{
  "id": 5137590,
  "title": "Who is Maharaj Govinddev Giri? Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust appoints new general secretary, replacing Champat Rai",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/who-is-maharaj-govinddev-giri-ayodhya-ram-temple-trust-appoints-new",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:42:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/who-is-maharaj-govinddev-giri-ayodhya-ram-temple-trust-appoints-new-general-secretary-replacing-champat-rai-11788368173573.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maharaj Govinddev Giri, formerly known as Acharya Kishoreji Madangopal Vyas, has been appointed as the new General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. This appointment succeeds Champat Rai, who resigned amidst controversy surrounding a donation theft case. Giri, born on January 25, 1949, in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, comes from a lineage steeped in spiritual learning and religious practice. He was introduced to India’s ancient traditions at a young age and completed his education under the guidance of Pandurang Shastri Aathavale, a pioneer of the Swadhyay movement. Giri has been a prominent spiritual figure since his days delivering religious discourses. His tenure as Trustee for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust began in 2020, where he oversaw fund collection and management for the temple's construction. The appointment of Giri is part of a major organizational restructuring within the Trust, which also includes the appointment of retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first Chief Executive Officer and Mahesh Bhagchandka as Treasurer.",
  "summary": "The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed Govind Dev Giri as General Secretary and announced other organisational changes following a meeting. Giri succeeded Champat Rai amid a donation theft case, while retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra became the Trust’s first CEO.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "It’s the thought that counts! Chennai woman gave Ayodhya Ram Temple ₹4 crore cheque, had ₹3 in account",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/its-the-thought-that-counts-chennai-woman-gave-ayodhya-ram-temple-4",
        "published": "2026-09-01T13:35:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}