category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Chief Minister Manohar Lal launched the Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana while giving gift to the elderly on his birthday today. Under the scheme, the Chief Minister flagged off the first batch of buses, carrying about 200 senior citizens from Panchkula for the Ayodhya Yatra from May 5 to May 8. The buses will reach Ambala Cantt and from there the passengers will travel to Ayodhya via train. The state government will bear the travel expenses of these passengers. Manohar Lal said that the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yojana, which has been started from Panchkula will be implemented in the entire state; under which arrangements will be made to send senior citizens above 60 years of age for pilgrimage. The Chief Minister said that it is well-known that there has been a huge struggle in history for the Shri Ram Temple. A big campaign was launched under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and the way for the construction of Ram Mandir was cleared. Today, Ayodhya s Ram Mandir is being constructed in a grand manner and it will pave the way for future generations to come across the history related to it, he said, adding that pilgrimage creates a wider social outlook and going on pilgrimage awakens the feeling of unity and integrity of the country. The Chief Minister said that the data of the people of the state is available with the government through the Parivar Pehchan Patra. The government has planned that a message of best wishes will be sent to all the citizens on their birthdays as a mark of respect from the state government, he said. On the occasion, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yojana. The Chief Minister celebrated his 70th birthday with simplicity at Shishu Greh of Haryana State Council for Child Welfare, Sector 15, Panchkula and advised the children to continue their studies. The Chief Minister also presented gifts to the children. (editor dailyworld.in)