New TTD Chairman to take oath tomorrow

TIRUPATI: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman designate Kanumuri Bapiraju on Wednesday assured to make efforts to facilitate a comfortable darshan for common devotees at the Tirumala temple.Set to take oath at the temple along with other newly appointed TTD trust members on September 2, Bapiraju was on his maiden visit to the district since his appointment by the state government.He drove straight from Tirupati airport to the Srikalhastheeswara temple and participated in Deeparadhana and Rudhrabhisekham sevas.Later, in a brief interaction with mediapersons outside the temple, he thanked the Congress party high command for his appointment.“My appointment was directed by Lord Siva and was blessed by Lord Venkateswara,” he said and assured to render his good service for the sake of pilgrims.“Using my past experience as the member of the TTD Board of Trustees and with the coordination of officials, I will strive to ensure good darshan of the Lord for common devotees,” he said.Bapiraju will attend his first TTD board meeting as chairman on September 3.From Srikalahasti temple, he went to Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple in Tiruchanoor and offered prayers.He was accompanied by Tirupati MP Chinta Mohan. Bapiraju will also offer prayers at the Sri Varasiddi Vinayaka temple in Kanipakam on Wednesday night and participate in the Vinayaka Chavithi festival at the temple on Thursday