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SIM cards for Indians going for Haj
Tuesday June 05, 2012 10:24:39 AM,
IINA
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New Delhi:
Indian Haj pilgrims this year may be given mobile SIM cards with a
balance of five Saudi riyals to remain in touch with their dear
ones and the authorities.
A state Haj committee official who attended the recent conference
in New Delhi told Khaleej Times that the All-India Haj Committee
and the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia had discussed the
proposal and were seriously contemplating offering this facility
to the pilgrims.
He said the SIM card would help them talk to their relatives and
friends back home during their stay in the holy city of Makkah, or
get necessary help from local authorities, the Indian consulate
and Haj committee officials in case of emergency.
An orientation programme will also be held for select pilgrims to
brief them on the guidelines to be followed.
Last year, 3,789 pilgrims from Gujarat left for Haj pilgrimage.
This year, more than 37,000 applications were received by the
state Haj committee.
The committee has also issued strict instructions not to allow
pilgrims to carry any excess baggage like boxes and canisters with
them. The pilgrims have been requested to watch the CD of dos and
dont’s by the Haj panel.
The panel official said that the confirmation of the Haj pilgrims
would henceforth be made earlier as many were not able to garner
resources like finances, leading to a large number of
cancellations.
Last year, Saudi Arabia allotted 175,000 of Haj pilgrims for
India. Of the 175,000, about 50,000 were allotted to private tour
agencies while the rest of 125,000 were handled by the Haj
committee itself.
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