Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Vaccination of 1,450 Haj pilgrims from the district was completed at the Haj House in the last three days. The pilgrims are expected to depart for Haj by the end of April or in the first week of May. Doctors and staff from the district hospital, Chikalthana, along with trainers of the Haj Committee and office-bearers of Hujjaj Committee, worked diligently to carry out the vaccination process.
Every year, between 1,500 and 1,800 pilgrims from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district travel for Haj. The Haj House serves as a central facility for pilgrims from all districts of Marathwada for submitting applications, attending training camps and completing other related procedures. In December, pilgrims had submitted their applications online to the Haj Committee of India. As the number of applicants exceeded the available quota, several pilgrims were placed on the waiting list. Over the past month, some pilgrims from the waiting list were selected for the holy voyage.
Last year, Maharashtra’s quota was increased as vacancies were reported in other states. This year too, more than 4,000 pilgrims from Maharashtra remain on the waiting list. Orders were issued to vaccinate those pilgrims who have been shortlisted to undertake the Haj pilgrimage.
The vaccination drive at the Haj House began on January 27. On the first day, blood samples of 350 pilgrims were collected. After receiving the test reports, vaccines were administered the following day. On January 28, another 350 pilgrims were vaccinated, followed by 450 pilgrims on January 31. In total, vaccination of 1,450 pilgrims has been completed, according to officials of the Haj Committee.