metro india news  I hyderabad

Addressing the second edition of the International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX) 2025 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu unveiled his vision for a self-sustaining, technology-driven temple ecosystem. He emphasized the fusion of faith with modern governance, highlighting the role of temples in economic development, technological integration, and cultural preservation.

Calling ITCX the Maha Kumbh of Temples, CM Naidu underscored the impact of temple conventions on shaping discussions around administration, financial sustainability, and cultural conservation. He noted that the first ITCX conclave was held in Varanasi, making Tirupati a natural choice for the latest edition. With participation from 1,581 temples across multiple countries, 685 virtual attendees, 111 speakers, 15 workshops, and 60 stalls, ITCX 2025 marks a significant milestone in global temple collaboration.

The Chief Minister emphasized the evolving role of temples as economic and cultural hubs, estimating temple-related activities in India to be worth over ₹6 lakh crore. He fondly recalled the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao’s (NTR) launch of the Annadanam scheme in 1983-84, which has since grown to a corpus of Rs.2,000 crore at Sri Venkateswara Temple. Similarly, he highlighted the Pranadanam scheme, initiated in 2003 with a Rs.440 crore corpus, which continues to support life-saving medical efforts.

In a major announcement, CM Naidu revealed plans to establish Sri Venkateswara Temples in every state capital in India and across major international cities. This initiative, in collaboration with the TTD and ITCX, aims to unite devotees and promote India's spiritual heritage on a global scale.

The Chief Minister announced key reforms to bolster temple security and ensure self-sustaining temple management. These include expanding temple Trust Boards to include members from the Brahmin and Nayee Brahmin communities and forming a dedicated committee to oversee security measures. Additionally, a Temple Tourism Committee, comprising ministers from the Forest, Endowments, and Tourism departments, will be set up to promote religious tourism.

 Further, the Dharmika Parishad will be strengthened under the Endowments Act to enhance governance. Demonstrating his government’s commitment to temple preservation, Naidu revealed that Rs.134 crore from the Common Good Fund has been allocated for temple renovations in the past seven months.

 With 27,000 temples and an annual footfall of 21 crore pilgrims, Andhra Pradesh remains a spiritual powerhouse. CM Naidu announced measures to enhance remuneration for archakas (priests), increase the stipend for unemployed Vedic scholars to Rs.3,000, and ensure greater autonomy in temple and Vedic affairs.

 “We are building Amaravati as the abode of angels, inspired by Devendra’s capital, and we urge devotees to visit after their Balaji darshan,” he stated. Additionally, he committed to preserving Tirumala’s 75% green cover and promoting environmental sustainability.

 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu, and ITCX Founder Giresh Vasudev Kulkarni were present at the event.