Nitin Gadkari seeks Tirumala Lord's blessings for bountiful rains

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara on Tirumala, seeking countrywide rains and end of drought conditions. Gadkari along with AP Minister Kollu Ravindra were among the first to offer prayers to the Lord at the first VIP break darshan on Thursday morning. Earlier, the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam officials accorded a grand welcome to the ministers with temple honours. After they offered prayers, they were given `teerthaprasadam' by the temple authorities. Talking to newsmen on Tirumala, Gadkari said the country as a whole was facing drinking water shortage. The Centre was trying to do its utmost to meet the situation. He prayed to the Lord to give bountiful rain for the country.