"Blessings Of Lord Ram": Air Force Veteran To NDTV On Temple Trust Role - NDTV

**Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, a retired Indian Air Force officer, has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJTK), the statutory body entrusted with building and managing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.** The decision, announced by the Union Ministry of Culture in early July, follows the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict that cleared the way for construction of the temple on the contested site. Mishra, who retired as an Air Marshal after a distinguished career spanning four decades, will head a Trust that also includes a diverse panel of trustees – a woman professor, an Ayodhya‑based lawyer and a Delhi businessman – reflecting an effort to blend administrative expertise with local representation.

Speaking to NDTV after his selection, Mishra said he seeks the “blessings of Lord Ram” as he assumes his new responsibilities. He emphasized that the Trust’s immediate priorities are to **ensure transparency**, adhere to the construction timeline set by the government, and maintain fiscal discipline while overseeing the massive architectural and logistical undertaking. “Our mandate is not just to build a shrine, but to restore faith in an institution that must operate with the highest standards of accountability,” he told the channel, adding that the Trust will regularly publish audit reports and engage independent consultants for quality assurance.

The appointment has drawn varied reactions across the political spectrum. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the move, calling Mishra’s military background a “perfect fit” for the project’s scale and sensitivity. In contrast, opposition leader Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party warned that any misstep could be seen as “Ram dhan ki chori,” urging the Trust to avoid any perception of financial impropriety. As the Trust begins its work, observers note that its success will hinge not only on architectural completion but also on its ability to navigate communal expectations and uphold the transparency promised by its new CEO.