Bhubaneswar: More than 1,000 senior citizens left on a pilgrimage by a special train that was flagged off by chief minister Naveen Patnaik under a scheme from here.

Most of them were either boarding a train for the first time or going out of the state for the first time. Harekrushna Nayak, 70, a tribal from Mayurbhanj district, said: "I have forgotten the year when I tied the knot with my wife Budhuni. Then so many problems emerged. We are poor and find it hard to make ends meet. I never thought I would go outside my district."

"Fellow villagers said Naveen Patnaik was arranging tour programmes for elderly people at free of cost. Later, I along with my relatives met the officials in Baripada and my application was approved."

On the other hand, his wife Budhuni said she was happy to be on the train. "At least for seven days, I won't have to do anything. We are getting rice at Rs 2 per kg. My husband is getting old-age pension of Rs 300 and now we are going outside. We are happy with Naveen," said Budhuni.

Budhuni said they were carrying Rs 700 for the trip. "The government will give us everything. We are carrying the money to bring something for our grandchildren," said Harekrushna.

As many as 1,022 elderly persons, who also boarded the special train for Ajmer and Puskar, were seen happy to be on the trip called Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana.

Tourism minister Ashok Panda said: "We have deputed our officials to ensure that these elderly people don't face any problem during the trip. They will also visit Dwarika."