Tirumala, September 6, 2013: Scarcely is any photograph of any VIP visiting Tirumala flashed in the media without the temple officials or priests beaming in front of the cameras.

The obsession for the cameras is so great that many a time the VIPs remain tucked between the temple staff.

Generally, the pictures of any sacred place of worship are identified with the snapshots of its presiding deity, but things are different in Tirumala where the photographs show the temple priests or its staff.

This tendency has spread to other temples under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam-fold such as goddess Padmavathi Ammavaru temple at Tiruchanoor and Srinivasa Mangapuram at Tirupati.

But all these will now become things of the past. M.G. Gopal who recently took charge as the Executive Officer of the mighty TTD is learnt to have sternly warned the officials and the temple staff to avoid posing for the cameras along with the VIPs, except for those who have been specifically assigned with the protocol duties.

Circular

The intent of the management was resolutely conveyed to all the staff in the form of a circular which was welcomed by a cross-section of the employees.

Even though it may take some time for the zealous staff to digest the intent behind the message, the effect it seems is already felt as the staff are staying away from the photo sessions.

Source: The Hindu, September 6, 2013