Scheme for voluntary service by devotees at Tirumala under study

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 22. A scheme for rendering voluntary service by devotees visiting Tirumala, abode of Lord Venkateswara, is being actively considered for introduction by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

It will be developed on the lines of the `Srivari Seva' concept introduced during the annual Brahmotsavams when pilgrims lend a helping hand to the TTD staff in crowd management and other tasks.

Mr. P. Krishnaiah, TTD Executive Officer, told presspersons on return from the Brahma Kumaris' headquarters at Mount Abu in Rajasthan here on Thursday that devotees would be motivated to render service in the Annadanam complex, kalyana katta and in information booths. After ten days of service, they would be rewarded with a full day's posting inside the temple in addition to being provided with free food and accommodation at Tirumala.

This concept is based on the highly motivated team of volunteers built by institutions like Satya Sai Seva Trust and Brahma Kumaris where self-discipline rather than regulation from outside keeps things going. Devotees must blend their anxiety for the Lord's darshan with a spirit of service, Mr. Krishnaiah added.

He said TTD was already drawing 100 boys and girls daily from its colleges, which have a strength of 12,000 students, to render service at Tirumala. Besides laying the foundation for a volunteer force, this would help in character building among students.

Mr. Krishnaiah also disclosed that the TTD was planning an institute to train its 14,000 workforce to inculcate in them a value system and sense of discipline so that they gave better service to the devotees. The first batch of trainers would be trained in April, he added.

Another proposal on the anvil was to encourage meditation of Lord Venkateswara on the hilltop. The `asthana mandapam' with a 3,000- strong capacity was available at Tirumala for this purpose. This activity would be the TTD's own initiative in which no religious cult would be involved. It would be strictly in accordance with the practices laid down in the `agama sastras'.

The TTD EO said the Brahma Kumaris' art museum at Mount Abu and the meditation assisted by a laser show could be improvised and introduced at Tirumala for the benefit of Lord Venkateswara's devotees.

He said the world's largest solar cooking system at Mount Abu could be replicated for providing hot water in the numerous choultries at Tirumala. It would go a long way in cutting TTD's monthly power bill of Rs. 1.3 crores, he added.

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