Yogi says Ram temple’s portrayal has done the state proud
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh’s tableau depicting the Ram temple at this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi was adjudged the best and awarded by Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday, the defence ministry said.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the tableau portraying the Ram temple had made the state proud, a state government statement said.
The theme of Uttar Pradesh’s tableau was “Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh”. The cultural heritage of ancient holy town Ayodhya, replica of Ram temple, glimpse of “Deepotsav” and various stories from the Ramayana epic were depicted in the tableau.
The first part of the tableau showed Maharishi Valmiki writing the Ramayana. Its centre had a model of the upcoming Ram temple in Ayodhya.
When UP’s Ram temple tableau passed by, many among the spectators, including ministers, stood up and applauded, while many chanted “Jai Shri Ram”, said the statement.
The statement also said Yogi Adityanath expressed immense joy as Uttar Pradesh’s tableau
displayed the state’s cultural city of Ayodhya and the divine Ram temple during this year’s Republic Day parade at Rajpath.
Yogi further congratulated the people of the state on receiving the first prize for the tableau and said that it was a moment of great pride and ecstasy.
“The tableau represented the grandeur of the Ram temple even to those millions who watched the parade virtually. For the first time, the tableau will be taken from Delhi to Luc
sent a cheque for Rs 1.11 lakh in favour of Shri Ram Janmabhoomni Teerth Kshetra Trust to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a letter urging for peace during the VHP’s fund-raising campaign.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya donated his 11 months’ salary amounting to Rs 11 lakh for construction of the Ram temple.
Along with his contribution, Maurya also handed over a cheque for Rs 1.10 crore, the amount contributed by employees of the Public Works Department, of which he is the minister.
Maurya made the contribution in Prayagraj at an event in which he said that he was first a Ram bhakt and later deputy chief minister of the state.
The Lalji Tandon Foundation has contributed Rs 5 lakh. Ashutosh Tandon, president of the Foundation, who is also cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, handed over the cheque to senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale on January 16.
Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government, and his wife Abhilasha, who is also Prayagraj mayor, donated Rs 1.25 crore.
Surendra Bahadur Singh, former MLA of Tezgaon in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli district, contributed Rs 1.11 crore. He handed over the cheque to Champat Rai.
Among Bollywood actors, Akshay Kumar has also donated for the Ram temple. But he has not disclosed the amount. In a video posted by the actor on his social media pages, Kumar said: “It is a matter of great pleasure that the construction of our grand temple of Shri Ram has begun in Ayodhya. Now it is our turn to contribute. I have started, hopefully you will also join. Jai Siyaram.” Kumar is also starring in a movie titled “Ram Setu”.
From the sports fraternity, cricketer- turned- politician Gautam Gambhir, who is the BJP MP from East Delhi, has donated Rs 1 crore.
“A glorious Ram temple has been the dream of all Indians. Finally, this long-standing issue has been put to rest. This will pave the way for unity and tranquillity. A small contribution from me and my family has been made in this endeavour,” said Gambhir in a statement.
Prominent katha vachak (religious preacher) Morari Bapu has donated Rs 5 crore, and his followers abroad have also expressed their willingness to contribute.
The Mahavir Mandir Trust of Patna has also announced to donate Rs 10 crore. It has already donated Rs 2 crore and will donate the remaining amount in instalments of Rs 2 crore every year or as per the instructions of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Kishore Kunal is founder secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Trust.