In letter to PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu calls Ram Temple consecration ‘expression of eternal soul of India’

“As you prepare yourself to go for the Pran Pratishtha of Prabhu Shri Ram’s murti at the new temple built in His birthplace, Ayodhya Dham, I can only contemplate the unique civilisational journey that will be accomplished with each step taken by you in the hallowed precincts,” President Murmu said in the letter, also making a mention of the “11-day rigorous anushthan” that the PM has undertaken ahead of the ceremony.

“As you head to Ayodhya Dham, I send my heartfelt wishes to you,” the note said, calling the celebratory atmosphere around the inauguration as an uninhibited expression of “the eternal soul of India”. The President added, “We all are fortunate to witness the commencement of a new cycle in the resurgence of our nation.”

The President also extolled the universal values that Lord Ram represents, such as courage, compassion and constant focus on duty, and how these “will be taken closer to the people through this magnificent temple”.

“Prabhu Shri Ram signifies the best aspects of our cultural and spiritual heritage,” the letter said, “Above all, he represents the good which is in constant battle with evil”. His life and principles have influenced many episodes of our history and inspired nation builders. Mahatma Gandhi Ji derived strength from Ramanama till his last breath, says the note.

Murmu also mentioned Lord Ram’s message of treating everyone with love and dignity, irrespective of their social background, and how it also appealed to the intellect of path-breaking thinkers.

Talking about Ram’s focus on justice and welfare of the people, President Murmu made a mention of Modi government’s PM-JANMAN initiative for the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), under which the PM recently released the first instalment of Rs 540 crore for PVTGs.

“It was heartening to see you invoke Mata Shabari in your address on that occasion as well. Indeed, she would be doubly happy to see Prabhu Shri Ram’s temple as well as the welfare of the people,” Murmu remarked, concluding her note with “Siyavar Ramachandra Ki Jai!”

On January 12, President Murmu received the invitation for the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled for January 22. The invitation to the President was given by Nripendra Misra, Chairman, Ram temple construction committee and working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Alok Kumar. The two were also accompanied by senior leader of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Ram Lal.

The president expressed immense joy on receiving the invitation and said that she will soon decide the time to come and visit Ayodhya, said a statement by the VHP.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had demanded that President Murmu be asked to perform the January 22 consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as it was a matter of “national pride” and pertained to the “country’s self-respect”

The former Maharashtra Chief Minister also wrote to President Murmu, inviting her to participate in an aarti at Kalaram temple in Nashik on the day of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

However, on Monday evening, President Murmu will present the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 19 children for their exceptional achievements, an official statement said. The children, comprising nine boys and 10 girls, hail from 18 States and Union Territories, including two aspirational districts.