China agrees to let in more Mansarovar pilgrims
By IANSWednesday, March 31, 2010
NEW DELHI - China has agreed to accommodate more Indian pilgrims for the four-month-long Kailash Mansarovar ‘yatra’ (travel), External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Wednesday.
Krishna presided over the draw of lots for selecting the people for the pilgrimage that is scheduled to begin June 1.
This year 960 names were selected on the basis of draw of lots through a computer-generated, gender-balanced random computerised selection process. The remaining applicants were put on a standby list.
“In view of our request to allow a greater number of ‘yatris’ (pilgrims) to visit Kailash Mansarovar, the Chinese side had agreed to increase the size of each batch from 44 to 60,” Krishna said.
The government is also discussing issues relating to the upgradation of facilities on the Chinese side for the pilgrimage that takes place on a difficult terrain.
The Chinese side conveyed their willingness to provide greater facilitation to pilgrims from India, he said.
