Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal offered prayers at the sacred Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple atop Tirumala on Monday, seeking divine blessings for national development and societal prosperity.
Accompanied by his family members, the minister was warmly received by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman B.R. Naidu, Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary, and temple priests, who escorted him to the sanctum sanctorum for darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
Inside the shrine, priests explained the spiritual and historical significance of the jewels adorning the deity, offering the minister deeper insight into the temple’s revered traditions. After spending a few moments in prayer, Goyal proceeded to Ranganayaka Mandapam, where he received Vedasirvachanam – a ceremonial blessing from the priests.
“I prayed to Lord Venkateswara for the nation’s progress and the well-being of every citizen. I sought divine support for the success of our government’s vision of Viksit Bharat and India’s emergence as a Vishwaguru,” Goyal said after the visit.
As part of the temple tradition, the Union Minister was presented with the Lord’s silk vastram, prasadam, and a laminated image of the deity.
The visit was also attended by Andhra Pradesh Ministers Anagani Satya Prasad and T.G. Bharat, along with TTD Board Members Dr. Panabaka Lakshmi, Janga Krishnamurthy, M. Santharam, Naresh Kumar, G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, and Temple Deputy EO Lokanadham.
High-Level Meeting in Amaravati
Earlier on Sunday, Goyal arrived in Amaravati as part of his two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh, where he met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to deliberate on key issues affecting farmers and exporters.
The discussions focused on the challenges faced by cultivators of commercial crops and stakeholders in aquaculture. Major concerns included:
- Procurement of HD Burley tobacco
- Reduction of import duty on crude palm oil
- Tariffs levied by the US on Indian aqua exports
- Request for GST reduction on mango pulp
CM Naidu briefed the Union Minister on the current agricultural scenario in Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the economic difficulties faced by farmers. He also outlined steps being taken by the state government to provide relief and sought the Centre’s support in resolving pending issues.
The meeting is seen as a crucial step toward strengthening Centre-State cooperation and improving the prospects of farmers and agri-exporters in the region.
