Aizawl, Feb 16 : Fifteen senior citizens from remote places of Mizoram will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit some important historical places in India, thanks to the country's oldest para-military force.
''I am really excited. This will be the first time in my life that I am travelling out of the state of Mizoram,'' exclaimed 70-year-old Dorema, who is part of an Assam Rifles-sponsored national integration tour.
The touring members, flagged off by state tourism minister S Hiato from the Assam Rifles Ground here today, included four from Serchhip district and from Lunglei districts each and three each from Champhai and Aizawl districts.
''The 18-day tour will include visits to important historical places at Delhi, Jodhpur and Agra. They will also be given the opportunity to call on President Pratibha Patil, a source from the 4 Assam Rifles, which organised the tour,'' said.
Another touring member remarked, ''I have often been told of the splendor and magnificence of the Taj Mahal, which I have also seen it from pictures. Now, I am about to see it with my own eyes.'' The minister, at the flagging-off ceremony, said he hoped that the tour would promote an atmosphere of brotherhood and unity among people of different states.
He commended the Assam Rifles' efforts in organising such tours and many other social services under its civic action programme for the people of Mizoram.
The Assam Rifles had organised several tours for Mizo students in the year 2008, 2009 and 2010. Most of the touring members were drawn from remote areas and backward families who could not afford such expensive tour on their own.
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