Visa aspirants plead Balaji to influence Donald Trump
Despite the Trump administration’s stringent regulations, the spirit of the devout was not shaken.
Hyderabad: As many as 4,000 to 5,000 visa aspirants did two additional circumambulations (pradakshinas) around the deity in the Chilkur Balaji Temple (aka Visa Balaji Temple). This was done in a bid to change the mind of the Trump administration, which has been stingy in doling out visas to Indian students and immigrant workers.
“The devout believe that if they take up 108 circumambulations, their chanc-es of a visa are higher. On Friday, however, the people did two additional circumambulations,” Chil-kur Balaji Temple priest C.S. Rangarajan, told Deccan Chronicle.
Questioning the US government’s stand on the matter he said: “People who go from India go to study or work. They want to eke out a living, not disrupt the peace. The government is making efforts to make Trump’s visit fruitful but the devotees here have a unique prayer, that the Trump administration should change its highly restrictive policy towards dedicated and skilled techies from India who always contribute to the good of the country they work in,” temple
head priest C. Rangarajan said.
Despite the Trump administration’s stringent regulations, the spirit of the devout was not shaken.