New Delhi, July 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared a letter addressed to devotees undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra, describing the pilgrimage as an enduring symbol of India’s spiritual heritage and cultural unity, and urging pilgrims to adopt five pledges during the journey.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the Amarnath Yatra associated with Baba Barfani represents the country’s spiritual traditions and cultural harmony, and expressed hope that the pilgrimage remains safe and auspicious for all devotees.
In his letter, Modi extended his greetings to pilgrims and said participating in the Amarnath Yatra is a matter of great fortune for devotees. He said the annual pilgrimage brings together people from different parts of the country, speaking different languages and following diverse traditions, reflecting India’s unity in diversity.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the role of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the Jammu and Kashmir administration, security forces, healthcare workers, sanitation staff, volunteers and local residents in ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Modi appealed to pilgrims to observe five pledges during the Yatra.
The first pledge calls upon devotees to maintain cleanliness throughout the pilgrimage route and follow sanitation norms.
The second urges strict adherence to administrative advisories, traffic regulations and safety guidelines, while taking extra precautions during rain and cold weather.
The third encourages pilgrims to support the local economy by spending at least 10 per cent of their travel expenditure on locally made products under the “Vocal for Local” initiative.
The fourth asks devotees to gift a sapling to their brother or sister on Raksha Bandhan, which coincides with the conclusion of this year’s Yatra, and promote the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
The fifth pledge urges citizens to carry out their duties with honesty throughout the year with a “Nation First” spirit and contribute towards building a developed India.
Expressing confidence that the pilgrimage would further strengthen the traditions of faith, service and national unity, Modi wished all devotees a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling journey.(KNS).
