The number of Indian pilgrims to Mecca has shot up substantially compared to the previous year.
According to Saudi Arabia Government, more than 1,70,000 Indian pilgrims travelled for Haj this time compared to 1.36 lakh last year. These included both, the pilgrims who availed Government subsidies, and those who went on their own expenses.
“This is a huge jump from last year when 1,36,020 Indian pilgrims travelled, out of which the quota allocated to the Haj Committee of India (HCOI) was 100,020 and for the Private Tour Operators (PTOs) was 36,000 seats,” the Saudi Arabia Government said while giving out the fresh figures. Overall a total of 2,352,122 pilgrims performed Haj this year out of which 74.5 per cent were from countries other than Saudi Arabia.
Minister of State for External Affairs Ministry MJ Akbar was in Mecca and Riyadh early this month to thank the Saudi Government for all the support they provide for the Indian Hajj pilgrims.
“India is a strategic partner in our journey of progress. We share deep-rooted bilateral ties that have been nourished through growing economic partnership, multi-faceted cooperation and vibrant people to people connection. The historical ties of friendship between the two countries will continue to grow and thrive through partnership and cooperation,” the Saudi ambassador to India, Dr. Saud bin Mohammed Al-Sati, said in a statement.
According to the information given by the Saudi government, overall 218 heart by-pass surgeries, 11 open heart surgeries and 357 other surgeries were performed on the pilgrims who took ill during Haj. Besides, 983 kidney dialysis, 52 endoscopic procedures were performed. In addition, 13, 892 patients were admitted in the patient emergency centre and 1, 517 patients were given anaesthesia in the seven hospitals and care seasons in Mecca, four in Mina, four in Arafah. The medical figures for Indians were not given separately.