The temple town of Ayodhya is set to get its very first Chief Executive Officer for the grand Ram Mandir, and the response to the vacancy has been overwhelming. According to sources, the three-member selection panel's designated email address had already received more than 1,000 applications by late Tuesday night. The window to apply stays open until 4 PM on July 18, so the tally is widely expected to run into several thousand before the deadline closes. The appointee will be the first person ever to hold this post at the temple, which is why the entire process is being closely watched across the country.
A Decision Born Out Of A Donation Theft Scandal
The push for a professional CEO traces back to a donation theft incident at the Ram Mandir that triggered considerable alarm. In response, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust called an important meeting to discuss tightening the temple's administration. The trust decided to remove its general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra, and resolved to appoint a dedicated CEO to run a more transparent management system for the temple.
Who Is On The Selection Panel
To pick the right candidate, the trust has set up a three-member selection committee. It includes retired Supreme Court Justice Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Havre, who spent several years managing the Shirdi Sai Baba Dham. This panel will oversee everything from screening applications to finalising the appointment.
How The Screening, Interviews And Final Appointment Will Work
The recruitment notification went out on Monday, and within just 24 hours more than 750 applications had already poured in. That number has since climbed to over 1,000. With applications open until 4 PM on July 18, the total is expected to swell into the thousands by the time the window shuts. On July 19, the selection committee will screen every eligible application against the laid-down criteria. Candidates who clear this shortlisting will then be scheduled for online interviews. Once the interview round wraps up, the committee will pick one eligible candidate and hand them the responsibility of managing the Ram Mandir.
