In meeting with workers who built Ram Temple, PM Modi showers rose petals, thanks them for ‘punya ka kaam’
Carrying a basket full of rose petals in one hand, PM Narendra Modi moved through the rows where the workers were sitting on chairs, showering petals on each one.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi showers flower petals on 'shramjeevis' who contributed to the construction of the Ram Mandir, after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. (PTI)
“Aap sabne punya ka kaam kiya hai (you have done a pious job),” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, speaking to a group of over 400 people representing the workforce of 5,000 men, who are building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. As a gesture of gratitude, Modi, after the rituals of idol consecration were over, showered rose petals on each worker – ranging from artisans to project managers.
The group included 150 workers and 150 staff members of Larsen & Toubro and 50 staff members of Tata Consulting Engineers. While L&T is the construction company, Tata Engineers provided project management consultancy for the construction.
Two other key persons the PM met are Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor from Bengaluru who made the Ram idol, and Sharad Babu of Anuradha Timbers, Hyderabad, who carved the main doors of the temple.
You’ve Read Your Free Stories For Now
Sign up and keep reading more stories that matter to you.
Modi met the men around 3.20 pm, shortly after visiting the lord Shiva temple at Kuber Teela. Carrying a basket full of rose petals in one hand, he moved through the rows where the workers were sitting on chairs, showering petals on each one.
L&T Deputy General Manager Srinivas A, who was in the group, recalled the PM as saying, “Aap sab se milne aaya hoon. Aap sabne punya ka kaam kiya hai. Aur kuchh bhi banna hai, jaise tez gati se abhi banaya hai, aage bhi banayein (I have come to meet all of you. You have done a pious job. More has to be built. The way you have completed this work at the earliest, continue the work in the future).”
Srinivas said the PM stayed with them for five-ten minutes and thanked them for completing the work in record time to ensure the consecration happened as per schedule.
A senior official said the background and personal details of each labourer, contractor and artisan who met the PM were verified for security reasons. The workers included project directors, section in-charges and construction managers.
Story continues below this ad
Srinivas said more than 5,000 people are engaged in the construction, including skilled and unskilled workers and artisans. There’s also a workshop nearby where work for carving and inscription is being done.
Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution.
Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.
Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More
