Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone in the city of Ayodhya on Saturday, December 30, as he inaugurated the Maharshi Valmiki International Airport and unveiled the revamped Ayodhya Dham railway station. This auspicious event unfolded mere weeks before the eagerly anticipated consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, scheduled for January 22, 2024.
Addressing the nation from the holy city of Lord Ram, PM Narendra Modi appealed to the 140 crore citizens of India with a heartfelt request. He urged all households to illuminate a ‘Shri Ram Jyoti’ on January 22, aligning with the momentous occasion of the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister’s call resonated with a plea for the entire nation to celebrate Deepawali on that evening, envisioning a radiant India on the eve of the consecration.
VIDEO | “The date – December 30 – has always been historic for India. It was on this day in 1943 when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the (Indian) flag in Andaman (and Nicobar Islands) to announce India’s freedom,” says PM @narendramodi in Ayodhya.
(Full video available on… pic.twitter.com/wLEUnAiZqp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2023
Accompanying Prime Minister Modi at the inauguration were Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnav and Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, signifying the collective importance attached to the event.
“This historic moment has very fortunately come into our lives. We have to make a new resolve for the country and fill ourselves with new energy. For this, I urge all the 140 crore countrymen to light Shri Ram Jyoti in their homes on January 22 and celebrate Deepavali,” the Prime Minister said.
“The date–December 30–has always been historic for India. It was on this day in 1943 when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the flag (Indian) in Andaman (and Nicobar Islands) to announce India’s freedom,” he said”Today, the foundation stone of development works worth more than Rs 15 thousand crore has been laid and inaugurated here. These infrastructure-related works will once again establish modern Ayodhya with pride on the map of the country. Today’s India is beautifying its pilgrimage sites and is also immersed in the world of digital technology,” he added.
“After the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram here, there will be a huge increase in the number of people coming here. Keeping this in mind, our government is carrying out development work worth thousands of crores of rupees in Ayodhya and is making Ayodhya smart. Today, I have the privilege of inaugurating Ayodhya Dham Airport and Railway Station. I am happy that Ayodhya Airport has been named after Maharishi Valmiki. Maharishi Valmiki introduced us to the works of Lord Ram through the Ramayana,” he said.
“At present, Ayodhya Dham railway station has a capacity to serve 10-15 thousand people. After the complete development of the station, 60 thousand people will be able to commute to Ayodhya Dham railway station every day,” he added.
The Prime Minister said today’s India is beautifying its pilgrimage sites and is also immersed in the world of digital technology.
“Whatever be the country in the world if it has to reach new heights of development, it will have to take care of its heritage. Ram Lala was there in a tent, today pucca house has been given to not only Ram Lala but also to the four crore poor of the country….The campaign for making India a developed country is getting new energy from Ayodhya,” he said.
Distinguished personalities who have been invited to grace the consecration ceremony include actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia, renowned for portraying Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in the iconic TV series ‘Ramayana.’ Industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Ratan Tata, cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, as well as Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, are among the notable invitees.
VIDEO | “I urge the 140 crore people of India to light a ‘Shree Ram Jyoti’ in their houses on January 22 when the Ram temple consecration takes place in Ayodhya,” says PM @narendramodi in Ayodhya.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/30yP8RGCCZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2023
The Ram Mandir Trust has extended invitations to over 7,000 guests, including 3,000 VIPs. Noteworthy attendees encompass families of the karsevaks who sacrificed their lives during the temple movement. Additionally, 4,000 dignitaries representing seers, writers, journalists, scientists, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) president Mohan Bhagwat, yoga guru Ramdev, and eminent figures from across the nation have been included in the list of invitees.
As Ayodhya prepares to witness the consecration of the Ram Temple, the inauguration of key infrastructural developments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi further underlines the historical significance of this moment for the nation.
(With inputs from ANI)
