Vodafone Mobile Buses to offer free calling facility, mobile charging points, recharge vouchers, M-Pesa money transfer service to Warkaris

Pune, June 28, 2016:Vodafone India, one of India’s leading telecom service providers, today flagged off its ritual Ashadh initiative, with four ‘Vodafone Mobile Buses’ joining lakhs of pilgrims on their annual padayatra toPandharpur. As has been the practice for the past two years, these ‘Vodafone Mobile Buses’ will travel with the Warkaris all through their journey from Pune to Pandharpur. Two buses each will accompany the Warkaris on the Palkhi routesof TukaramMaharaj and DnyaneshwarMaharaj.

The ‘Vodafone Mobile Buses’are equipped with free calling facility, mobile phone charging points, recharge vouchers and M-Pesa money transfer serviceto help the Warkarisstayin touch with their loved ones throughout the duration of their journey. The Warkaris will be able to make use of the facilities at all halting points of the Palkhion the way to Pandharpur. Each bus is equipped with 8 phones and over 100 charging points for the convenience of Warkaris. Since its association with the PandharpurYatra in 2013, Vodafone has assistedlakhs of people with free calls through the ‘Vodafone Mobile Buses’initiative.

The ‘Vodafone Mobile Buses’ were flagged off at the hands of the trustees of Tukaram Maharaj and Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhis in presence of Ashish Chandra, Business Head, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, Vodafone India.

Speaking about the initiative Ashish Chandra said, “Vodafone is proud to associate with the Pandharpur Yatra for the fourth year in a row. The annual yatra is a one-of-its-kind pilgrimage that brings almost all of Maharashtra together, with lakhs of devotes from different towns in the state joining in the 450kms journey by foot. Vodafone is extremely happy to support the Pandharpur Yatra with our ‘Vodafone Mobile Buses’ initiative that keeps the Warkaris constantly connected with their loved ones. All through the 21 day long arduous trek, the Warkaris have strength in knowing that Vodafone’s seamless, uninterrupted and reliable networkis on hand to ensure they are always in touch.Going forward, we look forward to continuingour endeavour to enhance the spiritual experience of the Warkaris.”