Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched the ‘Srivari Vaidya Seva’ programme on a pilot basis across its hospitals, aiming to bring medical professionals from around the world to serve devotees. A specially designed IT application for the initiative was unveiled by TTD Executive Officer M Ravichandra.
Addressing a gathering, Ravichandra said the programme has been introduced following directives from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to make specialised medical services accessible to pilgrims. He noted that the initiative would initially be implemented on a pilot basis and refined further based on feedback from participating doctors.
Under the programme, super-speciality doctors can volunteer for three days, while MBBS doctors can serve for seven days. The TTD will provide accommodation and food facilities for the doctors in Tirumala and Tirupati. Participating doctors will offer services at TTD-run institutions, including Ashwini Hospital in Tirumala, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD), the Ayurveda Hospital, and Sri Padmavathi Children’s Hospital. Doctors belonging to the Hindu faith can enroll in the programme by booking slots through the TTD website.
Several eminent doctors, including Venkatachalam of Hyderabad Eye Hospital, RA Sastry of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad, Rajendra Prasad of Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, and Purushotham of ESI Hospital, Bengaluru, participated virtually in the launch and expressed their willingness to contribute their services, describing it as a blessing from Lord Venkateswara. Senior officials, including Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary, Joint Executive Officers Sarath and Veerabrahmam, and directors of BIRRD and SVIMS, G Jagadeesh and RV Kumar, were also present.
In a separate development, the TTD has extended the time limit for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to avail darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy via the Supatham route from 30 days to 90 days. Previously, NRIs were required to visit within 30 days of returning to India, which had posed difficulties for many devotees. Under the revised system, NRIs can obtain a Special Entry Darshan ticket worth Rs 300 upon verification of their original passport and submission of photocopies.
The temple body also noted that the ‘Sri Venkateswara Apanna Hrudaya’ scheme is receiving a strong response. Under the scheme, devotees donating Rs 1 lakh to the Apanna Hrudaya Trust are eligible for VIP Break Darshan for up to five individuals. To avail the facility, donors must contribute a day in advance at the Donor Cell and pay Rs 500 per person for the darshan ticket. The darshan is scheduled for 4 pm the following day, with a dedicated counter established to facilitate the process.
The initiatives reflect TTD’s ongoing efforts to enhance both healthcare services for pilgrims and the overall darshan experience at Tirumala.
Also read: Record devotee footfall at Tirumala in May
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