Manoeuvring through master plan maze - 2
Episode 14
Part - 2
The slum was located towards the of South Mada street. Besides the structures in the slum, some two and three- storeyed buildings on South Mada Street too had to be demolished to connect the queue complex with the temple. Whether it was the construction of a modern 'kalyana katta'(to facilitate tonsure) or a canteen complex or the widening of Sannidhi Street, the problem was the same; Houses and huts shelters and shops and other unauthorized structures.
Part - 2
The slum was located towards the of South Mada street. Besides the structures in the slum, some two and three- storeyed buildings on South Mada Street too had to be demolished to connect the queue complex with the temple. Whether it was the construction of a modern 'kalyana katta'(to facilitate tonsure) or a canteen complex or the widening of Sannidhi Street, the problem was the same; Houses and huts shelters and shops and other unauthorized structures.
South Mada Street
Why had the situation become so complicated? After all , the total area within a radius of ten and half square miles of the temple including forests atop the Hills belongs to Lord Srinivasa . How did so many structures come up? I learnt that some structures had emerged chaotically over a century with or without TTD permission. The TTD could not touch even a single unauthorized structure as every inch of the land was under litigation.
To sum up, it was a story of three cases and six stays in courts ranging from the Munsif court at Tirupati to the Supreme Court in Delhi. Thanks to the cases, TTD legal officers , lawyers and Tirumala panchayat staff had enough work on their hands , although the TTD could not lay its hands on the land for development.
I concluded after a thorough review that the cases were unlikely to be resolved for another 25 to 30 years . TTD's huge chest of funds , with ever increasing revenues, vast administrative machinery , brilliant ideas and political and moral clout meant nothing as long as the legal maze persisted.
Amphitheater
The enthusiasm with which I had taken over the TTD assignment to render better service to pilgrims evaporated in no time. Given the haphazard structures , narrow lanes, brokers raj, queue sheds without amenities and unhygienic surroundings there was no way pilgrims could have peace of mind, tranquil atmosphere and satisfactory 'darshan' of the Lord. The plight of the devotees left me in agony for weeks. I felt powerless despite the vast powers I enjoyed as Executive Officer.
As I walked towards the temple from Alwar Tank Cottages one day, I imagined how beautiful it would be if a modern spacious queue complex were to replace the narrow lanes, overcrowded huts and sheds in the area south of the temple. I visualized a two or three storeyed queue complex having restrooms, bathrooms and cloakrooms and facilities for supply of hygienic food and clean drinking water. The reclining chairs would allow pilgrims to rest their backs and stretch their legs.The elderly among the devotees could lie down in well furnished dormitories . Pilgrims could forget their fatigue and boredom over the indefinite wait for 'darshan; by listening to soothing devotional music or watching temple rituals on closed circuit TVs.
Free Annadhanam Canteen
My vision began to widen as I neared the temple. Sannidhi Street would be atleast 100 feet in width enabling pilgrims to have a beautiful view of the temple. There would be a huge canteen complex to provide good hygienic food to pilgrims with a five star kitchen. The new 'kalyana katta' would be neat , clean and hygienic resembling sophisticated hair cutting saloons. There would be a well equipped auditorium in Tirumala for the conduct of lectures, devotional programmes of music and dance and perhaps even to perform the Lord's 'kalyanam' enabling thousands of people to take part , and witness.
I was on cloud nine visualizing the tantalizing scenes when a cow running amuck through the overcrowded narrow lane of the slums grounded me. Would my dream ever become a reality? Could I turn Tirumala into a heavenly abode for pilgrims coming from far off places to fulfill their vows and have a glimpse of the Lord? Could I help them cherish unforgettable memories of their Tirumala trip? Would I ever get such an opportunity? These thoughts led me inevitably to the legal maze , and with that all my enthusiasm and energy quickly died down... My three or four years in TTD would be sufficient to get a few stays vacated and moving some cases from the lower to higher courts.
As I stepped into the temple, with irrepressible emotion , I asked the Lord, " Why am I facing so many hurdles when I want to provide amenities to Your devotees? Why am I haunted by helplessness? When will the things get resolved ? Is there any solution at all? If there is one, would I have it? Or do you want Your devotees to continue to undergo hardship and suffering? For how long? " After unleashing the barrage of questions at the Lord, I slided into a contemplative mood . I felt the prompting of some inner voice.
The inner voice told me: "All along you have been focusing on how you should demolish illegal structures and remove huts and sheds to provide better amenities to pilgrims. But what about those living there? Are they also not dependent on Lord Srinivasa for their livelihood ? Because He happens to be here, pilgrims come and as pilgrims come, the local people make their living. Were He not to be here, would these people have ever stayed here? Are they also not serving the Lord by serving pilgrims? Where could they go? Why should all of them go? While there be some unscrupulous elements, most of these people are simple folk, depending on the Lord and His devotees for their livelihood. Why dont you approach the issue from another angle? Why can't you initiate reform and development with a human face?"
Once the thought struck me, I felt suddenly at ease. I was engulfed by a new wave of enthusiasm and inspiration. The clouds of despair, which had enveloped me, began to lift. It became clear to me that I should draw up plans for Tirumala development, without ignoring the local people's viewpoint or hurting their genuine interests. Only then, something could be accomplished. I should , therefore, talk to community elders and leaders take them into confidence and hammer out a solution that was acceptable to all.
What is that solution, what happened next, could Sri Prasad work out feasible action plan satisfying all sections of people and TTD requirements?? read more information next week.
Mr.P.V.R.K. Prasad explaining about Master Plan, Showing model for Vaikuntham Q Complex to President of India Dr.Sanjeeva Reddy and Chief Minister Dr.M.Chenna Reddy.
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA