&w=3840&q=100)
Amarnath Yatra: 2nd batch of devotees leave Pahalgam, praise arrangement
ANI General News
The second batch of devotees departed from Pahalgam for the Amarnath Yatra on Friday morning. Amid the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack, devotees lauded the arrangements and said there is nothing to be afraid of.
"I am from Noida, and we are a group of 13 people. This is my first time. I am very excited. The arrangements are very good. There is nothing to be afraid of," pilgrim Manoj Singh told ANI.
Devotee Disha Chavda said that she will pray for peace in the country.
Speaking to ANI, she said, "We will pray for everyone's peace and prosperity. The arrangements are excellent. I will pray for my country that there is peace everywhere. I am very excited for Baba's darshan."
Meanwhile, the first batch of pilgrims chanted bhajans and performed the Aarti of Lord Shiva as they reached the Holy Amarnath Cave. The first batch had begun their trek towards the Holy Cave of Amarnath from the Baltal base camp on Thursday morning. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje was also a part of this batch of pilgrims.
Security in the whole Jammu region has been massively heightened for the Amarnath Yatra, following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Over 50,000 personnel, including those from the CRPF, Army, and Police, have been deployed, along with continuous monitoring through CCTV, drones, jammers, and facial recognition technology, along the route.
Proper arrangements have been made for medical teams, air ambulances, and emergency evacuation plans to ensure maximum safety during the pilgrimage.
The Amarnath Yatra, which began on Thursday, is being conducted through the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The Jammu-Srinagar Highway is a key route for the thousands of pilgrims heading to the Holy Cave of Amarnath.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Preparations for Kumbh mela 2027 underway in Haridwar: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that preparations are underway for the Kumbh Mela scheduled to be held in Haridwar in 2027, asserting that tourism in the state is witnessing rapid growth. CM Pushkar Dhami cited rapid progress on the Char Dham all-weather road and renovation of Badrinath and Kedarnath dhams.(X/ @pushkardhami) CM Dhami also highlighted that the Char Dham Yatra, which is currently underway, is progressing smoothly. "Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our Char Dham Yatra is going on very well, and our tourism is developing. We have started the winter yatra, and other religious sites have been developed... The Kumbh Mela is scheduled to be held in Haridwar in 2027, and preparations for it are underway," CM Dhami told ANI. Highlighting the recognition received for development efforts, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand has secured the first position in NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index among small states. "By integrating ecology, economy, and technology, we are progressing with balanced development," he said. Further, CM Dhami mentioned the positive feedback received from delegates during the G20 Summit meeting hosted in Ramnagar here. "The G20 Summit meeting was held here, and the delegates from around the world left with a positive experience." CM Dhami listed several key infrastructure developments, including rapid progress on the Char Dham all-weather road and renovation of Badrinath and Kedarnath dhams. "Pantnagar airport is also being expanded and is on the way to becoming an international airport," he said. He also highlighted that state government provided significant number of jobs to the youth. "...In these years, we have paid special attention to employment. So far, about 24000 appointments have been made, and we have brought a strict law against cheating. UCC was our election resolution. We implemented UCC in the state. Under the leadership of the respected Prime Minister, we presented our resolution in front of the people of Uttarakhand. Our resolution was fulfilled, and we completed the work," CM Dhami said.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Manesar to get a Disneyland: Saini
The National Capital Region (NCR) is set to become home to India's first Disneyland Park, with the Haryana government proposing a 500-acre amusement and entertainment destination in Manesar, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Thursday. The Haryana government has proposed a 500-acre amusement and entertainment destination in Manesar, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Thursday. (HT PHOTO) The proposed park will be located along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, ensuring seamless access from Delhi and other major centres. The plan, which officials said is part of the state's broader strategy to transform itself into a global tourism hub, aims to position Haryana alongside global destinations like Paris, Tokyo, and California that host similar Disney-themed parks. Saini described the project as a 'game-changer' for Haryana's tourism and economy. 'This entertainment hub will bring economic, cultural, and social benefits not only to Haryana but to the entire country,' said Saini, following discussions with Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi. 'Manesar's proximity to Delhi, its infrastructure, and corporate presence make it the perfect location.' State tourism officials aware of the project's details said the move is expected to drastically alter the region's tourism profile. It is likely to attract massive private investment, boost infrastructure, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and catalyse growth in the hospitality, entertainment, and real estate sectors in and around Manesar and Pachgaon. The announcement is being seen as an effort to fill the entertainment void left by the shuttering of Gurugram's Kingdom of Dreams in 2022, which had once promised to be India's collapsed amid mounting financial losses and disputes between its promoters and state authorities. 'This project will mark a turning point for Haryana's tourism economy,' said a senior tourism department official. 'Disneyland's global brand value, combined with Haryana's expressways and mega infrastructure projects like the Global City, will elevate the entire NCR as a destination for tourists and investors alike.' Owned by the Walt Disney Company, there are five Disneylands across the world — in California and Florida in the United States, Paris (France), Tokyo (Japan), and Hong Kong. On asked if the project has been cleared by Disney, a senior state government official, requesting anonymity, said, 'The project was announced only after all necessary communications were completed and after receiving the proposal from all concerned parties. However, Disney has not issued an official statement yet.' As part of its holistic tourism push, the Haryana government is also expanding its cultural calendar. The Surajkund Crafts Mela, traditionally held once a year, will now be hosted thrice annually with the addition of a Diwali Fair and a Book Fair. The expanded calendar is aimed at offering broader platforms for artisans, performers, and writers, and drawing larger tourist footfalls. Saini also urged the Centre to extend financial support for scaling up the annual International Gita Mahotsav, a Kurukshetra-based celebration of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings. 'Projects like Disneyland, Surajkund expansion, and Gita Mahotsav will redefine Haryana's global image. We're committed to building a world-class cultural and tourism ecosystem,' he said. Tourism industry experts welcomed the integrated approach, saying that blending heritage, entertainment, and infrastructure could significantly increase Haryana's tourist inflow. Officials added that land acquisition and administrative work for the Disneyland project is already underway, and discussions with global partners are progressing. Groundwork is expected to begin in the coming months. However, the announcement has stirred political memories of an earlier, unsuccessful attempt. In 1989, the Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government had proposed a Disney-style park over 28,000 acres in Gurugram. The project was scrapped following intense farmer protests over land acquisition, turning it into a politically sensitive issue. Abhay Singh Chautala, INLD's national president, lashed out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of hypocrisy. 'The BJP vehemently opposed the 1989 proposal and even a plan for a casino in 2000. They must now explain what has changed,' he said. BJP, however, leaders defended the new project, drawing a distinction between past and present. 'Our opposition in 1989 was against the forcible acquisition of thousands of acres of farmers' land. This project is limited to 500 acres and will be executed in a manner that respects farmers' interests while promoting development,' said Arun Yadav, BJP social media head.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Haryana eyes India's first Disneyland-style park in Manesar; 500 acres identified near Gurgaon, ET Infra
Advt Why Gurgaon? Tourism expansion plans Advt By , ETInfra Haryana could become home to India's first Disneyland-style amusement park, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Wednesday, announcing that 500 acres of land had been identified near Pachgaon Chowk in Manesar for the proposed per a Times of India report, the government is in talks with Disney officials, Saini said, following a meeting with Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi. He added that the proposed entertainment hub would create both direct and indirect employment and boost tourism.'The project will generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities and bring major changes to the area. It will attract international tourists too,' Saini was chosen, Saini said, as it contributes the largest share to the state's revenue and hosts multiple Fortune 500 companies. Its proximity to transport corridors such as the KMP Expressway and Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor makes Manesar accessible to visitors across NCR.'The upcoming Global City project in Gurgaon will be another milestone for the region. Hence, Gurgaon is the most suitable location for Disneyland,' he Global City project, a 1,000-acre township being planned across four sectors, will follow a walk-to-work model, with integrated facilities and transport links to the Delhi-Gurgaon and Dwarka chief minister also announced plans to scale up the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra and expand the Surajkund mela into a triennial event with a Diwali mela and a book fair.'Considering the popularity of the Surajkund Mela, the government is planning to organise a Diwali mela and a book fair at Surajkund as well… We have also sought support from the Union tourism ministry and the central govt to organise Gita Mahotsav on a grand scale,' he said.'Together, these projects will firmly establish Haryana as a tourism hub,' the CM finalised, the Haryana Disneyland would be Disney's first direct collaboration in India. Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government announced plans for a Disneyland-inspired park in Navi Mumbai, but without formal involvement from the animation had floated a similar proposal in 1989, when then CM Om Prakash Chautala proposed a Disneyland park in Gurgaon. The plan was later shelved following political opposition and land acquisition national president Abhay Singh Chautala on Thursday questioned the BJP's current support for the project.'BJP was supporting INLD govt in 1989 but it sided with Congress to oppose the project back then,' he said.
