Latest news with #British-imposed
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
TTD embarks on monumental digitisation project
Tirupati: In a bold step to safeguard its centuries-old legacy, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has embarked on one of its most ambitious projects yet – the digitisation of fragile archival records that trace the evolution of temple governance over nearly two centuries. Recognising the risk of losing invaluable historical documents to age and decay, TTD has already scanned over 2.20 crore pages, far exceeding its original goal of 1.60 crore. The project, which began in August 2023, is being executed in partnership with Andhra Pradesh Technology Services and Hyderabad-based Iron Mountain India Pvt. Ltd. The archival treasure trove includes administrative records from as early as 1843 — spanning eras from local kings and Arcot Nawabs to colonial administrators of the East India Company and the British Raj. The initiative involves scanning, preservation, and microfilming to ensure both long-term storage and ease of access for scholars and administrators. With new records continually surfacing, TTD recently sanctioned an additional Rs.3 crore to accelerate the effort, underlining the scale and urgency of the task. Much of the temple's early operations were recorded only in physical form – from Mahant-led management to the British-imposed Devasthanam Committee structure in 1933, and later, the formation of the modern TTD trust post-independence. Parallel to its archival mission, TTD is also undergoing a digital transformation to meet the growing demands of tech-savvy pilgrims. Services such as darshan booking, sevas, accommodation, and prasadam delivery are being revamped online. To support this, officials have proposed upgrading the Deputy General Manager (IT) role to General Manager, with an additional GM post in the works to handle the increased digital load. It was learnt that the TTD has already written to the state government for its approval for the second IT GM post. Since its first computerisation move in 1989 and the establishment of its IT wing in 2002, TTD has developed over 108 software systems supporting its temple network, hospitals, and public information centres. Now, with a dual focus on heritage preservation and digital innovation, TTD is bridging its ancient past with a tech-forward future.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress leaders pay tributes to Salt Satyagraha martyrs in Vedaranyam
To mark the 95th anniversary of Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha, Congress leaders, party workers, and social activists paid homage to freedom fighters by symbolically collecting salt at the memorial pillar in Agasthiyampalli on Wednesday. The Salt Satyagraha at Vedaranyam, led by C. Rajagopalachari on April 30, 1930, was a defining moment in India's struggle for independence against the British-imposed salt tax. Freedom fighter Sardar Vedarathnam of Nagapattinam played a key role in the success of the movement. The anniversary is commemorated every year on April 30 by reenacting the act of collecting salt as a tribute to those who took part in the civil disobedience campaign. As part of the observance, the Salt Satyagraha Memorial Rally, led by Sakthi Selvaganapathy which began on Rajaji Memorial Hall in Tiruchi, culminated in Vedaranyam on April 28. The marchers observed a day-long fast and assembled at the Salt Satyagraha Memorial Building in Vedaranyam on Tuesday for the commemorative event. This year's remembrance event was presided over by former MP P.V. Rajendran at the Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Agasthiyampalli. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai, former Union Minister K.V. Thangkabalu, Mayiladuthurai MP R. Sudha, and A. Vedarathnam, trustee of the Kasturba Gandhi Kanya Gurukulam, addressed the gathering. Earlier in the day, participants took out a padayatra from the Salt Satyagraha memorial on North Street to the commemorative pillar at Agasthiyampalli. Mr. Selvaperunthagai, while speaking to reporters, said that the Salt Satyagraha was a turning point in India's freedom movement and stressed the vital role of Muslims in securing independence.
