Gem testing lab at Tirumala

Tirupati, Feb 4: In line with the assurance given to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (Ttd) on Thursday began the exercise of establishing of a state-of-art gemology testing laboratory atop the world famous Tirumala Hills.Being set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh, the gemology laboratory will test the quality of the jewelry and the precious stones to be presented only to Lord Venkateswara by the devotees.  The lab is being set up under the directives from the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), the High Court has felt that the security of the invaluable jewelry and the precious stones being donated to the Lord by the devotees is at stake. The court was of the opinion that the value of the gold jewelry and the stones is not being properly assessed.The Ttd then assured the court that it would establish a gemology lab on the Hills itself so that experts in the field will henceforth assess the assets. Inaugurating the premises for the laboratory, the Executive Officer of the Ttd,

Mr I Y R Krishna Rao, said that noted gemologists from Pune, Mumbai and Jaipur who have vast experience in assessing the value of the gems as well as the purity of gold in the jewelry will extend their services to the lab. “The jewelry and the gems will henceforth be tested at the lab first and only then they will be moved to safe lockers,” he added.Several dignitaries and senior officials of the Ttd were present at the function. The lab will soon be completed and will be well equipped, the Executive Officer added.