Agencies | Lucknow:
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, who served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed the first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday following a meeting of the Trust in Ayodhya, marking a significant change in its administrative structure. Mishra retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30, 2026, after a career spanning nearly four decades.
Mishra’s appointment followed an extensive selection process. The Trust’s search committee received 5,585 applications, shortlisted candidates through multiple stages and eventually recommended a panel of three names to the Trust, which selected Mishra for the post.
A former fighter pilot, Mishra served in several senior positions during his Indian Air Force career and ultimately headed the Western Air Command. He was the Western Air Command chief during Operation Sindoor and retired as an Air Marshal in April this year.
As CEO, Mishra will be responsible for the Trust’s day-to-day administrative functioning, including coordination of pilgrim facilities, staff, finances, infrastructure and other operational responsibilities associated with the temple complex. Reports indicate that the position carries an initial three-year term and requires the CEO to be based in Ayodhya.
In another major organisational change, Swami Govind Dev Giri has been appointed the new General Secretary of the Trust. He previously served as its treasurer.
The Trust also appointed Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav as new trustees, filling three vacant positions. Mahesh Bhagchandka has also been given responsibility as the Trust’s treasurer.
Dr Nirmala Yadav, a retired college principal from Shikohabad, is the first woman to join the Trust as a trustee. Madan Mohan Pandey is from Ayodhya, while Bhagchandka is based in Delhi.
The appointments come at a time when the Trust is strengthening its administrative framework as the Ram Temple complex expands and manages an increasingly large number of devotees and associated activities.
Mishra’s transition from a senior military command to the leadership of the temple Trust brings extensive experience in administration, operational planning, coordination and management to the institution.
The new appointments are expected to provide a more structured administrative framework for the management and functioning of the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya.
