'Need to learn from past, but...': New Ram Temple CEO Jeetendra Mishra on donation theft case

Jeetendra Mishra says his 43 years in the Indian Air Force gave him the discipline and experience he needs to become the first chief executive officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Mishra, a retired air marshal, told Hindustan Times that he felt “full of gratitude” after receiving the opportunity to serve the Shri Ram Temple and its devotees. He said he had served in uniform from the age of 17 until 60, including his time at the National Defence Academy, and described the appointment as a rare privilege.

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I am full of gratitude, and I consider myself a very fortunate person.

Asked why he applied for the position among thousands of candidates, Mishra said his aim was to serve the nation and its people. “Lord Ram does not require my service,” he said. “It’s the nation and the people who require my service.”

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Lord Ram does not require my service. It’s the nation and the people who require my service.

Mishra said he would not develop a strategy alone. His approach would depend on guidance from the trust and cooperation with the wider team, with team spirit as the central principle. He added that managerial processes remain broadly similar across organizations, but must be adapted to the task.

On the alleged donation theft, Mishra said the organization should learn from what happened without allowing the past to become a burden. He said he hoped to join the existing team and help improve its work. He also said the qualities sought in the CEO, including discipline, hard work and integrity, were broadly the same qualities required of the other applicants.

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We need to learn lessons from the past, but do not let the past burden us.