Classical music festival comes to a grand close in Tirupati
CPI(M) urges CM to act against illegal occupation of tribal lands in Tirupati district
The party State secretary alleges that influential groups have encroached upon 700 acres of land allotted to tribal families in the RayalacheruvuGandipeta region and calls for an inquiry into official collusion and forest land violations
Mukesh Ambani Visits Tirupati & Guruvayur Temples, Announces State-Of-The-Art Kitchen At Tirumala
The kitchen, which will be dedicated to Sri Venkateswara Anna Prasadam Trust, will have advanced automation and a capacity to prepare and serve over 2,00,000 sanctified meals daily
Mukesh Ambani announces modern kitchen at Tirumala to serve 2 lakh meals daily
Hyderabad: Mukesh Ambani, on Sunday, November 9, announced that Reliance Industries would build a state-of-the-art kitchen at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. The modern kitchen, built in collaboration with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and the state government, is dedicated to the Sri Venkateswara Anna Prasadam Trust. VIDEO | Tirumala: Reliance Group Chairman Mukesh Ambani offers prayers at Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Woman kills mother-in-law in Vizag
Conference on responsible innovations, sustainability practices concludes at IIM-V
APSPDCL restores power supply in Tirupatis Oluru Rayala Cheruvu area
VMRDA efforts to set up East Coast Habitat Centre gets a boost
VMRDA team visits India Habitat Centre in New Delhi and explores the centres know-how to adopt it for ECHC-V on 8.82 acres at Madhurawada in the city
APSRTC integrates with Google Maps to facilitate bus ticket-booking
Currently the Corporation authorities have piloted this for the Vijayawada-Hyderabad route and will expand to more routes
170 kg of ganja seized in ASR, Anakapalli districts
In the Alluri Sitarama Raju district, the police identified the accused as the native of Tamil Nadu
Three dead in two road accidents in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli
In the first incident, a man died on the spot while pillion rider, a woman, escaped with minor injuries after their electrical scooter hit by a lorry on the main road near Maddilapalem
Electric Power Demand In Tirupati Rising With Rapid Urban Expansion
Energy use is steadily rising across residential, commercial and industrial sectors. A report titled Energy Efficiency Considerations in Zoning Regulations of a City A Study of Tirupati, led by Dr. Janmejoy Gupta underlines the need to integrate energy considerations in urban planning.
The Hindu Group launches Business Line campus connect programme in Visakhapatnam
KGH says patients death not linked to power outage, refutes YSRCPs allegations
Kurnool bus accident: V Kaveri bus owner arrested
During investigation, police found several violations in the design of the bus and also failure to adhere to basic safety guidelines by the bus management
Womens World Cup star Shree Charani meets Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu; felicitated
Following the teams historic victory, Indian cricketer Shree Charani and former Indian captain Mithali Raj visited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
Global MSME Export Development Convention 2025 in Visakhapatnam on November 9, 10
It is a part of the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet initiative of the Central Governments RAMP Scheme which is supported by the World Bank
Mandal education officer killed in road accident near Andhras Papikonda National Park
The police registered a case and the investigation is on
Power outage in KGH causes hardships to patients
According to hospital sources, the outage occurred due to a disturbance in electrical wiring during maintenance work near the critical care unit
Rayalacheruvu Bund Breach Floods Five Villages In Tirupati District
Hundreds of acres of paddy, chilli, tomato and other crops were destroyed as the tank, which had been full until Wednesday night, emptied by early morning. Farmers said they had earlier alerted officials about the deteriorating condition of the bund, but no preventive repairs were undertaken.
RINLs vigilance week concludes
Over the weekend, nearly 100 sessions will be held for children aged four to 16
From Vizag to Tirupati, a Football Caravan of Hope
Flagged off at Andhra University, the initiative saw over 160 young players participate in trials and awareness sessions on football careers, girls wellness, and financial literacy.
Gajuwaka dump yard stench prompts urgent action
Vizag city gets first Trupthi canteen at RK Beach
CII Summit in Vizag is countrys first-ever Zero-waste event: Swachh Andhra Corporation Chairman
Helen OGrady theatre troupe from Mumbai to reimagine classics at Vizag Junior Lit Fest
At the Vizag Junior Lit Fest, Helen OGrady theatre troupe from Mumbai will bring fresh interpretations of The Sound of Music and The Tempest for young audiences
Vizag Junior Lit Fest returns this weekend with top authors and storytellers
LitLanterns annual Vizag Junior Lit Fest will be held on November 8 and 9 with 50 sessions a day, outreach events and a line-up of leading writers and storytellers
TTD is collaborating with major technology firms, including giants like TCS, Jio, Amazon, and Google, to build customised tech platforms
Parakamani case probe: CID sets up temporary office in Tirupati
CID DGP Ravi Shankar Ayyanar appeals to the public to share information on the case by dialling 9440700921 or sending emails to adgcid@ap.gov.in
150 homestays approved in ASR district: Collector
Tourist hotspot Vanjangi Hill gets a facelift
35 lakh upgrades that are eco-friendly in Reserve Forest Zone for Vanjangi Hilltop Views
86 projects completed during undivided A.P. helped improve green cover in rural areas
Telangana leader Ponnala Lakshmaiah prays at Tirupati and Srikalahasti temples ahead of his book release
St. Josephs College celebrates graduation of over 200 students
Tirupati student bags bronze in Asian Schools Blitz Chess Championship
Botcha accuses government of inefficiency in handling cyclone Montha farm relief
CII's Young Indians Team Invites Lokesh for National Conference in Delhi
The delegation included Hari Krishna K, chapter chair, Yi Amaravati Chapter; Bala Krishna Chittineni, chapter co-chair, Yi Amaravati Chapter; Varsha V. Kasthuri, Chapter Chair, Yi Tirupati Chapter; and Nitin D, Chapter Co-chair, Yi Tirupati Chapter, along with other chapter members.
EESL to set up Indias largest geothermal energy technology pilot project in Andhra Pradesh
EESL will set up two installations in Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam as a part of it, according to an official release
Collector reviews CII summit arrangements
Officials directed to complete delegate registration process through the online portal by November 9; the Collector clarifies that spot registration will not be permitted
Collector reviews Kanaka Mahalakshmi temples fest plan
AP Transport Minister Announces Steps To Check Bus Accidents
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a newly built APSRTC dispensary at Alipiri in Tirupati on Monday, he said recurrent accidents involving private buses have led to serious safety concerns.
40th All India postal TT tourney from November 10
Curtain raiser for CREDAI expos held
AMC welcomes 250 new medicos at Freshers Day celebrations
Leopard Kills Pet Dog In Bhupal Colony At Tirupati
The animal attacked the dog before dawn and dragged it a short distance away: Residents
LIC Housing Finance sets 4,250-crore home loan target for Andhra Pradesh in FY 202526
Company achieves 1,628 crore in first half; MD Tribhuwan Adhikari says special focus on Andhra Pradesh with dedicated marketing head in Vijayawada as LIC HFL posts steady national growth in Q2
YSRCP student wing president among three held for possession of drugs in Vizag
Four killed, two injured in tragic road accident near Andhra Pradeshs Bapatla
According to police, a speeding car, while overtaking another vehicle, collided with a lorry that was coming in the opposite direction
REC sanctions 7,500 crore funding for Brookfields RE project in Andhra Pradesh
The project is being developed by Evren, a clean energy platform launched by Brookfield and Axis Energy as a joint venture
Man held for misbehaving with woman rider in Tirupati
Beautification drive on for Partnership Summit in Vizag
Collector Harendira Prasad has directed the officials concerned to make the parks and tourist spots more attractive
Unable to have darshan at Tirumala, Octogenarian builds temple in his village
Significance of Kasibugga's Venkateswara Temple: Chinna Tirupati's Sacred Legacy
The Kashibugga temple is revered as Chinna Tirupati (Little Tirupati), receiving a huge number of pilgrims on days such as Karthika Ekadashi. For those who cannot travel to the original temple, Kashibugga's Vekateswara Swamy Temple is a close second.
Protest erupts at private college in Visakhapatnam over students death
Students and parents allege harassment by lecturer drove 20-year-old Sai Teja to end his life; police register case and begin probe
Maya World opened to public in Visakhapatnam
Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas begins at Rushikonda
Collector Assures Authentic Reconstruction Of Hathiramji Mutt; Dismisses Rumours Of Demolition
Banjara devotees would be given top priority during the reconstruction process, with improved facilities for pilgrims and shopkeepers within the Mutt premises: Tirupati district collector Dr S. Venkateshwar
No Lessons Learnt from Tirupati Stampede in AP
The TDP government is not in a position to take care of the welfare of the devotees: YSRCP
Palasa stampede: Eyewitnesses recount the horrifying scenes
The crowd was huge and uncontrollable. I could barely spot a police and there was no private security arrangements either at all, recalls a devotee
4-Month-Old 'Mini Tirupati' Temple Had Same Entry-Exit: Lapses Exposed
According to sources in the Andhra Pradesh government, an 80-year-old man, Mukunda Panda, built the temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara on his land.
Why Andhra's Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Where 9 Died In Stampede, Is Called 'Tirupati Of The East'
The Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple is more than a place of worship; it reflects enduring faith, history and culture, showing how old traditions still shape beliefs
Minister Rammohan Naidu who is in Bhopal cancelled his official programmes to come back to Srikakulam district to console the families of deceased persons
With an overall investment commitment of 1.50 lakh crore, the AM/NS project is going to be Indias largest greenfield steel plant to date, according to an official release
Aviation growth story piggybacking on foreign travel: AAI report
NEW DELHI: The growing desire for international travel continues to fuel Indias aviation growth story. According to the latest data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the first half of the current financial year, foreign travel has surged by nearly 7% compared to the same period last year. The Air Traffic Report, made public on Wednesday, shows that 3.95 crore passengers travelled abroad from India between April and September 2025, up from 3.69 crore during the same period in 2024. Overall passenger traffic grew by 2.6%, with 20.21 crore people flying in the six-month period this year compared to 19.69 crore last year. Domestic air travel recorded a modest 1.6% increase, with 16.25 crore passengers this year versus 15.99 crore in the previous fiscal period. The total Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) arrivals plus departures rose by 2.8%, reaching 15.77 lakh in AprilSeptember 2025 compared to 15.35 lakh last year. Thanks to airlines regularly announcing new international routes, several relatively smaller airports such as Surat, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Jaipur, Varanasi, Mangaluru, Kannur, Bagdogra, Pune, Indore, and Udaipur have registered strong double-digit growth in international passenger traffic. Among them, Bagdogra and Coimbatore posted remarkable increases of 51% (13,492 flyers) and 50.5% (1,60,597 flyers), respectively, in AprilSeptember 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Among major airports, Bengaluru recorded an impressive 28.9% surge in international traffic, handling 34,58,308 passengers in the first half of the current financial year. Hyderabad showed substantial growth of 19%, while Mumbai registered a 5.6% increase. Delhi, however, saw a slight 0.5% decline. Domestic Travel Trends Sindhudurg Airport reported the highest growth in domestic passenger traffic, with an 84.1% increase and 21,936 flyers over the previous financial year. Other airports that recorded notable growth include Kishangarh (65.7%, 59,421 flyers), Darbhanga (64.3%, 3,86,174), Gorakhpur (57.5%, 5,62,596), Cuddapah (53.9%, 33,973), and Pithoragarh (56.5%, 8,215). Airports such as Tiruchirappalli (55.6%), Tirupati (42.9%), Jeypore (42.1%), Bilaspur (38.1%), Rajahmundry (33.7%), and Kurnool (22.9%) also posted impressive domestic growth figures. Among major airports, both Delhi and Mumbai reported negative growth in domestic travel. The closure of Terminal 2 at IGIA and changes in flight schedules significantly impacted Delhis numbers, which dropped by 5.8% to 2,64,91,445 passengers, compared to 2,81,07,645 last year. Mumbai saw a 0.8% dip, handling 1,91,02,987 passengers. Meanwhile, Hyderabad registered strong domestic growth of 11.3% with 1,26,64,800 flyers, while Chennai saw a 5.1% increase with 83,79,339 passengers.
Degree student ends life, kin allege harassment from lecturer
Former IAS Officer Lakshmikantham To Speak At UN Sustainable Health Summit In Bangkok
Ratchanamoorthy Ramu, chairman of the Sustainable Development Council, extended the invitation to Mr Lakshmikantham, a retired collector and former Joint Executive Officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
NCC cadets form Indias map to mark National Unity day in Tirupati
Cyclone Montha Causes 38.21 Crore Damage In Tirupati District
The total estimated damage across all sectors in the district stands at 38.21 crore: Reports
Red Cross Tirupati tops in state in CPR activity
Rain Causes Minor Damage in Chittoor, Tirupati
Heavy to moderate rainfall persisted for nearly 36 hours, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting traffic in interior villages
Heavy rains pound coastal mandals of Tirupati district
Gudur receives the highest rainfall of 63.6 mm by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by Chillakur (47), Kota (46.4), Ozili (45) and Vakadu (44)
580 units of blood donated as part of Police Commemoration Week in Tirupati
Cyclone Montha Impact: 43 Trains Cancelled Across East Coast Railway; Authorities On High Alert
The cancellations affect several major routes connecting key cities such as Visakhapatnam, Koraput, Kakinada, Guntur, Tirupati, Berhampur, Cuttack, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai
Andhra Pradesh High Court orders CID probe into alleged theft of offerings at Tirumala Temple
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a detailed probe into allegations of theft of offerings and foreign currency donations from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) temple. The bench observed that the case appeared to have been completely compromised during the initial investigation carried out by the [] The post Andhra Pradesh High Court orders CID probe into alleged theft of offerings at Tirumala Temple appeared first on India Legal .
All 32 flights operating from Vizag Airport cancelled due to Cyclone 'Montha'
Cyclone Montha wreaked havoc on travel plans throughout Andhra Pradesh, leading to significant disruptions. Visakhapatnam Airport grounded all 32 flights on Tuesday, while Vijayawada Airport faced 16 cancellations and Tirupati Airport saw four flights scrapped. With over 120 train services across the South Central Railway Zone also halted, authorities enacted measures to lessen the storm's impact.
Montha intensifies into Severe Cyclonic Storm; IMD issues red alert for coasts of Andhra, Odisha
Heavy to very heavy rains with isolated extremely heavy rainfall are likely in the districts of Tirupati, SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, Guntur, NTR, Palnadu and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati cadet bags silver in equestrian event
Andhra Pradesh High Court orders CID probe into theft of money offered to the Tirumala temple
The theft from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams coffers took place during the counting process (Parakamani) in 2023. Later, the issue was settled by those involved in the Lok Adalat, Tirupati
Tirupati-model administration required in Sabarimala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recent controversy over the missing gold at Sabarimala temple has revealed the systemic flaws in the functioning of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). While the board members change every two years, the absence of a top-level professional management is posing a challenge to efficient administration of temples and other institutions, said former chief secretary K Jayakumar, who served in various capacities with the board and Sabarimala. Pitching for a Tirupati-model administration at the hill shrine, Jayakumar pointed at the need to plug loopholes in the Sabarimala administration by minimising manual interventions. The senior bureaucrat, who led the high-powered committee for Sabarimala from 2012 to 17, said structural changes should be made in TDB for proper management of Sabarimala and other shrines. On the Tirupati model, a senior IAS officer should be posted at the boards helm, he told TNIE as part of Express Dialogues. Assigned by the state, Jayakumar had studied the functioning of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board. I submitted the report in 2012. Sabarimala and Tirupati are different in nature. Tirupati allows darshan throughout the year. Here, the temple is opened periodically and hence there are some peculiar problems. A full-fledged office of TTD is functioning at Tirumala, led by a senior officer. That machinery is well geared to meet any eventuality, he said. Jayakumar said TDB should replace the seasonal arrangements at Sabarimala with a permanent system. In his report, he had suggested opening permanent offices of TDB at Pampa and Pathanamthitta. P4
Missing gold controversy does not surprise me: Former CS K Jayakumar
Former Chief Secretary K Jayakumar probably has had the longest tenure in Sabarimala in different capacities, including as special commissioner and chairman of the HC-appointed high-powered committee. One of the key driving forces behind the tagline Kerala - Gods Own Country, he is a rare combination of poetry and bureaucracy. A multifaceted personality, he is a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning poet, versatile lyricist, accomplished administrator, and an acclaimed painter. In a free-wheeling conversation, Jayakumar tells TNIE that the Travancore Devaswom Board has structural problems and explains what needs to be done to protect the sanctity of the hill shrine. Excerpts You had a long tenure at Sabarimala in different capacities. Whats your take on the current controversy over the missing gold? My long tenure at Sabarimala has helped me understand the developmental trajectory and the structural weaknesses in its totality. The current controversy doesnt surprise me. There are structural problems in the (Travancore Devaswom) Board. As a functional entity, the board should be more professional. The staff needs training. The system has to improve and information technology should be applied. We can plug the loopholes in Sabarimala by minimising manual interventions. Sponsorship-related issues led to the recent controversy... Sponsorship is a good thing. But how we channelise sponsorships is important. Who should a prospective sponsor meet? Ideally, we should have a system under which terms and conditions are fixed, like the deliverables by the sponsor and the privileges hed get. TDBs dealing with sponsors is amorphous. Systems should be objective, with an officer in charge of sponsorships. Middlemen arise because TDB doesnt have such a system. Sabarimala can be managed well, if theres an objective and professional system in place. A lot of people would be ready to make contributions to Lord Ayyappa if the money is used well. What are the other administrative weaknesses you noticed at Sabarimala? The temple cannot be run like a government office, as it deals with customs and traditions. Devotees are often impulsive and emotional. We should have the machinery to handle all these. There should be dialogue with devotees, objectivity, and transparency. Theres definitely a need to modernise the boards administration. I hope this crisis will turn out to be an opportunity for modernisation. The board should become efficient through process re-engineering, inducting new people; the general administrative level should be raised. A core question is whether the state is required to administer temples The Travancore Maharaja was the administrator of all these temples. When the princely rule ended, all such temples except the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (in Thiruvananthapuram), was handed over to the government through a covenant. The covenant says the government shall not directly administer temples. Instead, a board representing the devotees was to be formed, which would hold authority over temple affairs. This covenant is still upheld in letter and spirit. The government isnt directly involved in temple administration; its role is limited to appointing board members. But there are campaigns claiming that the government siphoned off money from Sabarimala Theres a widespread misinformation campaign that money from TDB temples is spent for other things by the government. It is aimed at polarisation and to create confusion. Government does not take a single paisa from the board. Its impossible as well. The board cannot even withdraw its fixed deposits without court permission. Claims of fund diversion by the government are entirely baseless and malicious. Many conspiracy theories are being floated in that regard... They are mere conspiracies. In fact, the government provides financial support to Devaswoms. During my tenure, I introduced a dedicated budget head for the Sabarimala master plan and allocated Rs 10 crore. Beyond that, we neither take money from Sabarimala nor provide additional funds. Such a claim is entirely false. Even during the counting of offerings, strict protocols are followed to prevent any form of theft or misappropriation. The government does not take a penny from Sabarimala. Does TDB use revenue from Sabarimala to support other temples? Yes. A significant portion of the boards revenue comes from Sabarimala. Only a handful of other temples like Chettikulangara and Malayalapuzha generate enough income to sustain themselves. The salaries of Devaswom employees are largely funded by Sabarimala. There were discussions about creating a Sabarimala Trust, similar to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trust... Establishing an autonomous trust for the temple could severely impact TDBs financial stability. Any new administrative mechanism must be relevant and meaningful, with a distinct identity. It should offer functional autonomy while preserving the boards rights over the temples revenue. Running Sabarimala costs approximately Rs 100 crore annually. Appointing a senior officer and implementing a standardised framework could significantly improve the management of Sabarimala. Isnt it the Devaswom Boards responsibility to ensure the quality of products distributed from temples, like sandalwood paste? Absolutely. The board bears full responsibility. Temples are run using devotees money and its the boards duty to uphold their trust. They must ensure the sanctity and quality of offerings. Devotees should hold the board accountable. There are demands for greater government control over temple administration. Whats your view? I believe these demands are related to future development needs, which require coordination between departments like PWD and forest. To my knowledge, neither this government nor any previous government has sought direct control over temple administration. It wouldnt be possible anywayit would violate the covenant that governs temple management. The master plan sets a vision for 2040, which is ambitious and challenging. Executing it sustainably is even harder. Is the disappearance of goldunnoticed since 2019 and only surfacing in 2025a failure of the system? Yes, it reflects a systemic failure. Since its a matter under judicial review, I wont comment. What surprises me is how something as valuable as gold was taken out of the temple. It belongs to Lord Ayyappa. Why wasnt it repaired on-site? Both the court and temple manuals clearly state that no items belonging to Ayyappa should be removed from the premises. How effective is the audit system? Id prefer not to comment as its under scrutiny by multiple agencies. Can the public access information about temple assets? Each temple has a thiruvabharana commissioner responsible for ornaments and jewellery, which are stored in secure chambers. Whether these assets are audited or stock-verified regularly, I cant say. Thats what I refer to as systemic failure. There should be annual stock verification for such precious items. Some board members privately complain that excessive court interference curbs the boards autonomy... Autonomy doesnt mean sovereign power. Institutions are always bound by checks and balances. Theres no merit in that argument. Court monitoring provides necessary supervision it isnt judicial activism. The Hindu Religious Endowments Act, which came after the covenant, defines the courts role. It has the legal authority to audit temple assets, which is why it intervenes in places like Guruvayur. The courts are fulfilling their legal obligations. Judicial supervision is beneficialwithout it, things could deteriorate further. Whos responsible for the 2019 lapse? My question is: why was the item allowed to be removed from the site? Can the administrative office alone be held responsible? Nobody suddenly decides to take gold from Sabarimala. There must have been a conspiracy. How could it happen without the boards knowledge? I dont know. It wasnt robberyit was taken out as if it were legitimate. There must have been a process behind it. When intent is bad, consultation becomes conspiracy. When the board takes a decision, can a commissioner record his objections? The Act is a bit vague on this aspect. You have to empower the office of the executive officer, who is the trustee of the faith of crores of people. We have to elevate the office to a higher level. Elevating the system means bringing in professionalism. How transparent are the kanikka (hundi) offerings? It is transparent as it doesnt go to anyones pocket but is sent through a conveyor belt which nobody tampers with. It heads straight to the counting centre. A vigilance officer had said bundles of notes were taken to Thiruvananthapuram... (Dismissively) What all people say! These are many stories for which there is no evidence. The basis of your questions hints theres a dharmic flaw or a deterioration of values. The flaw in public and administrative morality that has affected other sectors has affected TDB too. We should focus on how we can check this systemically. Can the example of Tirupati be emulated in Sabarimala? Thats possible. But there are many problems. Mindsets and attitudes need to change. Tirumala has been a model for many years. Pilgrims comfort is taken care of; they are fed as guests of Lord Venkateswara. But in our temples, our annadanam has a take it or leave it attitude. It is a question of the attitude of Malayalis. The board alone cannot be blamed. But can we compare Sabarimala, a hill shrine located in the forest, to the Tirupati temple? Theres no comparison at all. Maintaining Sabarimala is a big issue. We should remove the defects using the master plan. Thats why we made Nilakkal a base camp. We have a huge parking complex and accommodation facilities there. Sabarimala has a unique character. Devotees climb uphill, facing hardship with devotion. There are attempts to convert it into more of a tourist centre It shouldnt be. Thats the challenge of implementing the master plan that envisages convenience to pilgrims and respect for the environment. Its a forest shrine and therein lies its power. We cant agree to anything that upsets the forests. If that happens, the very character of the shrine is lost. We should in fact plant trees to compensate for the deforestation that happened earlier. Theres a suggestion to keep Sabarimala temple open round the year. Is that practical? Its better not to interfere with customs and ritualistic practices. Recently, there was a plan to relocate bhasmakkulam. Is that part of the master plan? It has more to do with customs rather than the master plan. As per vastu shastra, ponds should be located on the north-east side. But here, its on the north-west side astrologically, not ideal. Many thantris have mentioned this. The shrine comes within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. What kind of construction is allowed in such a sensitive location? Within the 67 acres, we have some freedom to carry out construction, but we cannot cut trees. Will the offices of thantri and melsanthi be relocated? Yes, they have to be relocated. Its a shrine. There shouldnt be any residential area there. The same applies to the executive officers residence too. The master plan too suggests the removal of residential buildings around the shrine. Are we looking at aesthetics too? The high-powered committee has a role here. We should maintain architectural consistency and follow height regulations. The master plan covers zoning and architectural uniformity. I think around 25% of the master plan has been completed so far. Whats causing the delay? There may be delays due to resources. Sponsors havent done much to implement the master plan... they are willing to give money to Ayyappa but not to set up facilities for devotees. There are interested parties. If we handle this professionally, we will get donations. We need a professional toolkit to negotiate with sponsors. There should be a clear procedure to select sponsors. Will these controversies affect the trust of sponsors? We have to wait and see. What kind of system would you suggest to handle sponsorship? A manual for sponsorship is required to remove middlemen and to ensure transparency, thereby allowing those who have money to come forward. We should objectify the deliverables to the sponsor. Whats the system followed currently? Now, everythings done in an informal manner. Even the court insists that nothing be given formally and that everyone be treated alike. I think there should be no space for subjective interpretation. If I am a donor, I should be entitled to certain privileges. If the court doesnt permit it, we should try to convince the court. If we ensure transparency, therell be no issue. Whats your take on special darshan? Ayyappan doesnt encourage it. There are many temples which allow special darshan; I dont agree with it. Was it right to limit the virtual queue? I dont know much about it. The desirability of virtual queue should be revisited. There are certain cases where we have to give some privileges to people like senior citizens or VIPs. All these are currently done informally. Theres nothing wrong with including the donor too. I personally dont prefer any kind of discrimination before Ayyappan. A majority of Devaswom Board employees reportedly belong to a certain caste None of these are legal. Other than the normal reservation criteria in government, Devaswom Boards dont have any additional reservation. According to law, only the reservation policy followed by the government is applicable. What about ooranma rights? Thats only in the Malabar Devaswom Board. It is very limited in Travancore Devaswom Board. Koodalmanikyam also falls under the Malabar Devaswom Board, where the karayma people have certain rights. But these arent legally tenable once a board is formed. We have to convince them that if there is a law in the land, it is applicable to all. You were one of the most popular collectors in Kozhikode. People still talk about your tenure there Becoming a district collector is an opportunity, as you have more freedom. I had a bit more freedom at the time, as the collector was in charge of the corporation too. I got a go-ahead from the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran. I did things which I felt Kozhikode needed. It was a time when Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, Thikkodiyan and M T Vasudevan Nair were active. The friendship and support they extended were a great endorsement of the sincerity of purpose. Speaking of MT, the lyrics of the song Chandanalepa Sugandham were asked to be rewritten multiple times... It took many days. I see it as a sign of MTs care for me, as he wanted me to write the best lyrics possible. MT is a perfectionist. From MT, I understood a great artists sense of benchmark. He would always say, You can do better. You were instrumental in starting IFFK, and also played a key role in branding Kerala as Gods Own Country When we thought about organising the film festival, the KSFDC didnt have money. But we managed to get sponsorship, and the first film festival was held in Kozhikode. Later, the government took it up in the third year through the film academy. It was P A Sreenivasan who brought me into tourism. I wanted Kerala to make an impact and thought of bringing a splashy advertisement campaign. Im happy that I was actively involved in coining the tagline Gods Own Country. Your father (M Krishnan Nair) was a filmmaker who directed three chief ministers MGR, NTR and Jayalalithaa. But its said he didnt want you to enter cinema My father never saw cinema as a bad thing. Many youngsters then used to come into the world of glamour like fireflies and fade away. He didnt want his children to end up like that. My father said he wasnt banning me from films, but was asking me not to hamper my education. After I joined IAS, I started writing songs. He encouraged me. He directed three chief ministers. He was a humble man and never realised the magnitude of that achievement. In which songs did the visualisation do justice to your lyrics? I think a majority of the songs did not do justice to the lyrics. The song Sooryaamshuvoro Vayalpoovilum was portrayed in a relatively better manner... the euphoria has been captured in the shots. Youve also directed a movie... Yes, Varnachirakukal. If I make a movie, it will have a social bearing. If the right kind of producer comes around, I might make a movie. I am not bothered about age. (Laughs). Have you ever fallen into political red-tapism, given the scope for clashes between politicians and bureaucrats? Theres no need for it. Do what is right. Some people may not like what you do because your right may be somebodys wrong. Recently, you spoke against the tendency of one-size-fits-all being imposed upon us... Yes. I recently wrote a poem against this. If we cry, all of us are to cry the same way: one nation - one cry, one nation - one laughter. I may not be an activist. But if somebody has the patience to dwell on my poetry, itll prove rewarding. Youve donned many roles and had an illustrious career. Which one do you cherish the most? I am essentially a poet (smiles). Do you see yourself as a bureaucrat who is a poet or a poet who is a bureaucrat? That is a big predicament I face. Poetry is your very being. I have written film songs and have held high-profile bureaucratic positions, but the stamp of IAS poet is more or less a permanent fixture on me. I dont mind. I am someone who was a poet even before I became an IAS officer.
AP LAWCET result 2025 released at lawcet-sche.aptonline.in: Direct link to download
Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), Tirupati, released the AP LAWCET 2025 seat allotment results, enabling candidates of AP LAWCET and PG LAWCET counselling to check their allotment via the official portal. Self-reporting is scheduled from October 27 to 29, 2025, with classes starting on October 27. Candidates must complete certificate verification to secure admission.
Heavy Rains Forecast For Next Five Days In Tirupati District
The collector cautioned residents in low-lying and flood-prone localities to stay alert and avoid venturing out unless necessary. Parents have been advised to ensure that children do not play near drains, streams, or waterlogged areas during the rains.
TMC Approves Greater Tirupati Expansion
A meeting of the civic body held on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to this effect.
Tirupati Man Arrested in California for Domestic Violence
Police say Jeswanth Manikonda violated a protection order
7 Boys Go For A Swim In Andhra River, 4 Swept Away By Surging Currents
Tragedy struck Vedanthapuram village near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Friday evening when four boys were swept away by the surging currents of the Swarnamukhi river while swimming.
Four boys washed away in Swarnamukhi River in Tirupati, one body retrieved
Restoration of the Padalamandapam in Alipiri in Tirupati set to begin in November
Kurnool bus fire: Andhra Pradesh Congress president Y.S. Sharmila demands high-level enquiry
Y.S. Sharmila urged the government to extend all possible support to the families of the deceased
Pawan Kalyan sanctions 6 crore for road connectivity to Vadapalli Venkateswara Temple
The seven-kilometre-long road will be laid along the bank of river Godavari
Kurnool bus fire: Police say petrol leak, friction sparks possibly led to flames
Many passengers were forced to break windows and exit through the emergency exit, while some passengers were trapped and charred to death
