PM MODI'S INNOVATIVE IDEAS ARE WAY AHEAD OF THEIR TIME!

Concern for the last man in the row - Dhansukh Solanki, Journalist, Gujarat

When Raan Utsav took wings in Dhordo, camel riding became a popular tourist attraction and the need for a large number of camels arose. There were discussions to hire a permanent contractor to ensure adequate supply of the desert ship to cater to tourist influx. At this time, CM Modi said, how is that going to benefit the locals of the area? We need to ensure the local populace earns through tourism. He asked the banks to provide loans to those who apply and help them buy camels. Let them pay back in installments. This was a sure shot way to raise the income and living standards of the people of the nearby villages.

Similarly, when the tent city concept became a success, there were talks of appointing a permanent contractor as the tents got damaged every year after use and transportation. Here too then CM Narendra Modi said, if we hire a contractor, how will the poor locals benefit? Let us build traditional houses/huts alongside the houses of the locals here and promote them as a staying option for tourists which can be made available for a traditional experience to those who wish to pay for the same. This way the maintenance of the tents would be easy and it will also augment the income of the locals.

Such innovative ideas of Modi ji, which were ahead of time, surprised everyone and later became huge successes.

PM Modi's indelible role evident in every aspect of Ram Mandir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t just inaugurate the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and participate in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla, the temple has been close to his heart from the very beginning. All through the construction of the temple in the last three years, he gave his invaluable suggestions to make it the best in all aspects.

One of the major concerns was building the foundation of the temple. Since it was being built on the banks of the Saryu river, the soil was soft which could weaken the foundation in the long run. The problem was compounded because no iron was being used in the construction and a cement structure would not be able to sustain the projected longevity of the building.

The PM, as soon as he came to know of this peculiar problem, formed a committee of experts to find a solution to it. According to the suggestions of the panel, several layers of the underlying surface or plinth were first built groundup. On top of them a strong granite surface was laid. The result of this innovation was that the foundation of the temple became so strong that it could stay rock solid for thousands of years.

Lord Ram belonged to the Suryavanshi clan. That Ram Lalla gets the blessings of the Sun god on Ram Navami was the PM’s idea. CSIR was roped in and it devised such a way that every year on the auspicious day of Ram Navami, Ram Lalla will have Surya Tilak as envisaged by the PM.

Modi ji was also involved in finalising the shape and structure of the temple so that it adhered to Indian cultural history of temple design. He studied various temples in different parts of the country and adopted the Naagra style. The engineers working on the temple’s design were surprised with the insight of the PM. So, ultimately, the style and structure of the temple came out to be such that every Indian could identify with it. It proved to be a culmination of all that is best in India’s temple design heritage.

All the people and characters associated with the life of Lord Ram are a part of his life history and instrumental in shaping up his actions and character. That they should be adequately represented in the temple dedicated to Lord Ram was again PM Modi’s idea. It was not just a symbolic representation but also representative of the harmony that Lord Ram stood for and felt in sync with. That is why, the temple was finally adorned with idols of the likes of Vishwamitra, Valmiki, Bharadwaj, Sabri, Nishad, to complete the life of Ram. Thus due to the PM’s suggestion, the temple became an example of national integrity and unified identity of its people across the barriers of caste and creed.

It was with the same vision of national unity that PM Modi ensured everyone contributed to the Ram Mandir, be it poor or rich, and everyone’s participation was acknowledged and appreciated.

The PM was also concerned about the convenience and ease of devotees and the sanctity and purity of the Garbha Griha. He was very clear, let us have a system, like the one we have at Somnath Mandir in Gujarat. There no one enters the ‘Garbha Griha’ except the designated pujaris (priests). I think the same should be emulated here. By this, the purity of the space is maintained. He also asked, what would be the arrangements for the physically challenged? How will they reach Ram Lalla?

When such questions come from his side, it only goes to show his concerns, his deep involvement and broad visions for the temple and also the welfare and convenience of his people.

It was all because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that today Ayodhya is growing into an international standard city. Three railway stations of world standard, a big international airport, spic and span roads, temple corridor, beautified ghats and gardens, there is no aspect that has remained untouched to make Ayodhya an ideal and enviable temple city. And in all this, the role of PM Modi remains indelible.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA