35 Hyderabad Pilgrims, Ex-DRDO Chief Safe In Tibet
The group, which travelled through the M.S. Ramarao Memorial Trust, included trust chairman Srinivas and Dr Reddy, adviser to the Andhra Pradesh government, along with members of their families. They left Hyderabad on August 18 and were scheduled to return by August 29. Vishala, Srinivas’s wife, said all 35 pilgrims had completed the Kailash Parikrama safely
Hyderabad, Nellore: Thirty-five pilgrims from Hyderabad, including DRDO former chairman Dr G. Satheesh Reddy and his family, were safe in Tibet after successfully completing the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, though their return journey had been disrupted by the devastating floods in Nepal.
Dr Reddy confirmed to Deccan Chronicle that the group had begun its return journey. “We are safe here in Tibet. Completed our Kailash Manasarovar Yatra successfully. We started our return journey and reached Saga in Tibet. Working out an alternate route. Thank you for the concern shown,” Dr Reddy told Deccan Chronicle. He also clarified that the group had crossed the flood-affected area in Nepal the previous day before proceeding towards Tibet.
The group, which travelled through the M.S. Ramarao Memorial Trust, included trust chairman Srinivas and Dr Reddy, adviser to the Andhra Pradesh government, along with members of their families. They left Hyderabad on August 18 and were scheduled to return by August 29. Vishala, Srinivas’s wife, said all 35 pilgrims had completed the Kailash Parikrama safely.
Dr Reddy, in a post on X, said he and his wife had successfully completed the pilgrimage. “I am deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the flash floods. I pray to the Almighty that everyone caught up in floods may return safely, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he said. He also praised the Government of India’s rescue and relief efforts, describing them as swift and commendable.
The group learnt about the flooding after completing the pilgrimage. Their original return route has been affected, forcing them to explore an alternative route through Nepal or China, depending on the permits granted by the authorities. Vishala said Srinivas was in regular contact with the pilgrims and their families. Families in Hyderabad were also being updated through messages about the group’s safety and movements.
In a video released by the pilgrims, they said they were safe and doing well after completing the Kailash Parikrama. They said they had moved towards Saga in Tibet as part of their return journey. Vishala said the trust was coordinating with the government and other authorities to work out a safe route for the pilgrims to return to Hyderabad. The return journey could take another two to three days, depending on the route and permissions.
She said the trust normally organises the Manas Sarovar Yatra once a year, with two or three batches of pilgrims. It also conducts Ramayana-related tours, including trips to Sri Lanka. Vishala assured the families of all 35 pilgrims that they were safe and that efforts were under way to bring them back home safely.
