On the eve of the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, President Droupadi Murmu, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the celebratory atmosphere across the country was an “uninhibited expression of the eternal soul of India”.
“As you [Mr. Modi] prepare yourself to go for Pran Pratishtha of Prabhu Shri Ram’s murti (idol) at the new temple built at his birthplace in Ayodhya, I can only contemplate the unique civilisational journey that will be accomplished with each step taken by you in the hallowed precincts,” Ms. Murmu wrote.
Referring to the 11-day rigorous anushthan that the Prime Minister has undertaken, she said it was not only a sacred ritual but also a supreme spiritual act of sacrifice and submission to Lord Ram. Sending heartfelt wishes, the President said, “The nationwide celebratory atmosphere around the inauguration of the grand temple of Prabhu Shri Ram at Ayodhya Dham is an uninhibited expression of the eternal soul of India. We all are fortunate to witness the commencement of a new cycle in resurgence of our nation.”
The temple, Ms. Murmu said, will bring closer to people the universal values that Lord Rama represents such as courage, compassion, and constant focus on duty.
“Prabhu Shri Ram signifies the best aspects of our cultural and spiritual heritage. 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,” she said.
The President said Mahatma Gandhi derived strength from Ramanama till his last breath and quoted him as saying: “Though my reason and heart long ago realised the highest attribute and name of God as truth, I recognise truth by the name of Rama. In the darkest hour of my trial, that one name has saved me and is still saving me.”
She said Lord Ram’s message of treating everyone with love and dignity, irrespective of their social background, also appealed to the intellect of path-breaking thinkers. His focus on justice and welfare of the people, too, is reflected in the governance outlook of the country, the President said.
In fact, as an illustration of this, “you [the Prime Minister] recently released the first instalment of various benefits to the people of vulnerable tribal communities under the PM-JANMAN initiative”, she said.
“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,” the President wrote.
