Ayodhya (UP), Sep 4: “The responsibility of Ram temple is now on my shoulders,” Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) said on Friday, two days after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed him its first CEO to oversee the management and operations of the Ayodhya temple.
“I have now taken charge as the CEO. The responsibility (of the Ram temple) has now come onto my shoulders,” he told PTI Videos before leaving for Delhi after his two-day visit to Ayodhya.
Air Marshal Mishra (retd), who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, was on Wednesday appointed the first CEO of the temple trust.
The trust also appointed Govind Dev Giri as general secretary, Mahesh Bhagchandka as treasurer and inducted Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav as trustees.
Mishra had earlier described himself as “the most fortunate person” to be given vital responsibilities twice in his life – once to serve the nation and now to serve Lord Ram and his devotees.
On his first visit to Ayodhya as the trust CEO, Mishra told PTI Videos, “I have only been here for one day, so this was a preliminary introductory visit. I will come here again after two or three days.”
Mishra said he used the visit to familiarise himself with the functioning of the temple, and would formulate his plans after gaining a better understanding of its operations.
“This was an introductory visit, during which I got an introduction to the functioning of the temple. Gradually, as I learn more about it, we will formulate some plans,” he said.
Mishra's appointment is part of a wider administrative overhaul by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the controversy over alleged embezzlement of temple donations, which led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as its general secretary.
Sources said the move is also aimed at strengthening its administrative and financial systems as the temple's operations expand.
Mishra, 62, retired as head of the Western Air Command on April 30, 2026. He was selected from a shortlist of three candidates after 5,585 applications were received for the post.
On Thursday, the trust members briefed Mishra on its administrative and financial operations, including accounting procedures.
He also held meetings with members and office-bearers of the trust and inquired about its functioning and that of the temple.
Sources said the trust is expected to frame standard operating procedures for the CEO, detailing his duties and responsibilities, in the coming days.
