Vice President elect M Venkaiah Naidu today offered prayers at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala of Andhra Pradesh.

“I hail from a farmer’s family. It is because of the love of the people and the benign blessings of Lord Venkateswara that I have become the Vice President of the country today. I will begin a new chapter as I take over the august post, which is the second highest position of the Indian constitution,” said an elated Naidu while offering prayers to Lord Venkateswara.

He was accompanied by his family and stayed at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) guest house on the hills on Sunday.

I have been visiting the Tirumala temple since I was in class 8. Everything that I have attained in my life is with the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. I get new energy and inspiration each time I offer prayers here,” said Naidu while addressing the media outside the temple.

Venkaiah Naidu thanked everyone who supported him and said he loves to be with the people. “Even after I assume charge as the Vice President of India, I will try to reach out to the people as per protocol. I prayed to the almighty for nation and its people,” he added.

Naidu, the NDA nominee, was on August 5 elected as India’s next Vice President, receiving an overwhelming two-third votes against opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi. He secured 516 votes as against 244 got by Opposition candidate.

Naidu will take oath of his office on August 11 as the term of incumbent Hamid Ansari ends on August 10.