Minister of Minority Affairs Smriti Irani on Saturday inaugurated the training of the administrative and medical contingent of the deputationists selected to serve the Hajis in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Haj 2023. A 468-member team has been chosen for the training to facilitate the movement of 1.75 lakh pilgrims. Highest till date, 4,314 women who will be travelling without a male guardian (mehram) will also be in the contingent, the Minister said.
The Ministry has deputed 468 people, including 339 medical professionals (173 doctors and 166 paramedics), 129 personnel for administrative duties, including 29 Group A officers, for Haj pilgrimage this year.
The Ministry, this year, claimed to have facilitated women empowerment by allowing single women to apply under Ladies Without Mehram category and this received the highest number of applications among all categories.
