By Pragya Kaushika
New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has almost completed most of its meetings to review its preparations for fund collection drive for the construction of Ram temple in Prants (provinces) and blocks and has decided to expand its reach to 5.25 lakh villages and 13 crore families with an aim to construct the temple and its surroundings in 108 acres.
VHP working international president Alok Kumar had said earlier that the aim was to reach four lakh villages and 11 crore families.
“During review meetings, we found that we would eventually be reaching out to 5.25 lakh villages and 13 crore families and with donations of 65 crore Hindus, the temple will be constructed,” said Kumar.
The VHP has said the drive will begin from January 15, 2021 and will go on till February 27.
“We are trying to expand the temple premises to 108 acres from 70 acres,” added Kumar.
The temple building construction committee met on Tuesday to finalise technology and design of foundation of the temple.
By a rough estimate, there would be approximately 10 lakh teams across the country, with each team having five people. Many would be staying out for collection for minimum of 14 days and a maximum of one month.
“From that team of five, one will be a tagged depositor whose task would be to deposit collection every 48 hours. We wanted the system to be transparent and there would be a coupon system and receipts. It is white money and if someone wants to give more than Rs 20,000 then we would request to give amount through cheque. Three banks – State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bank of Baroda have been involved,” added Kumar.
The movement in the 1980s involved struggle with the Centre and state to fight to get the temple constructed. “This time we are going ahead with positivity,” added Kumar.
“Today is the meeting for the foundation of the temple. We tested and got to know that there is a stream of Sarayu underneath. We need to have a foundation which lasts 1,000 years. We approached Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Roorkee and Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Mumbai for this purpose,” he added.
The Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teertha Kshetra trust was constituted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, after the Supreme Court of India’s verdict on November 9 in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, which settled the long-festering religious issue and allowed the building of a temple at the site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ayodhya on August 5 to attend the ‘Bhoomi pujan’ at Ram Janmbhoomi site.
Ram temple foundation laying work likely to begin in January: Champat Rai, general secretary, Ram Janmbhoomi Trust
The first month of 2021 will see the commencement of the foundation laying work for the grand Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
Champat Rai, general secretary, Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust while informing about the meeting of the temple construction committee that took place today to discuss foundation-laying work with scientists and engineers said that within 15 days foundation work at the temple site is likely to begin.
“Bhot bada homework hua hai (we have almost completed our mega homework),” quipped Rai when asked about today’s meeting.
While it has been months that Bhoomi Pujan for the temple was performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an expert committee has been brainstorming on laying a robust foundation that will remain intact for centuries.
The committee constituted for ensuring seamless foundation laying is awaiting the report on soil, its strength and solidity including other technical aspects for a strong foundation. This study is being undertaken by Hyderabad located National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).
“This discussion is at the fag end and suggestions of NGRI will be taken as final for foundation work to begin,” informed Rai.
He further added that Hyderabad based National Geophysical Research Institute which is a government organisation is working in Ayodhya with 14 of its technicians.
“They will study the soil and earth for eight days. They are clicking photographs. The report can take 15 days. Once scientists from NGRI finalise their study, they will be sent to the institute. Experts will sit again and deliberate. Larsen and Turbo and Tata consulting engineers have heard all and will assess comprehensively,” added Rai.
The Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust members who are also part of the temple construction committee have been entrusted with the construction of a grand ram temple at Ayodhya, want the grandeur of the temple to be unmatchable with a foundation so robust that it can remain intact for 1000 years.
Hence, the focus on details and the involvement of experts from various prestigious institutions.
“The land on which Ayodhya temple is to be constructed has some special conditions/ features. Like, it is on the banks of Saryu river and experts believe that there is a stream of Saryu still flowing underneath. How deep it runs and if in 200 years if there is a flood what will be the result then. Today we don’t have an earthquake in Ayodhya but what if it feels the jolt in coming years. We need to think hundreds of years ahead,” said general secretary of Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Present in today’s meeting were retired director of IIT Delhi Prof VS Raju, IIT Guwahati director TG Sitarama, IIT Chennai Manu Santhanam, Pradipt Banerjee of IIT Mumbai, NIT Surat director Prof SR Gandhi, CBRI Roorkee director N Gopal Krishnan and engineers of Tata and L& T and Akshardham’s swami Brahm Bihari, members of construction Committee and trustees of Ramjanmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust were present. “There were 12 people online participating in this meeting,” said Rai.
After the Supreme Court gave the verdict for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Prime minister Narendra Modi performed Bhoomi Pujan for the temple on August 5 at the temple site. (ANI)
