Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Ram Mandir Trust

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed Air Marshal (retd.) Jeetendra Mishra, who commanded the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, as its first chief executive officer.

The retired air marshal learned of his selection through news reports rather than direct notification from the trust, he told The Hindu. Officials announced the appointment on Wednesday.

Selection from thousands of applicants

Mishra's name emerged from a shortlist of three candidates evaluated from 5,585 applications. A search committee headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli, with retired Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware as members, submitted its final report to Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday.

Committee secretary Sameer Panda said the panel had recommended "three highly qualified professionals" after assessing their leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision.

First CEO role created amid scandal

The appointment follows controversy over alleged embezzlement of temple donations that resulted in the arrest of eight people and forced the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary. The creation of the CEO position marks a structural change for the trust, which had not previously held such a role.

Air Marshal (retd.) Mishra's operational background includes heading the Western Air Command, a critical formation responsible for air operations along India's western borders.

Source: The Hindu