Lifelong wishes turn into reality as thousands experience dignified and comfortable journeys: Hardeep Singh Mundian
Chandigarh; May 9:
Under the soft morning sun, 68-year-old Bibi Harbans Kaur sat quietly on the bus, holding a small bag in her hands. There was a gentle moisture in her eyes and a calm radiance on her face, as though a dream she had carried for years was finally within reach. “I always felt this day was not written in my destiny,” she said with a faint smile.
Her story is not hers alone; it echoes the silent wishes of thousands of elderly citizens across Punjab. Today, those long-held aspirations are being realised through the Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra Yojana.
Launched under the leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann, the initiative reflects the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring a dignified, comfortable and spiritually enriching journey for senior citizens. With careful planning and large-scale deployment of resources, the scheme is steadily setting new standards in public service delivery.
Divulging further details, Punjab Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that every day, more than 1,100 pilgrims aged 50 years or above undertake the journey under the scheme. To ensure their comfort, safety and wellbeing throughout, over 900 staff members are deployed, providing continuous assistance and on-ground support at every stage.
Punjab, a land deeply rooted in spiritual heritage, carries a strong sense of faith in every household. For many elderly citizens, visiting sacred places such as the Golden Temple was once a distant dream, often held back by financial constraints or health concerns. The scheme has changed that reality, he added.
Pilgrims under the scheme are taken on free journeys to prominent religious and historical destinations. The itinerary includes visits to Durgiana Temple and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, along with key heritage sites such as Jallianwala Bagh and the Partition Museum, offering a meaningful blend of spirituality and history.
He said that the three-day, two-night journey is designed to be seamless and comfortable. The government provides air-conditioned buses and trains, organised accommodation, hygienic meals and essential items such as bedsheets and blankets, along with emergency medical facilities, all free of cost. Each arrangement is made with a clear focus on the ease and dignity of elderly travellers.
In a short span, the initiative has made a significant impact, the Cabinet Minister said, adding that a fleet of nearly 100 buses facilitates daily travel for around 1,100 pilgrims and around 1,10,000 senior citizens have already benefitted from the scheme.
For many, this initiative has become more than just a journey. It is the fulfilment of a lifelong wish. What once felt distant is now within reach, allowing thousands to experience, with dignity and comfort, moments they had long waited for, said Hardeep Singh Mundian.
