Kindness on the Wheels : Shiv Sewak Samiti’s free ride service eases Baltal trek for pilgrims

Baltal, July 12: As the sacred Amarnath Yatra unfolds across the challenging routes of Baltal and Pahalgam, the Shiv Sewak Samiti from Kanpur has once again emerged as a beacon of selfless service—providing free E-rickshaw rides to weary and vulnerable pilgrims for the fourth consecutive year.Operating along the demanding Baltal–Domail stretch, the initiative has become a lifeline for elderly, differently-abled, and exhausted devotees, who often struggle with the rugged Himalayan terrain. “I was barely able to walk, and then this E-rickshaw arrived like Baba’s own chariot,” said Leela Devi, a 68-year-old pilgrim from Rajasthan. “May the volunteers be forever blessed,” added Ajay Kumar, a yatri from Delhi. “This service is a godsend for people like me with weak knees.”Led by Ratnesh Verma, affectionately known as Sheelu, the Samiti also runs a free community kitchen (langar) in the area. “If we can ease the burden of even one pilgrim, it is seva worth doing,” Verma said. The E-rickshaws run from dawn till dusk, maintained with care to ensure safety, cleanliness, and environmental responsibility. Their silent operation not only reduces physical strain on yatris but also helps limit vehicular pollution in the eco-sensitive Himalayan belt.Fellow service groups and langar organisers have commended the Samiti for its consistent dedication and impact. What began as a small act of kindness has now become a defining feature of the Baltal route. “This is the real spirit of the Yatra—faith, service and humanity,” said a langar organiser.Poonam Batra, a pilgrim from Delhi said that she brought her elderly father for the yatra. “I was worried about how he would manage. This rickshaw seva gave us both so much relief. May the volunteers be blessed,” she beamed.The volunteers running the service believe it is more than a duty—it’s devotion. “We begin our day with aarti and serve till the last pilgrim feels settled. It is our way of doing ‘Bhagwan ki seva through manav seva’,” said another organiser.  With long queues, fatigue and medical emergencies a part of every major yatra, such community-driven efforts provide a safety net of care that goes beyond what official arrangements alone can offer.  As pilgrims continue their ascent to the holy cave, many carry with them not just offerings and chants—but a deep gratitude for the silent warriors of the Yatra, who, like the Shiv Sewak Samiti, make the sacred journey gentler for thousands.