RID 3233 takes special children to Tirupati

More than 1,000 ­differently-abled children from ­Chennai were taken to ­Tirupati in a chartered train for a special darshan of Lord Balaji by RID 3233 under Project Sri Balaji Darshan with God’s Children.

Flagging off the special train to Tirupati, RI director Anirudha ­Roychowdhury complimented project chairman Pankaj Kankaria and his team who were guided by district governor Mahaveer Chand Bothra, and said, “the event of this magnitude was made possible, thanks to the team effort of RID 3233.”

Tamil Nadu minister P K Sekar Babu was the chief guest at the flag off early morning at the Central Railway Station, Chennai. He was accompanied by Southern Railway divisional manager Vishwanath Eerya and other officials. At the Renigunta Railway Station, the children were welcomed by Andhra Pradesh minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu, TTD executive officer Shyamala Rao and other state officials.

“The children were taken to ­Tirumala by 36 AP state government buses and had good darshan of Lord Balaji at around noon which was possible due to the arrangements made by the Local Advisory Committee president Sekar Reddy and other Rotarians who coordinated with the LAC,” said DG Bothra.

Arusuvai Catering from Chennai provided three sumptuous meals to the children. They were also given a smart handbag, a t-shirt with Rotary emblem and a Lord Balaji image, mineral water and biscuits, and a writing pad with pen. Rotarians and doctors travelled with the children to ensure their well-being throughout the journey.

RID 3233 donated ₹1.51 lakh to TTD for  annadhanam (mass ­feeding). “The train journey with special children to Tirupati will linger in our hearts and mind for time to come,” added DG Bothra.