Invitation to ‘Pran Pratishtha’ at Ayodhya's Ram temple currently the biggest calling card, status symbol in India
Vibha Sharma
Chandigarh, January 20
Opposition leaders may have declined due to individual political compulsions but the invitation to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 is currently the biggest calling card, the biggest status symbol in the country.
The day will see some of the biggest names in politics, industry, spirituality, cinema and sports converge in Ayodhya—a once-dusty and laid-back town that has transformed into a vibrant city of international stature with a booming economy. Officials expect devotees from abroad also to start pouring in.
The selection for invitation has been done with care and much consideration.
It will be a prestigious gathering of powerful political leaders, industrialists, businessmen, religious gurus and celebrities from many fields. Grand preparations are under way for the event, which is being seen as an important significant milestone for the country. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited kin of ‘karsevaks’ (volunteers) who died in the police firing in 1990.
“To be invited to the invite-only event is like some status symbol, it means you are a person of stature and importance. The stamp and approval of the BJP is also evident, making the invitations even more important,” say observers.
Invite-only ceremony
With wealthy, influential invitees from India and abroad descending on Ayodhya on the day, private jet parking lots at Ayodhya and adjoining airports in Varanasi and Gorakhpur are full. According to reports, around 100 private jets are expected at the Ayodhya airport on the day.
The day will see India’s most powerful man—Prime Minister Narendra Modi—richest men like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, influential persons like RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, top politicians, cricket and cinema stars converge at the spot. “To build a ‘divya’, ‘bhavya’ Ram Temple was a key campaign promise of the BJP and no stone has been left unturned to ensure that the event is spectacular and grand,” say officials.
As the once sleepy, dusty and laid ack temple town becomes a major pilgrimage hotspot, the economy is booming and property prices skyrocketing. Actor Amitabh Bachchan has also bought a piece of land there, adding to the story of Ayodhya, which is a long way from where it was a few years back—a neglected town with narrow streets and open sewers.
Top-notch security
Elaborate security arrangements are in place in the temple town as eminent personalities from India and abroad arrive there.
On Friday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made his third visit to Ayodhya within 11 days and instructed officials to ensure robust security and logistic arrangements for the ceremony.
According to reports, 10,000 CCTV cameras have been installed in the entire district, some of which are also AI-powered. A three-layered security cordon of the Special Security Force (a dedicated force of the UP government to guard temples and vital installations), CRPF, PAC and UP Police will guard the temple.
Trained by National Security Guard, SSF commandos have taken positions in and around the temple complex. The CRPF, which has been guarding the site since the early nineties, will be deployed in the main temple area, according to media reports.
Be patient, people told
Meanwhile, Adityanath has urged people to show patience while planning their visit to Ayodhya, asking them not to come on foot amid cold weather conditions prevailing currently.
Earlier, PM Modi had also appealed to people not to come to Ayodhya on the ‘Pran Prathishta’ day and plan their visits from a day after the event. “I have a request to all. Everyone has a wish to come to Ayodhya to be a part of the event on January 22. But you know it is not possible for everyone to come. Therefore, I request all Ram devotees that once the formal programme is done, they should come to Ayodhya at their convenience, and not make up their minds to come to Ayodhya on January 22,” he was quoted as saying.
