TTD gives one gram gold to prevent conversions

HYDERABAD: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which runs the richest temple in the country, will hand out one gram of gold to poor families to keep them from converting to other religions. The new board that runs the TTD took this decision following complaints from religious leaders that preachers of other religions are luring poor Hindus either through financial help or through promises of a better living. If that is indeed the case, the TTD is in for a rethink. One gram of gold?assuming the jeweller is honest and does not adulterate it?would cost less than Rs 900. The gold will be given in the form of mangalsutras to one lakh below poverty line (BPL) couples every year. ?There are several lakh Hindu families living below poverty line. They have never ever worn gold ornaments. The TTD will distribute gold mangalsutras and perform one lakh mass marriages every year,? said TTD chairman B. Karunakar Reddy. ?On February 22, 2007, one lakh mass marriages will be performed between 8 am and 8.30 am all over the state and the TTD will provide free food to 20 family members and relatives of each couple. The basic idea is to prevent poor Hindus from converting to other religions,? Shri Reddy said. The TTD has also come out with a programme to distribute atchintalus of Lord Sri Venkateswara and kumkuma of Goddess Sri Padmavati among all Hindu families in the state. This will create an awareness among Hindus and bring them to the religious fold, he said.  (FOC)