Fri May 16 13:26:01 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Haj Pilgrimage Begins from Kochi, Kerala with Flights Carrying Hundreds**
**KOCHI, May 16, 2025** – The annual Haj pilgrimage season commenced from Kochi today, with two flights departing from Kochi airport under the supervision of the State Haj Committee. Union Minister George Kurian officiated the departure of the first flight, which carried 143 women and 146 men. A second flight with 140 women and 146 men also departed today. The pilgrims, who arrived at the airport on Thursday, were greeted with a reception by airport authorities.
According to a release, an all-women flight is scheduled to depart from Kochi airport at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025. In addition to Kochi, two flights also departed from Kozhikode today, carrying more pilgrims for the Haj.
The Hindu
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