‘Ram Ka Kaam Hai, Ismein Kya Thakna’: Ayodhya Temple Trust Secy Champat Rai on Jan 22 Schedule | Exclusive

Despite a tough schedule, back-to-back VVIP visits, including that of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, handling nearly a thousand phone calls and keeping a tab on the Ayodhya Ram Temple work, Champat Rai is not tired.

“Ram ka kaam hai, ismein kya thakna (there is no fatigue. It’s all in the name of lord Ram)," said Rai, the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra and vice-president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), as he returned to his office ‘Bharat Kuti’ at Karsewak Puram Ayodhya on Tuesday evening.

Busy with the CM’s visit to take stock of the work ahead of the Pran Pratishtha on January 22, Rai had his first meal of ‘one puri and ‘sabji’ in the evening as he spoke to News18.

For Rai, the construction of Ram Temple is one of the “most satisfying moments of his life". “It’s a dream come true for me. Seeing Ram temple being built day by day is satisfying," he told News18.

Comparing it to the day India gained Independence, Rai said, “Our feeling is possibly the same we experienced on August 15, 1947."

THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ON JAN 22

Sharing the sequence of events planned on January 22, Rai said the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple will take place at 12.20 pm. “People are requested to visit their nearby temple on the occasion of Makar Sakranti and carry out thorough cleaning of the temple. They should make arrangements for LED or television screens. The entire event will be live-streamed to the temple. People should perform bhajans and kirtans at the temple and distribute prasad to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Ram after 500 long years," said Rai.

The members of the trust have already begun distribution of the sacred ‘akshat’ (rice, grams mixed with turmeric and ghee) in different parts of Uttar Pradesh and will continue to distribute it till January 15 (Makar Sakranti). More than 7,000 guests from India and abroad, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are expected to be present for the inauguration. Over 1 lakh devotees are expected to reach Ayodhya.

‘WELCOME GUESTS WELL’

Besides, Rai also urged people of Ayodhya to receive inbound tourists on a humble note.

“Ayodhyawasis are requested to welcome the guest and tourists with an open heart. People are requested to portray a fairer picture of Ayodhya by not over charging. Autorickshaws, hotels, dharamshalas and public transport operators are requested to charge reasonably," Rai added.

“It’s a rare event as almost 500 years after Ram Lalla is going to be ‘virajman’ in Ayodhya. January 22, 2024 would be Diwali in a real sense as on that very day, the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram at the temple is slated to be held," he added.

CHEMISTRY TEACHER TO RAM TEMPLE CRUSADER

Rai’s journey from a chemistry teacher to a Ram temple crusader was not easy.

Born in 1946 in the family of Rameshwar Prasad Bansal, a resident of Mohalla Saraimer of Nagina tehsil in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district, Rai became associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), when he was very young. After completing his higher education, he became a professor of chemistry at Dhampur’s Ashram Degree College.

During the Emergency in 1977, Rai was put in jail in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement case. “He was in jail for 18 months, where was tortured and was shifted to various districts," a member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust said. “I think those 18 months changed him completely. He came out as a different person, with even stronger determination. Instead of breaking him down, those 18 months toughened him up. Soon after he was released, he bounced back and re-embarked upon his journey for establishment of Ram Temple in Ayodhya."

Rai then joined the VHP in 1980 and continued to work for society.

For those who know Rai define him as “a man who has dedicated his life to the cause of the Ram temple for 35 years, while staying away from the limelight".