BHUBANESWAR: As many as 1,024 senior citizens left for a pilgrimage to Ajmer and Pushkar in Rajasthan on a special train on Thursday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the train at Bhubaneswar railway station. The State Government has made special arrangements for the senior citizens under Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatri Yojana. The pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens was launched last year to financially support the elderly on their holy trips across India. Odisha Tourism Development Corporation has signed an agreement with IRCTC for successful implementation of the scheme. The first pilgrimage train was flagged off on July 25, last year when more than 1000 elderly people had toured religious sites in Rameswaram, Madurai, Baranasi and Haridwar. Before flagging off the special train, Naveen entered a coach, sat and had a chat with the pilgrims inquiring about their well-being. Senior citizens from different districts are undertaking the journey.