Latest news with #BRNaidu


Hans India
13 hours ago
- Health
- Hans India
TTD moves to cut surgery wait time at BIRRD hospital
Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has intensified efforts to reduce the waiting time for surgeries at the renowned hospital 'Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD)' in Tirupati. TTD chairman BR Naidu, along with Executive Officer J Syamala Rao, conducted a detailed review of various administrative aspects of BIRRD on Wednesday. On this occasion, Naidu remarked that BIRRD had earned a global reputation over the years but had seen a decline in performance in recent times. He called for concerted efforts to bring the hospital back to its past prominence. He emphasised that priority should be given to providing quality medical services to farmers and the economically weaker sections from rural areas. To reduce the waiting period for surgeries, particularly for joint replacements, the chairman stressed the need to enhance infrastructure and ensure the availability of essential resources including specialist doctors, support staff, medicines, and surgical equipment. Naidu also suggested that the imported equipment used in procedures such as knee replacements should be of high quality and procured at prices aligned with Indian market standards. Executive officer Syamala Rao said that just as the 'Aapanna Hrudaya Scheme' has enabled donors to support paediatric heart surgeries at Sri Padmavathi Children's Heart Centre, a similar initiative should be explored at BIRRD. He directed the JEO, financial advisor and chief accounts officer, and the BIRRD director to jointly prepare a report on mobilising donor contributions to support surgeries for the underprivileged. He also underscored the importance of making the hospital accessible to all and advised that advanced medical equipment be procured in line with regulatory norms. BIRRD director Dr G Jagadeesh explained that while surgeries for differently-abled children are being performed promptly, joint replacement procedures currently involve a waiting period of nearly one year. He gave a comprehensive presentation outlining the initiatives and progress made by the hospital since its inception. TTD Board Members Nannapaneni Sadasiva Rao, T Janaki Devi, Dr Adit Desai, JEO V Veerabrahmam, FA & CAO O Balaji, and other officials took part in the meeting.


New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
TTD plans to build lounges across Tirumala
VIJAYAWADA: To address the growing influx of devotees at Tirumala, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board resolved to form an expert committee to assess the feasibility of constructing Vaikuntham Queue Complex-3 to streamline crowd management. Plans are also underway to establish well-equipped rest centres (lounges) across Tirumala for enhanced devotee comfort. This innovative lounge initiative will cater to a diverse range of pilgrims, including VVIPs and VIPs, as well as those with free tokens and Rs 300 Sheeghra Darshan tickets, with a special focus on meeting the immediate needs of Srivani Donor Darshan ticket holders. The TTD has also noted a growing demand for such facilities among VVIPs, prompting the board to develop detailed plans, and identify suitable locations. Additionally, a master plan and detailed project report (DPR) will be developed to further enhance the Shila Thoranam and Chakratheertham areas in Tirumala. TTD allocates Rs 4.35 cr for Annaprasadam at Vontimitta temple The Board has allocated Rs 4.35 crore to ensure a continuous supply of Annaprasadam (free meals) for devotees at the Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in Vontimitta, a significant step to enhance devotee welfare. Disclosing it during a media briefing alongside Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao after a key meeting at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala on Tuesday, TTD chairman BR Naidu explained that infrastructure upgrades, including improved lighting, security, and a spiritually enriching ambiance, will be implemented along the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu pedestrian pathways.


Hans India
a day ago
- Science
- Hans India
Food quality testing lab inaugurated at Tirumala
Tirumala: The newly-established food quality testing laboratory at Tirumala was inaugurated on Tuesday by TTD Chairman B R Naidu along with EO J Syamala Rao. Speaking on the occasion, the TTD Chairman said that earlier, samples had to be sent to other States to test the quality of items like prasadams and ghee. But now a lab has been set up at Tirumala itself with state-of-the-art equipment to conduct tests directly. TTD EO Syamala Rao said that till now there was no facility to test the quality of ghee at Tirumala, and now for the first time, equipment like GC (Gas Chromatograph) and HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph) have been installed, which have the ability to instantly analyse the adulteration and quality percentage of ghee. He said that the equipment worth Rs 75 lakh was donated by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) of Gujarat. Adding further he said that the lab staff and potu workers have undergone special training at CFTRI in Mysore and henceforth arrangements have been made to check the quality of the prasadams in this lab and provide the results immediately. TTD Board members Santha Ram, Sadasiva Rao, Naresh, Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and CE Satya Narayana, Deputy EOs Bhaskar, Somannarayana and other officials participated in the programme.


Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
TTD to expedite AI tech adoption for faster darshan
Tirumala: The Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, at its meeting held in Tirumala on Tuesday, decided to expedite the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve the management of pilgrim flow and reduce waiting times for darshan at the Tirumala temple. The meeting, chaired by TTD Chairman B R Naidu, was attended by Executive Officer J Syamala Rao, Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, JEO V Veerabrahmam, and other board members. Naidu stated that two reputed firms are currently engaged in resolving procedural challenges to facilitate the implementation of AI-based systems. He affirmed the board's commitment to deploying AI solutions aimed at improving pilgrim convenience, particularly during peak seasons. The system will incorporate real-time monitoring and predictive analytics for better crowd management. As part of a broader infrastructure initiative, the board also approved preliminary steps to construct a third Vaikuntam Queue Complex (VQC-III) to ease the burden on the existing complexes. A dedicated committee with consultancy support will be constituted to identify a suitable site and prepare a detailed project report. The board further discussed establishing lounges with all essential amenities at different locations in Tirumala to offer relief to devotees during long waiting periods. The board sanctioned Rs 4.35 crore to provide uninterrupted free meals (annaprasadam) at the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple. It also approved improvements to infrastructure, lighting, security, and spiritual ambiance along the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpaths to enhance the experience of pilgrims trekking to Tirumala. To tackle the growing risk of cyber frauds, the board gave its approval for setting up a cyber security lab. In the Kalyanakatta tonsure facility, TTD plans to consult experts to upgrade hygiene, safety, and amenities. Additionally, a master plan and detailed project report will be prepared to improve the Silathoranam and Chakra Theertham areas in Tirumala. Following Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's directions, the board reviewed an expert panel report on constructing Srivari temples in various countries. A sub-committee will be formed to assess the report and recommend the next course of action. The TTD board also approved the hiring of four volunteer service coordinators on a contract basis and granted permission to build a new integrated administrative complex in Tirumala to streamline departmental operations. As per recommendations by IIT experts, six old and dilapidated buildings in the HVC area—including Balaji Visranti Gruham, Ampro Guest House, Annapurna Canteen, and Kalyani Satralu—will be demolished and redeveloped. Under the Srivani Trust, the board introduced a tiered funding model of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 15 lakh, and Rs 20 lakh for temples and bhajan mandirs in SC, ST, and backward areas, replacing the earlier flat Rs 10 lakh grant system. A comprehensive development plan will also be prepared for Tallapaka, the birthplace of saint-poet Annamayya, to undertake various improvement works. Additionally, Rs 79.82 lakh was sanctioned to supply 320 newly constructed temples under the Samarasata Seva Foundation with free microphone sets. As part of Vedic tradition preservation, Rs 2.16 crore was allocated to provide unemployment stipends for jobless Veda Parayanadars through the Endowments Department. In line with a directive from the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the board approved the regularisation of 142 contract drivers and resolved to forward the proposal to the government for final approval.


Hans India
2 days ago
- General
- Hans India
HDPP lines up a slew of religious programmes
Tirumala: TTD Trust Board chairman B R Naidu along with the EO J Syamala Rao released the calendar of events by Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP) wing of TTD on Tuesday. The release event to place at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala after the board meeting. The chairman said so many dharmic activities which were shelved in the past have been revived with a range of innovative spiritual programmes. The HDPP will be organising Sadgamaya aimed at inculcating ethical values among children which commences on July 28. Other programmes include Sowbhagyam on August 8 on the auspicious occasion of Varalakshmi Vratam. Sanmargam involving free distribution of devotional books among prison inmates will be conducted on August 15 while Harikatha Vaibhavam aimed at imparting training in Harikatha on August 31. Mana Varasatvam and Akshara Govind will be observed on October 2, a one day spiritual programme that focuses on youth-the sacred Bhagavt Gita Anusthanam on December 1, traditional Bhajana training programme for Children, Bhaje Srinivasam during summer vacation next year. The HDPP has also mulled a programme to protect the environment by name Vananidhi and Srinivasa Kalyanams in tribal areas under the name Giri Janardhanam. TTD additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and other board members were also present.