 44 persons are going to Simhastha mela as part of the initiative," association's chairman Nasir Hussain said. Hussain said it was for the first time such an initiative was taken by the Government for physically challenged persons.