Tirumala, July 7, 2013: Senior IAS officer M.G. Gopal on Saturday took charge as the Executive Officer and ex-officio member of the world’s renowned religious institution of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

At a brief ceremony at the Bangaru Vakili inside the sanctum sanctorum of the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara, the TTD’s Joint Executive Officer K.S. Srinivas raju administered him the oath of office and secrecy.

Earlier, the outgoing Executive officer L.V. Subramanyam who was transferred as the Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, handed him over the charge at the Ranganayakula mandapam inside the temple complex in the wee hours of the day.

Later, talking to media persons, Mr. Gopal who termed his appointment as a divine opportunity to serve the presiding deity said that ensuring that all the rituals inside the temple are carried out in strict accordance with the Agama Sastras was on the top of his agenda.

Meeting the requirements of the multitude of devotees thronging the sacred shrine coupled with the responsibility of providing them with adequate security besides protecting and promoting the sanatana Hindu dharma were the other two areas of importance on which he would focus his attention in addition to the protection of the serene environs of the holy hills. Tirupati Staff Reporter adds: It was a befitting farewell to Mr. Subrahmanyam and a cordial welcome to the new incumbent Mr. Gopal, extended by the TTD employees on Saturday.

Led by Mr. Sreenivasa Raju, Joint Executive Officer P.Venkatrami Reddy (Tirupati) and Chief Vigilance and Security Officer G.V.G. Ashok Kumar, the employees representing various departments honoured the two IAS officials with garlands. Mr.Subrahmanyam thanked the employees for their support, while Mr.Gopal expressed hope that they would extend him the same warmth and cooperation.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 7, 2013.