Top storyAs part of World Space Week, being held from October 4 to 10 under Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota, ISRO will conduct an awareness programme on October 9 at Government R.P.B.S. ZP Boys High School in Srikalahasti. Scientists Srinivasa Reddy, Mohan Rao, Srinivasa Rao and Muneer inspected the arrangements on Tuesday. They said the week is being organised in five states and that ISRO-built rockets and space models will be displayed, urging students and youth to attend in large numbers.
A court in Tirupati has ordered community service for a man in a drunk driving case. The II Special Judicial Magistrate of II Class court issued the order on October 7 after A. Munikrishna (34) of Venkatagopalapuram in Renigunta mandal admitted the offence. He must clean and maintain areas around Renigunta urban police station and the government hospital from October 7 to 16, under the Renigunta SHO's supervision, and submit a photo compliance report by 10:30 am on October 17.
People wishing to serve devotees at Tirumala as Srivari Sevaks must book online in advance through the TTD website ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in. Applicants aged 18 to 60 get a week-long service slot, and those who have served once are given another chance after 90 days. The quota is released online between the 26th and 28th of each month. Sevaks work at 39 locations, stay free at the Rs 120-crore Srivari Seva Sadan, and get darshan and a laddu on the final day. So far 16 lakh sevaks have been trained.
A special dry waste collection drive was held through the Swachh Ratham at Chittathuru panchayat in Thottambedu mandal, Tirupati district, as part of a month-long house-to-house cleanliness awareness programme. Village development officer Shanthi said the state government had launched a new scheme called the Dasara Dhamaka Offer. Families handing over more than 3 kg of dry waste receive a lucky token, and a draw on Dasara day, October 26, will give prizes to three winners. She said separating recyclables could earn households income.
The TTD will release on Wednesday the quota of Rs 300 special entry darshan tickets for the Navaratri Brahmotsavam of Tirumala Srivari. Rs 300 darshan tickets for October had already been released online, but the quota for October 12, 13, 14, 18, 19 and 20 was kept on hold. With the Brahmotsavam approaching, the TTD is set to release the quota for these dates online at 10 am on October 7.
A 75-foot cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unveiled in Tirupati on Tuesday. A 'Modi Jatara' programme, planned to run for 75 hours with the aim of a Guinness Book of World Records entry, was launched at the SV Tarakarama grounds in the city. One thousand Vedic scholars performed special pujas and offered blessings under Matangi Peetham head Nandagiri Swami. BJP district president Samanchi Srinivas, SC Morcha state president P. Suresh and former Srikalahasti temple chairman Kola Anand attended.
The Journalist Association of Andhra Pradesh (JAP) held the executive meeting of its Tirupati and Chittoor district units on Tuesday at the JAP office near the old checkpost in Renigunta. State president Raviteja and state secretary Lakshmipathi took part and discussed union activities, journalists' problems and future action. They said the association works continuously for journalists' welfare and resolution of professional issues. Rights, welfare schemes, accreditation and safety were also discussed. Tirupati district president Prabhakar and Chittoor district president John attended.
The CITU Drivers Union has demanded immediate resolution of problems faced by drivers, vehicle owners and farmers in the transport department's online services, submitting a petition to Tirupati district transport officials. District general secretary Kanjeri Selvaraju said technical glitches affect licence renewal, heavy vehicle IIR, name transfer, hypothecation cancellation, HSRP QR codes, conductor licence renewal and tractor-trailer FC. The union sought a special helpdesk in every RTO office.
A Gudur 7th ADJ court judge, Venkatanagapavan, on Monday sentenced Nelluru Chitra (26) and her partner Thonda Krishnamurthy (25) to life imprisonment with a Rs 15,000 fine for the murder of her husband Jagadish, CI M. Muralikrishna said. Believing Jagadish was an obstacle to their relationship, Krishnamurthy took him to fields near Mannarupoluru cross road on the night of October 14, 2023, plied him with liquor and slit his throat with a blade. Jagadish died on a national highway divider.
An awareness programme on worm infestations and tuberculosis was held for students at the Government Urdu High School in Nehru Nagar, Tirupati, on the directions of District Leprosy, AIDS and TB Officer Dr Shailaja. Renigunta mandal PHC health supervisor Kamaraju advised washing hands with soap before meals and after toilet use, and taking deworming tablets as advised by health staff. Cough, fever, weight loss or night sweats beyond two weeks warrant TB tests, he said. Headmaster Mujeeb, teachers, ANM Sarita, an ASHA worker and TB supervisor Kalapriya attended.
Former MLA Biyyapu Madhusudan Reddy called on every party worker to work collectively for a YSRCP victory in the coming local body elections. A mandal extended-level meeting was held under his chairmanship at the party office in Srikalahasti town, where ID cards were distributed to leaders and workers. He said party ranks need not fear any threats from the coalition government and assured them of his support. Electing YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as Chief Minister in 2029 is the goal, he said.
MLC Nagababu, actor Varun Tej, Lavanya Tripathi and Niharika Konidela visited the Tirumala temple on Friday along with family members. They had darshan of the deity during VIP break darshan time, after which Vedic scholars offered blessings at Ranganayakula Mandapam. Temple officials honoured them with Swami vari vastram and presented theertha prasadam. Nagababu performed the tonsuring offering of Varun Tej's son Vaayuv Tej. Related videos are going viral on social media.
Sarva darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala is taking about 12 hours. According to information available till 4 pm on Thursday, all 31 compartments in Vaikuntham Queue Complex-2 and nine sheds at Narayanagiri were full with devotees, with the queue line extending via Krishnateja guest house up to Silathoranam circle. Time-slot devotees were waiting in six compartments of Vaikuntham Queue Complex-1. On Wednesday, 72,362 devotees had darshan and 29,166 offered their hair. Tuesday's hundi income was Rs 4.05 crore.
District Collector Dr S. Venkateswar, along with APSPDCL CMD Lotheti Sivasankar, launched a job mela in Tirupati organised by APSPDCL with support from the state Skill Development department. The Collector said unemployed youth should not limit themselves to government jobs and must use opportunities in the private sector. He said Sri City's electronic manufacturing cluster and Naidupeta industrial park had brought the district recognition, with over 500 companies backed by investors from about 55 countries operating there.
Tollywood actor Varun Tej Konidela visited the Tirumala temple on Friday with wife Lavanya Tripathi and son Vayuv, taking part in special rituals. Visuals of the actor carrying his son in the temple premises went viral on social media. Nagababu, Padmaja and sister Niharika also had darshan. Varun Tej is currently acting in 'Bari', a volleyball-based sports drama directed by Yadhu Vamsi and produced by Niharika Konidela under Pink Elephant Pictures.
A resident of Sullurpeta in Tirupati district urgently needed two B+ SDP blood donors for surgery. After the patient's family approached them, Chiranjeevi Seva Sangham president Mabhasha and member Chaitanya travelled to Chennai and donated SDP blood to the patient at Gleneagles Hospital. Mabhasha said the group takes part in service activities inspired by Megastar Chiranjeevi, and appealed to people to donate blood voluntarily, calling it a social responsibility.
The 'Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra', being conducted from Tirupati to Varanasi, reached Srikalahasti on Wednesday. MLA Bojjala Venkata Sudhir Reddy welcomed the team and joined the bike rally. The riders later visited the Srikalahasteeswara Swamy temple and offered prayers, after which the MLA handed over theertha prasadam. He said the yatra, held by Yuvagalam and TNSF on Nara Lokesh's directions, covers about 2,000 km and marks 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public life.
Renigunta police have warned that strict action will follow if minors are found driving vehicles. After a minor boy drove negligently near the ZP Girls High School within the station limits and caused an accident, police registered an FIR against the boy as well as his parents. The parents were later counselled on the risks and legal consequences. Police said giving vehicles to minors is an offence and parents are also liable.
Devotees expressed anger after the issue of Srivani darshan tickets was stopped at the Renigunta airport in Tirupati. They argued with staff, questioning why the tickets were halted without prior notice. Devotees who had travelled from distant places faced difficulties. Airport Director K.M. Bhuminath recognised the problem and spoke to senior TTD officials by phone, explaining the situation. Officials responded on his initiative and restarted the issue of tickets, ending the dispute.
Savitri, from Sangareddy district in Telangana, informed the Tirupati police WhatsApp number 8099999977 on 25-09-2026 that her husband, Chinna Rathod Santosh, had left home three days earlier. She said he made a video call stating he was distressed over heavy debts, was in Tirupati and would end his life. West police station inspector Ramakrishna traced him with technical assistance and brought him safely to the station. After counselling he was handed to his wife. District SP L. Subbarayudu commended the staff.
