IAF veteran, Delhi businessman, lawyer, RSS worker: Meet Ram Temple Trust’s new faces

Ayodhya's Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has introduced a new leadership team, appointing a retired Air Marshal, a businessman, and a lawyer to key positions in an effort to bolster the administration of the Ram Temple. At a series of meetings on Wednesday, the trust announced the appointments of retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first chief executive officer (CEO) for a three-year tenure, the elevation of treasurer Govind Dev Giri to the role of full-time general secretary, and the inclusion of Delhi-based businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka as the new treasurer.

Mishra, an IAF veteran and former fighter combat leader, retired as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command on April 30. Mishra played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan, and was awarded a medal for distinguished service of exceptional order for his contributions during the conflict.

Mahesh Bhagchandka, a businessman and founder of the M2K Group, has been appointed as the trust's treasurer, with Bhagchandka also leading the Ashok Singhal Foundation and being related to former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal.

In addition to these new appointments, Madan Mohan Pandey, a former additional advocate general of Uttar Pradesh and key figure in the legal battle over the Ram Janmabhoomi case, has been named as a new member of the trust. Meanwhile, Nirmala Yadav, a former principal of PG College in Shikohabad and a long-time member of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), has become the trust's first woman trustee.