Manoeuvring through master plan maze - 5
On receipt of the High Court orders on telephone and fax, our engineering staff took up demolitions, as security staff provided cover. Standing infront of the temple, I was watching the work in progress. Suddenly , groups of people rushed into the Sannidhi Street shouting and bawling and started raining stones on me. I was purplexed.
The crowd included a few shopkeepers , many petty vendors and some outsiders. A security guard and the Vigilance Officer , Mr.Dhilleswara Rao, standing by me were injured. As a reflex action one security guard opened fire into the air. Other security personnel rushed towards the crowd.
As the stones were aimed at the main gate(Mahadwaram), where I was standing and the pilgrim line for darshan was moving, the temple doors had to be shut to protect the pilgrims. The situation was brought under control in a few minutes and the temple doors were re-opened.
The demolition of shops resumed. Tears rolled down my cheeks over the unfortunate incident. I mulled repeatedly, "Am I responsible for all this?" . The abrupt closure of the temple doors deeply disturbed me. I believed that I had the Lord's blessing for what all I was doing. Then why did this happen? Perhaps, the Lord willed it otherwise. Should I stop the work? I was confused...
The crowd included a few shopkeepers , many petty vendors and some outsiders. A security guard and the Vigilance Officer , Mr.Dhilleswara Rao, standing by me were injured. As a reflex action one security guard opened fire into the air. Other security personnel rushed towards the crowd.
As the stones were aimed at the main gate(Mahadwaram), where I was standing and the pilgrim line for darshan was moving, the temple doors had to be shut to protect the pilgrims. The situation was brought under control in a few minutes and the temple doors were re-opened.
The demolition of shops resumed. Tears rolled down my cheeks over the unfortunate incident. I mulled repeatedly, "Am I responsible for all this?" . The abrupt closure of the temple doors deeply disturbed me. I believed that I had the Lord's blessing for what all I was doing. Then why did this happen? Perhaps, the Lord willed it otherwise. Should I stop the work? I was confused...
Mada Streets before expansion
Before I could gather my thoughts, Sannidhi Street had been cleared as planned - But, I was haunted by the vision of the few shouting shopkeepers.
Of course I permitted the shopkeepers to carry on their business in temporary shelters until the new shops came up.
I took over the total responsibility for the allocation of the newly constructed shops. I ensured that the new shops were allocated in the same order in which the owners had them earlier. The transparent policy we followed gave no scope for any irregularities. There were, of course, pressures from all quarters - political and administrative - for allotment of shops. The detailed pre-demolition exercise in building the status records, wi th detailed photographs which were made public, smoothened reallotment.
By the time I was transferred from the TTD in May- June 1982, I could see the effect of the Master Plan. A modern queue complex , a spacious "Kalyana Katta", ' asthana mantap', a fine-star kitchen, a huge canteen complex were either completed or nearing completion. A dining hall that could accommodate 5000 people had been commissioned. Mr. L.V.Ramaiah, an oil merchant from Anantapur , become the first donor for the 'nityannadana'(daily provision of meals) scheme by contributing Rs.16 lakhs.(Subsequently , a number of donations were received making it one of the most popular schemes). Through this scheme, we wanted to ensure there would not be any sale of food in Tirumala in a few years. The TTD should provide free food to all pilgrims. A few guesthouses and a big canteen (the present Mayuri complex) were taking shape beside Sri Venkateshwara Guesthouse.
Of course I permitted the shopkeepers to carry on their business in temporary shelters until the new shops came up.
I took over the total responsibility for the allocation of the newly constructed shops. I ensured that the new shops were allocated in the same order in which the owners had them earlier. The transparent policy we followed gave no scope for any irregularities. There were, of course, pressures from all quarters - political and administrative - for allotment of shops. The detailed pre-demolition exercise in building the status records, wi th detailed photographs which were made public, smoothened reallotment.
By the time I was transferred from the TTD in May- June 1982, I could see the effect of the Master Plan. A modern queue complex , a spacious "Kalyana Katta", ' asthana mantap', a fine-star kitchen, a huge canteen complex were either completed or nearing completion. A dining hall that could accommodate 5000 people had been commissioned. Mr. L.V.Ramaiah, an oil merchant from Anantapur , become the first donor for the 'nityannadana'(daily provision of meals) scheme by contributing Rs.16 lakhs.(Subsequently , a number of donations were received making it one of the most popular schemes). Through this scheme, we wanted to ensure there would not be any sale of food in Tirumala in a few years. The TTD should provide free food to all pilgrims. A few guesthouses and a big canteen (the present Mayuri complex) were taking shape beside Sri Venkateshwara Guesthouse.
Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy
Reconstruction of the Bedi Anjaneya Swami temple had been completed.
On the occasion of the consecration of this temple. Lord 'Malayappa Swamy'(the processional deity of Lord Srinivasa) along with 'Sridevi' and 'Bhoodevi' were brought in a procession in Sannidhi Street. 'Onjal'(swinging cradle) service was arranged for the Lord in front of Lord Anjaneya. Thousands of pilgrims sitting in Sannidhi Street as well as the widened roads on all sides had an exciting experience.
I bowed before the Lord and looked back. Right opposite was the Tirumala temple tower. In between the tower and the Anjaneya temple, the 100 - foot-wide Sannidhi Street, looked like a runway. The Lord seemed to be having His 'oonjal' ceremony on a runway. No longer were the pilgrims shoving one another on the narrow lane. It was a dream come true. I felt supremely happy.
What a great mission had been accomplished! By whom? (Was it me?) .
X X X X X
A few months later in June 1982, I was transferred. I had already handed over charge. As we were packing up, I saw large crowd at my bungalow gate. My secretary Narayana informed me that two groups of people from Tirumala had come to meet me. One group comprised the shopkeepers from the Sannidhi Street and the other, the residents displaced from the Mada streets and slums and resettled in a new township. Why would they want to meet me? I had already handed over the charge. What could I do for them?
"When you planned the demolition of houses and shops, we doubted your sincerity and integrity. We were suspicious. We abused you; we resisted you and we attacked you.We did not believe that you would stand by your promises. But, you have implemented all assurances. We cannot point out a single case of injustice. In spite of our attacks and con-cooperation, you gave everyone of us our due.We are ashamed of our conduct. Our guilty conscience did not permit us to meet you earlier. Now that you are leaving...", their voices trailed off into silence, as tears welled up in their eyes. I was deeply touched.
'In fond remembrance of our relationship with you, please accept our gifts". The Sannidhi Street shopkeepers group presented m a Panchaloha(five metal alloy) statue of Bedi Anjaneya Swami. The other group from Mada Streets and slum dwellers presented me with three Panchaloha statues of Srinivasa, Sridevi, and Bhudevi ... Wonderful idols , which are fit to adorn any great temple. Looking at those touching gifts, I recalled the happenings of the previous two years, including the haunting scenes of the stone throwing and the temple closure.
I realized that the Power, which safeguarded their interests, was not mine. But which Power rendered them justice?
Which Master facilitated the Master Plan execution in so short a period?
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA