It is known that the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has largely modified the operations of the TTD board. The new chairman of the board BR Naidu has made sure that every aspect of TTD operations is public centric and appeasing to the common folk.
In accordance with this public centric approach, the TTD has amplified the operations at the Anna Prasadam unit as well. Certain changes were made to the menu, including the addition of a sweet and masala vada for the first time, adding to the overall improval in quality of the feeding experience.
Digging deep into the history, the then Chief Minister NT Rama Rao launched the Annadana Scheme in Tirumala in 1985. TTD then renamed the scheme as Sri Venkateswara Annaprasadam Trust in 2014. The trust, which started with 2,000 people, has grown to the point where it feeds 1 lakh devotees every day today.
Interestingly, over 139 people have made donations worth Rs 1 crore or above to the trust till now. In total, the overall donations to the trust has touched Rs 2.2K crore.