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Business Standard
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju flags off Hajj yatris, praises arrangements
Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited the Indira Gandhi International airport on Thursday to extend his congratulations and best wishes to departing Hajj pilgrims. Speaking to the mediapersons, Rijiju said, "I am here at the airport to congratulate the Hajj Yatris. Around 400 people will leave today. The management has been good." He also informed of the presence of the Deputy Chief of Mission from Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, Kiren Rijiju extended his heartfelt wishes to all 1,22,518 pilgrims undertaking the sacred Hajj journey. The first flights took off with 288 pilgrims from Lucknow and 262 pilgrims from Hyderabad. In a post on X, the Union Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless Hajj pilgrimage. He also prayed for a safe, blessed and spiritually enriching pilgrimage. "As #Hajj2025 begins, heartfelt wishes to all 1,22,518 pilgrims undertaking this sacred journey. The first flights took off today, 288 pilgrims from Lucknow & 262 pilgrims from Hyderabad. Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the Government of India remains committed to ensuring a smooth & seamless Hajj pilgrimage for all. Prayers for a safe, blessed & spiritually enriching pilgrimage," the Union Minister said. Earlier on April 22, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, inaugurated the orientation-cum-training programme of selected Hajj deputationists of Hajj 2025 for two days on 22nd and 23rd April, 2025, at SCOPE Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. In his inaugural address, the Minister of State, appreciating the role of Hajj deputationists as crucial enablers in successful Hajj operations, exhorted the deputationists to perform the duties assigned to them with utmost sincerity and commitment. In total, 620 deputationists (266 administrative and 354 medical) have been selected this year to assist CGI Jeddah in effective Hajj management in Saudi Arabia, to serve Indian Hajj pilgrims. These deputationists have been chosen through a rigorous selection process. During the orientation-cum-training programme, they are trained on various issues, including an overview of Hajj operations, the role of deputationists, health issues, crowd and disaster management, and the Hajj Suvidha App, before being deputed to Saudi Arabia. Special emphasis is being placed on acquainting the deputationists with the functioning of the Hajj Suvidha App, which was introduced during Hajjj 2024 and played a crucial role in disseminating information and addressing grievances of Indian Hajjj pilgrims. Building on the success of the App during Hajjj-2024, the Government intends to further realise its potential by effectively providing training to the deputationists. Furthermore, since the management of the Indian Hajj pilgrimage is the largest logistical exercise managed by the Government of India outside the country's borders, the orientation-cum-training programme for Hajj deputationists will contribute to helping Indian pilgrims successfully perform Hajj.
Mint
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
PM Modi to discuss Hajj 2025 quota with Crown Prince; 620 deputationists to serve Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
India has selected as many as 620 deputationists this year to assist Consulate General of India (CGI) Jeddah in effective Hajj management in Saudi Arabia with the objective of serving Indian Hajj pilgrims, the government said on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian on Tuesday inaugurated the orientation-cum-training programme of deputationists of Hajj 2025, an official statement said. They include 266 administrative and 354 medical deputationists. The programme is scheduled for two days on April 22 and 23, at SCOPE Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. During the orientation-cum-training programme, these deputationists will be trained on different issues, including an overview of Hajj operations, the role of deputationists, health issues, crowd and disaster management, and the Haj Suvidha App before being deputed to Saudi Arabia. Kurian appreciated the role of Hajj deputationists 'as crucial enablers in successful Hajj operations" and exhorted them to perform the duties assigned to them with "utmost sincerity and commitment'. The management of the Indian Hajj pilgrimage is the largest logistical exercise managed by the Indian government outside the country's borders. India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six agreements on Tuesday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the Gulf nation, news agency PTI reported, citing sources. PM Modi will discuss issues relating to Hajj, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, during his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, as per the report. India's Haj quota for 2025 has risen to 175,025 from 136,020 in 2014, with arrangements for 122,518 pilgrims finalised. However, due to delays by Combined Haj Group Operators in contract agreements, approximately 42,000 Indians are unlikely to perform the sacred pilgrimage this year. The two nations are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology. "Meetings in Riyadh continued late Monday to finalise details, with over a dozen MoUs under discussion, some to be signed at the official level," an official told PTI. Modi is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 10:46 PM IST
