Apanna Hrudaya Scheme: TTD’s ₹1 Lakh Child Heart Surgery Donation
The Apanna Hrudaya Scheme turns a ₹1 lakh donation into free open-heart surgery for an underprivileged child at TTD’s Sri Padmavathi Children’s Heart Centre.
The Apanna Hrudaya Scheme turns a ₹1 lakh gift into a free, life-saving heart operation for a child born poor. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) created it so that no family loses a baby simply because surgery costs too much. You likely want three answers: what it covers, what donors receive, and how to give. Each one appears below, verified against official TTD records. Notably, the operation happens at a hospital that has already mended thousands of tiny hearts.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
- Purpose: Sponsors free heart surgery for underprivileged children.
- Amount: ₹1 lakh funds one complete paediatric heart operation.
- Hospital: Sri Padmavathi Children’s Heart Centre, Tirupati.
- Run by: TTD, under the SV Pranadana Trust.
- Eligible donors: Individuals, firms, and charitable trusts.
- Donor reward: One-time break darshan for a family of five, plus 80G tax relief.
What Is the Apanna Hrudaya Scheme?
The Apanna Hrudaya Scheme is a TTD charity that pays for open-heart surgery in children from poor families. One donor gives ₹1 lakh, and that amount funds one child’s full operation. As a result, the family pays nothing for treatment that might otherwise cost several lakhs.
The name carries meaning. Hrudaya means heart in Telugu and Sanskrit, while the prefix points to the helpless or suffering. Therefore, the title speaks of mercy for a frail young heart. TTD’s own pages list the scheme under the longer official title, Sri Venkateswara Apanna Hrudaya Scheme.
One point trips up many readers. Although devotees link it to Tirumala, the hospital actually stands in Tirupati at the old BIRRD block. Because TTD manages both the temple and the hospital, the two names travel together.
Why Children’s Heart Surgery Matters So Much
Congenital heart defects are among the most common birth problems worldwide. Specifically, they are structural faults in the heart present from the moment a baby is born. Some are minor, yet many demand surgery within the first months of life.
For poor families, the timing is cruel. A newborn may need an urgent operation costing lakhs, money the parents simply do not have. Consequently, delay can prove fatal long before they can arrange funds.
This gap is exactly what the scheme closes. Instead of borrowing or begging, parents reach a hospital that treats the child free. Above all, the surgery arrives in time, which is often the difference between life and loss.
How the Apanna Hrudaya Scheme Works
The process stays simple and direct. First, a donor contributes ₹1 lakh to the hospital fund. Next, TTD assigns that money to one waiting child. Finally, the surgery proceeds at no cost to the family.
Moreover, the donor need not be a wealthy individual. Companies and registered trusts may give too, with each ₹1 lakh sponsoring one child. So a corporate donor might fund five or ten operations in a single gesture.
Crucially, the Apanna Hrudaya Scheme keeps its focus narrow. It backs paediatric heart cases alone, which lets the hospital channel funds straight to the operating theatre. In short, your rupee follows a short, clear path from gift to recovery.
Sri Padmavathi Children’s Heart Centre: The Hospital Behind It
TTD opened this centre in 2021 under the SV Pranadana Trust. Then Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the facility. Furthermore, it carried forward a dream of late former Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who long wanted free heart care for children in the state.
This is a serious tertiary hospital, not a token clinic. Specifically, it offers 100 beds, 40 ICU beds, three operation theatres, and an advanced cath lab. As a result, families no longer rush to Hyderabad, Chennai, or Bengaluru for complex paediatric surgery.
The numbers underline its scale. Within its first three years, the centre completed more than 3,300 congenital cardiac procedures. Additionally, surgeons there carried out 16 heart transplants on young patients.
Credentials back the care. The National Board of Examinations recognises the centre for paediatric cardiology training. Meanwhile, it stays affiliated with the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), under director Dr Srinath Reddy. Hence, children receive expert treatment under one roof.
What Your ₹1 Lakh Actually Buys
One unit of the scheme costs exactly ₹1 lakh. For that sum, TTD covers the surgery, the hospital stay, and the standard post-operative care of one child. Therefore, the family walks out without a bill.
The contrast with private care is stark. Paediatric heart surgery in private hospitals often runs from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh and beyond. By comparison, the Apanna Hrudaya Scheme delivers the same surgery free to the patient. In effect, a single gift can spare a family years of crushing debt.
| Aspect | Apanna Hrudaya Scheme | Typical Private Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to the family | ₹0 (fully sponsored) | ₹2–5 lakh or more |
| Donor contribution | ₹1 lakh per child | Not applicable |
| Specialist care | SVIMS-affiliated team | Private surgeons |
| Tax benefit | 80G exemption | None |
The Surgery Journey for a Sponsored Child
Parents often ask what actually happens after a donation funds their child. The path runs through clear stages. First comes diagnosis, where doctors confirm the defect through scans and an echocardiogram.
Then the medical team plans the operation and prepares the family. Next, surgeons perform the procedure in one of the centre’s theatres. Afterward, the child recovers in the paediatric ICU under close watch.
Finally, follow-up visits track healing over the months ahead. Throughout, the sponsorship covers these stages, so parents focus on their child rather than on money. Importantly, families who have used the centre frequently praise both its doctors and its nursing staff.
Donor Benefits and Privileges
TTD thanks each donor with a spiritual gesture. Primarily, a donor and a family of up to five receive a one-time break darshan at the Tirumala temple. However, this depends on availability and is not assured during heavy rush.
Firms and trusts get similar access for five persons. Additionally, they settle the standard break darshan charges for that entry. Yet the truest reward needs no ticket, because the donor has handed a child back to its parents.
| Donor Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Break darshan | One-time, family of five, subject to availability |
| Tax exemption | 80G certificate issued by TTD |
| Eligible donors | Individuals, firms, and trusts |
| Proof | Official receipt for darshan and tax claim |
How to Donate Step by Step
Three routes let you contribute. Each one ends with an acknowledgement receipt, so guard that paper. It unlocks both your darshan benefit and your tax relief.
- Online: Open the official TTD portal at ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in and go to the donations section.
- By demand draft: Draw a DD favouring the Executive Officer, TTD, Tirupati, then send it to the TTD office.
- In person: Hand your contribution to staff at the TTD administrative building in Tirupati.
For help, devotees may ring the TTD helpline on 0877-2277777 or 0877-2233333. Meanwhile, keep your PAN ready, since the tax certificate needs it.
Claiming Your 80G Tax Exemption
Every gift qualifies for an 80G exemption under the Income Tax Act. As a result, you can set the donation against your taxable income. Furthermore, TTD issues an official certificate that supports your filing.
Apanna Hrudaya Scheme vs Other TTD Medical Trusts
TTD runs several health charities, and newcomers often muddle them. The table clears the confusion. Notably, each trust serves a different set of patients.
| Trust / Scheme | Focus | Typical Donation |
|---|---|---|
| Apanna Hrudaya Scheme | Free heart surgery for children | ₹1 lakh per child |
| SV Pranadana Trust | Free care for heart, brain, and cancer cases | Any amount |
| SB Aarogya Varaprasadini | Healthcare for the poor and disabled at SVIMS | Any amount |
Clearly, this scheme is the most child-specific of the three. For broader adult medical relief, the Pranadana Trust reaches a wider group. Still, all three share one aim, which is care for those who cannot pay.
Insider Tips Most Guides Miss
- Search both “Apanna” and “Aapanna” online, because TTD uses the double-a spelling on some official pages.
- Treat the gift as final, since all TTD donations are strictly non-refundable.
- Carry your PAN at the time of donating to speed up the 80G certificate.
- Do not mix this up with TTD’s ₹1 lakh donor-privilege card, which gives 20 years of annual darshan. The break darshan here is one-time only.
- Request a digital donor passbook, as TTD has been issuing these to contributors.
The Road Ahead for Children’s Heart Care
TTD hinted at a larger vision in May 2025. The Executive Officer asked officials to study a dedicated trust purely for children’s medical services, as reported by TTD’s official news service. Consequently, the Apanna Hrudaya Scheme may one day sit inside a full paediatric medical trust.
Plans also call for more theatres, equipment, and emergency medicines. Therefore, surgery numbers should rise steadily in the years ahead. For donors, that growth means each rupee is likely to reach even more children.
The Bottom Line
Few charities act as directly as this one. A single ₹1 lakh gift saves one child’s life, with no hidden terms. Moreover, you earn an 80G benefit and a one-time darshan at Tirumala. If you feel moved to give, donate through the official TTD portal and store your receipt safely. Above all, confirm the current rules on the TTD website before you transfer any money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apanna Hrudaya Scheme?
It is a TTD charity that sponsors free heart surgery for poor children. A donor pays ₹1 lakh, and TTD funds one child’s complete operation. The treatment takes place at the Sri Padmavathi Children’s Heart Centre in Tirupati.
How much does it cost to sponsor one child?
A single donation of ₹1 lakh sponsors one child’s full heart operation. This covers the surgery, the hospital stay, and routine post-operative care. The family pays nothing toward the treatment.
Where do the surgeries take place?
All surgeries happen at the Sri Padmavathi Children’s Heart Centre in Tirupati. The hospital runs under TTD’s SV Pranadana Trust at the old BIRRD block. It works in affiliation with SVIMS for specialist support.
Do donors receive tax benefits?
Yes. Every donation qualifies for an 80G exemption under the Income Tax Act. TTD provides an official certificate for your returns. Keep your PAN handy while donating.
What privileges does a donor get?
A donor and a family of up to five receive a one-time break darshan at Tirumala, subject to availability. Firms and trusts get the same for five persons on payment of break darshan charges. The deeper reward, of course, is saving a child’s life.
Can I donate online?
Yes. You can give through the official TTD portal at ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in. Otherwise, you may use a demand draft or contribute in person at the Tirupati office. Always collect the acknowledgement receipt afterward.
Is this the same as the ₹1 lakh donor-privilege card?
No, they differ. The donor-privilege card offers 20 years of annual darshan and accommodation for a ₹1 lakh donation. The Apanna Hrudaya Scheme instead funds a child’s heart surgery and gives a one-time break darshan.
