Ram temple trust interviews 18 candidates for first full-time CEO post

Amid the allegations of donation theft, 18 candidates have been shortlisted from a pool of over 5,200 applicants for the position of full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya

Ayodhya: The selection process for the next chief executive officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has taken an unusual turn, with over 34-question interview going beyond administrative experience to examine candidates' personal lifestyle, faith in Lord Ram and familiarity with Hindu religious practices.According to sources, the interviews lasted between 40 and 50 minutes. Candidates were questioned about their faith in Lord Ram and their understanding of Hindu religious customs. They were asked whether they kept a shikha (choti), wore a janeu and whether they were completely vegetarian or ate meat.The panel also asked candidates whether they consumed alcohol and whether they considered themselves "orthodox Hindus" or people who simply had faith in Hinduism. Questions were also asked about whether they dressed according to Hindu religious traditions.The questioning on religious practices was accompanied by questions on leadership, administrative experience and participation in religious and social activities. The selection process is aimed at finding an administrator who can manage the rapidly expanding operations of the Ram temple while also understanding the religious character of the institution.In one interview, a former IPS officer was asked whether he had read the Ramcharitmanas. Another candidate was reportedly asked to recite a chaupai from the Sundarkand. The questions were intended to assess candidates' familiarity with Hindu religious texts and traditions, sources said.All 18 shortlisted candidates reached Ayodhya on Monday night. They stayed at different locations in the temple city as directed by the trust. Among those who appeared for the interviews on Tuesday were former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey and former Jaunpur district magistrate Dinesh Chandra.The three-member selection committee comprises retired Justice Pramod Kohli, former scientist Dr Suresh Haware and retired Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi. The committee is expected to prepare a panel of three candidates from the 18 shortlisted applicants and submit it to the trust before September 2.The trust is expected to conduct the final interview before making the appointment. The name of the new CEO could be announced at the trust meeting scheduled for September 2.The 34 questions also covered the candidates' professional backgrounds and their ability to handle the administrative challenges associated with the Ram temple. Applicants were required to have at least 20 years of experience in areas including general administration, finance, human resources, public relations, information technology, security and law and order.Wife, Lover Among 3 Held For Husband's Murder In South Delhi; Victim Strangled, Given Electric ShocksLeadership and crowd management were major areas of assessment. Candidates were asked about the size of organisations they had headed and whether they had experience managing teams of 1,000 to 5,000 or more employees.The panel also sought details of major events managed by the candidates, including the number of people attending, duration, year of the event and the candidate's specific role.The interviews also examined candidates' participation in religious and social activities. The combination of professional and personal questions suggests that the trust is looking for someone who can function both as a professional administrator and as the administrative head of an institution with a strong religious identity.The age limit for the CEO post has been fixed at 50 to 70 years. The appointment will initially be for three years and may be extended on the basis of performance.Also Watch: The CEO will oversee day-to-day administration, coordination among departments, human resources, financial discipline, security, public relations, devotee facilities and crowd management. The officer will also supervise arrangements for major religious events and festivals.The general secretary will continue to remain the key administrative authority within the trust. Important financial, administrative and development decisions will remain with the trust, while the CEO will be responsible for executing its policies and decisions.

Ayodhya: The selection process for the first full-time Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust entered its final stage on Tuesday as interviews of shortlisted candidates began at the Ram temple complex in Ayodhya.A three-member selection committee started one-on-one interviews of 18 candidates on Tuesday morning. The process is expected to continue on Wednesday. The panel will subsequently recommend three names to the Trust for final consideration, with the appointment likely to be announced in the Trust meeting scheduled for September 2.Over 5,200 Applications Received For CEO PositionThe Trust had opened applications for the CEO post in early July, with the last date for submission set as July 18. More than 5,200 applications were received from across the country. After nearly 20 days of detailed scrutiny, the selection committee shortlisted 18 candidates for the interview round.The shortlist includes retired bureaucrats, former senior corporate executives, retired defence officials, and a few candidates with experience in managing large temples and religious trusts, including from South India.The interviews are being conducted by a high-level three-member panel comprising Justice Pramod Kohli, a retired Supreme Court judge, Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, who is retired from the Army, and Suresh Haware, a retired nuclear scientist and former chairperson of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi.The panel is holding closed-door interviews at the pilgrim facilitation centre within the Ram temple complex. All 18 candidates have reached Ayodhya for the interviews.CEO To Oversee Temple Administration And OperationsThe Trust had laid down clear eligibility criteria for the CEO position. Candidates must be Indian citizens, practising Hindus, and graduates between 50 and 70 years of age. They should have a minimum of 20 years of experience in administration, finance or management. Prior experience in managing temples or religious institutions has been given preference.Fluency in both Hindi and English is mandatory. The selected candidate will be required to reside in Ayodhya during the tenure and is expected to be a strict vegetarian and teetotaller, adhering to Hindu traditions.The CEO will be appointed initially for a three-year term. The person appointed to the post will be responsible for overseeing the overall management of the Ram temple affairs, including administrative, financial and operational matters.Appointment Seen As Key Step After Donation ControversyThe recruitment drive comes against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of temple donations. The Trust had recently reconstituted a committee of seers to oversee religious affairs of the temple while the probe into the donation theft continues.The search committee held its first meeting on July 12 to finalise the eligibility criteria and selection process. Due to the large volume of applications received, the Trust deferred the selection process by about a month to allow for proper scrutiny of all candidates.Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Pilot Tests Positive In Second Dope Test: ReportsThe final interviews are taking place on August 11 and 12. After the interview round concludes, the panel will prepare a list of three recommended candidates and submit it to the Trust. The final decision on the appointment is expected to be taken in the Trust meeting on September 2.This is the first time the Ram Temple Trust is appointing a full-time CEO to manage the day-to-day administrative machinery of the temple. The appointment is seen as a crucial step in strengthening the governance structure of the Trust, especially in the wake of the recent donation controversy.The selected candidate will play a key role in ensuring transparency in temple operations, managing the growing influx of pilgrims, and overseeing the financial and administrative systems of one of the most prominent religious institutions in the country.With the interview process now underway, all eyes are on Ayodhya as the Trust moves closer to appointing its first chief executive officer.