5,000 laddus airlifted to Chicago

Bangalore, Aug 23 (PTI) About 5,000 laddus of the famous hill shrine of Tirupati were airlifted from here Saturday to Chicago for distribution at the International Kannada Conference in which Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is scheduled to take part.

Besides, 5000 portraits of Lord Venkateshwara were also being taken which would be presented to the delegates as a "gift" from Karnataka during the conference, starting August29.

"These gifts (laddus and portraits) have not been purchased by the government, but by me and with the help of some donors," Karnataka Minister for Muzarai (Temples) Es En Krisshnaiah Setty, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara,told reporters here.

Setty said that during his Chicago visit, he will canvassfor funds from NRIs for renovation of temples in the state.

"During my upcoming visit to Chicago, I will plead with NRIs of our state to contribute for renovation of temples," hesaid.

According to Setty, Karnataka has 34,190 temples and needed about Rs 3,000 crore for renovating them. The state's budgetary support for these temples during 2008-09 is onlyabout Rs 70 crore.

Setty's expression of loyalty to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa soon after he was inducted into the ministry by issuing a circular ordering that all temples in the stateperform 'pooja' in the name of Yeddyurappa had drawn flak.

Yeddyurappa later ordered the withdrawal of thecontroversial circular.