PM Modi flags off Pravasi Bharatiya Express; special train for NRIs
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, virtually inaugurated the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train aimed at connecting the Indian diaspora with their cultural and religious roots.
This unique initiative, launched under the Ministry of External Affairs' Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana, is designed to offer a memorable and enriching travel experience for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Over a span of three weeks, the train will take participants on a tour of some of India's most iconic tourism and religious sites.
Exclusively built for the Indian diaspora, the Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a state-of-the-art tourist train, specifically tailored to cater to people between the ages of 45 and 65 years. It will cover a wide range of destinations, providing an immersive experience that highlights India's rich heritage and spiritual significance.
The launch date, January 9, was intentionally chosen to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on this very day in 1915. This historic event marked a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence, adding symbolic importance to the train’s inaugural journey.
The train, which departed from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi, will follow an extensive route covering notable places across India. The scheduled stops include: New Delhi, Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Ajmer, Pushkar, and Agra. The train is designed to accommodate 156 passengers, offering them a comfortable and enriching travel experience.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). It is a part of the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the connection between the Indian diaspora and their homeland.
Indian embassies worldwide had called for applications from interested participants, prioritizing Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), particularly those from lower-income backgrounds who may not have the means to visit India on their own. The initiative is designed to make the journey accessible by covering all travel expenses, including 90% of the return airfare, which the ministry will subsidize. Participants will only need to pay 10% of the return airfare. Additionally, travelers will be accommodated in 4-star or equivalent hotels during the tour, ensuring a high standard of comfort.
This pioneering effort by the Indian government seeks to foster greater engagement between the Indian diaspora and their cultural roots, making it easier for them to reconnect with their heritage while experiencing India's diverse spiritual and historical landmarks.
With IANS inputs