The first flight with Haj pilgrims from lucknow departed for Mecca after Uttar Pradesh Minority Welfare and Haj Minister laxmi Narain and his deputy Mohsin Raza flagged off the bus to the airport from the Haj House.
Around 300 Haj pilgrims boarded the first flight which took off from the Choudhury Charan Singh international airport at around 1200 hrs.
Narain wishing the pilgrims for their safe and comfortable journey, asked them to pray for the well being of the people of the country and nation’s prosperity.
Raza said the Yogi Adityanth government has given better facilities to the Haj pilgrims in comparison to previous one with adopting its policy of ‘ Saabka Saath, Saabka Vikas”.
He added that now ACs have been installed at the Haj house here so that the pilgrims can stay comfortably. People who are helping the Haj pilgrims would be awarded by the government.
Government has sent two helpers with this team who will help pilgrims in Mecca with their stay.
While the departure of Haj pilgrims from lucknow began from Monday but the same will commence from Varanasi on Tuesday.
It was a happy and an emotional moment for Haj pilgrims as they were ferried to the airport on seven air conditioned buses to where they boarded the Saudi Arabian airlines 5237. Over 12,500 pilgrims will be going for Haj from lucknow in 42 flights till August 8. Amongst the batch that left for the first trip the oldest member was 91 year old pilgrim Khairula from the Sant Kabirnagar district and the youngest member was fourteen year old Nazia.
Secretary Uttar Pradesh State Haj Committee RP Singh while talking to “The Pioneer” said that it was an overwhelming moment for several of the old persons who were boarding the airplane for the first time amd they were happy that they were getting the chance to make this trip. He said that all arrangements had been made to the minutest details to see that the pilgrims faced bi problem.
“Keeping in mind the high level of humidity we had made arrangements for air conditioned buses to ferry the passengers. He said that several government departments and units coordinated to see that organize this which included the Central Haj Commottee, the State Haj Committee, Saudi Airlines, the district administration, External Affairs Ministry and the Health Department. He further said that there was one attendant aloud on a single person as well as a group of five. He said that they had selected 46 Khadimul hujzaz or supporters to accompany these pilgrims in a bid to facilitate them. “ These include those people who have gone on the pilgrimage before” he said.
Giving the details Sajid Shamin while talking to “The Pioneer” who is helping in the administrative works at the Haj House said that most of the pilgrims that leave for Haj from lucknow are those who are from Central Uttar Pradesh. “In the Western Uttar Pradesh the pilgrims usually leave from Delhi while in the eastern side they usually leave from Varanasi” he said.
“The Haj pilgrims arrive at the Haj house 48 hours prior to their departure. “ When they enter the campus their papers are verified and bookings done. The next day their documents are verifies and they are given fire proof bracelets. They are also provided currency and briefed about the trip that they are making” he said. He admitted that most of the pilgrims seemed from remote places and as if they were travelling for the first time on a plane” he said. A member from the Saudi Airlines said that the flight reaches Medina in six hours. Among the facilities that they have provided for the pilgrims on board the plane was that there was a translator to help in any communication between the pilgrims and the airlines officials because the crew spoke only english and arabic” he said. He said that there were a total of 166 male pilgrims and 133 female pilgrims who were on board the flight