India praises excellent arrangements

A senior Indian minister has described this year’s Haj as the best he has seen in terms of organization and facilities.
Speaking to Arab News during his stay in Mina, Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Indian minister of health and family welfare, said: “This is my fourth Haj. My first one was 27 years ago. I’m very impressed with everything I’ve seen this year. The Saudi government’s arrangements are excellent on all levels.”
“On behalf of the Indian government, I extend our appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and all government agencies for making excellent arrangements,” said Azad.
In a break with the past when the Indian government would send 40 to 50 nationals as part of its goodwill delegation, this year only one high-ranking minister was sent. Members of the diplomatic community welcomed the news because they could focus on the needs of pilgrims rather than politically connected delegates.
The minister was impressed with the massive infrastructure developments at the holy sites since he first performed Haj 27 years ago.
“The trains, the massive Jamrat complex, organized transportation of pilgrims between Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, the air-conditioned, fire-resistant tents, expansion of the Holy Mosque, the communication facilities, all these are recent developments, and have helped Hajis perform the pilgrimage with ease and comfort,” he said.
He said nearly 140,000 Indian pilgrims moved smoothly from Mina to Arafat on Oct. 14. “In fact, all our pilgrims were in their camps in Arafat by 9 a.m.,” he said. “This happened for the first time in history.”
“Most of our pilgrims used the train service … It was smooth and comfortable,” he said. “The Saudi authorities organized the train services very well.”
The minister praised Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao, Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai and Haj Consul Sheikh Mohammed Noor Rahman. “They took care of the pilgrims,” he said. “I visited many pilgrims in their tents and camps and inquired about their well being.”
The minister also thanked the doctors and paramedics who came from India to assist pilgrims. There were 146 doctors and 150 paramedics from India at the holy sites.
“Everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Haj deserves compliments and praise,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Haj mission has dispatched thousands of 10-liter Zamzam cans to India through Saudi Arabian Airlines flights. According to Indian diplomats, the airline has been cooperative and supportive. “It carried cans on every return flight to embarkation points where it has been properly stored,” said one diplomat. “It will be given to pilgrims on their arrival in India.”
Air India also carried Zamzam cans on their outgoing flights.