Category: NATIONAL

Tirupati, October 22, 2025 — Devotees offer numerous gifts and donations to Lord Srinivasa at Tirumala, and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been receiving substantial contributions from devotees. Chairman B.R. Naidu on Monday stated that from November 1, 2024, to October 16, 2025, a total of ₹918.6 crore in donations was received. He added that after the formation of the coalition government, the number of donors has gradually increased, and TTD is ensuring that devotees receive proper attention with seamless services. TTD is also providing special facilities to these devotees in recognition of their generous contributions.

Among the donors, there are individuals contributing not only cash but also support for construction projects, purchase of machinery, and technological development. A notable trend is that most donations are now being made online, with ₹579.38 crore collected digitally and ₹339.20 crore through offline channels. During VIP special darshan, prominent figures such as Justice Sujata of the State High Court and actor Raghu visited Lord Venkateswara. Devotees without tokens experience a waiting time of up to 15 hours for Sarva Darshan, and on Tuesday, 76,343 devotees had darshan while 18,768 offered their hair as ritual offerings. The hundi collection for the day amounted to ₹4.34 crore.

New Delhi, October 22, 2025 — Two-time Olympic medallist and India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Wednesday conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army’s Territorial Army. The ceremony took place in the national capital and was graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. The honour recognizes Chopra’s exceptional contributions to Indian sports and his role in inspiring a generation of youth with his discipline, dedication, and patriotism. Officials from the Ministry of Defence stated that Chopra’s induction symbolizes the deep respect the armed forces hold for India’s athletes who bring global glory to the nation.

Chopra began his association with the Indian Army in 2016 when he was appointed as a Naib Subedar in the Rajputana Rifles regiment following his impressive performances in national and international events. His meteoric rise continued after winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Over the years, he was promoted to Subedar in 2021 and Subedar Major in 2022 before receiving this prestigious honorary rank. With this, Chopra joins the distinguished league of sportspersons, including cricketers and Olympians, who have been conferred honorary ranks by the Indian Army for their contribution to the nation’s pride and sporting excellence.

Pathanamthitta, Kerala, October 22, 2025 — President Droupadi Murmu visited the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on Wednesday and offered prayers amid tight security arrangements. This marks the first-ever visit by a sitting President of India to the hill shrine, a significant moment for devotees and the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple. The President was accompanied by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and senior state officials during her visit.

Following the darshan, President Murmu interacted briefly with temple priests and reviewed the arrangements made for pilgrims ahead of the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Authorities had ensured elaborate security and logistical measures, including restrictions on public entry during her visit to maintain sanctity and order. The President’s visit is seen as a gesture of respect toward Kerala’s rich spiritual heritage and its centuries-old temple traditions.