New Delhi, December 15: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha honoured members of Langar organisations and Non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) for their invaluable contribution during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2024. The felicitation ceremony, held at the Resident Commission’s office, recognised the selfless service of those who provided food, langar (community kitchen), and other vital services to pilgrims throughout the yatra.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals and organisations involved, emphasising their role in ensuring the well-being of the devotees during the sacred pilgrimage. “The individuals and organisations we recognise today are true contributors to the tradition of selfless service,” said LG Sinha.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the collective efforts that led to the successful conduct of Yatra 2024. He credited the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, various government departments, J&K Police, security forces, sewadars, voluntary organisations, and civil society groups for their role in making the pilgrimage a smooth and spiritual experience for the devotees.
Reaffirming the Shrine Board’s commitment to ensuring a quality pilgrimage experience, the Lieutenant Governor stated, “Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a symbol of our rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The aim of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all those associated with Langar Seva is to make this divine pilgrimage hassle-free. It is our collective responsibility to contribute fully to this noble cause.”
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on the infrastructure development undertaken to facilitate the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra. He mentioned the widening of roads, upgrading of facilities, and the operationalisation of several additional services, including cloakrooms at Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave.
A total of 122 Langars served free food and prasad to pilgrims along both yatra routes in 2024. This included 47 Langars/NGOs along the Baltal axis, 14 in the Sangam and Holy Cave areas, 59 on the Pahalgam axis, and two at Srinagar Yatri Niwas. Social organisations were also instrumental in providing additional services, such as free fodder at Pahalgam and Poshpathri, operational battery car services on the Baltal route, and the distribution of safety helmets to yatris in vulnerable areas.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the successful disaster preparedness efforts, the decongestion of Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave areas, and the implementation of strict safety protocols for the langar sewadars. He noted that langars were only allowed to operate in demarcated, safer zones, and only those with valid RFID cards were permitted to access the yatra areas.
In his concluding remarks, the Lieutenant Governor encouraged all langar organisations and voluntary groups to continue striving for excellence in the quality of service provided to the pilgrims.