Srinagar, June 22: National Conference President and Member of Parliament, Farooq Abdullah, visited Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday to review the arrangements made for the upcoming Amarnath Pilgrimage. The 62-day-long annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence from July 1, with routes spanning Pahalgam in South Kashmir and Baltal in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
During his visit, Farooq Abdullah expressed hope for a successful and incident-free yatra, urging for the avoidance of untoward incidents or natural calamities throughout the two-month-long pilgrimage. He expressed gratitude to the administration for providing sufficient arrangements for the pilgrims on the traditional Pahalgam route, including the availability of a well-equipped hospital for necessary medical treatment.
However, he expressed disappointment over the shortage of staff, particularly female nurses. Farooq Abdullah suggested that instead of authorities relying on nursing staff from other hospitals for Amarnath Yatra duties, unemployed nurses could be appointed on a temporary basis during the pilgrimage period, providing them with employment opportunities for at least this duration.
Farooq Abdullah emphasized the message of love and hospitality that the pilgrims would carry back with them, stating that the nation belongs to all its citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations. He highlighted the spirit of inclusivity enshrined in the constitution, which guarantees equality to all individuals.
The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir emphasized the longstanding tradition of providing exceptional hospitality to Amarnath pilgrims in the region and expressed his hope that this year too, the pilgrims would leave with a message of love and harmony from Kashmir.