HALF DAY HOLIDAY ON 22nd January – RAM TEMPLE Consecration Day and 6 postage stamps dedicated to Ram temple released by PM
The general election is just round the corner and the BJP led NDA government too has tightened its belt to derive maximum political mileage from the Ram Mandir issue with the main opposition Congress and India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance leaders declining the invitation to attend the consecration ceremony on January 22 nd. If we go by the news analysis the entire nation is these days influenced by the Lord Rama wave and the way majority of the media is highlighting this issue and saffron part including its frontal organisations and RSS hectically propagating this historic event it seems that the PM Modi charisma stands completely intact rather has, enhanced with the saffron party fully convinced of getting absolute majority in the ensuing elections. Meanwhile, the central government has issued a notification saying that the Ram Lala Pran Prathistha at Ayodhaya will be celebrated on 22 nd January, 2024 across India. To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all the central government offices, central institutions, and Central Industrial Establishments throughout India will be closed for half day till 14.30 hours on 22 nd January. All the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned mentioned the office memorandum signed by Praveen Margaret, Deputy secretary to the Government of India. In addition to this the prime minister Narendra Modi today released six commemorative postage stamps stamps dedicated to Shri Ram Janmbhoomi
temple along with an album carrying similar stamps related to Lord Ram issued earlier in different countries of the world was also released. Speaking on the ocassion prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated all the devotees of Lord Ram in Bharat and abroad on the occasion. Prime Minister said that we all know that these stamps are pasted on envelops to send letters or important documents. But they serve another purpose as well. Postage stamps also act as medium to pass on historical events to the future generations. So whenever you send a letter or object to someone with a postal stamp on it, you’re also sending them a piece of history. These tickets are not just a piece of paper, but smallest form of history books, artefacts and historical sites said Prime Minister Modi
He added that these commemorative stamps will also help our young generation in learning about Lord Ram and his life. He said devotion to Lord Ram has been expressed via artistic expression on these stamps and with the mention of the popular quatrain: ‘मंगल भवन अमंगल हारी’, a wish for the development of the nation has been made. The sun, the symbol of ‘Suryavanshi’ Ram, river ‘Saryu’ and internal architecture of the temple has also been depicted on these stamps. While the sun gives the message of new light in the country, picture of Saryu indicates that the country will always remain dynamic with the blessings of Ram.
The Prime Minister also praised the saints who along with the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, guided the postal department in coming up with the commemorative stamps.
The Prime Minister underlined that teachings related to Lord Ram, Maa Sita and Ramayana goes beyond the boundaries of time, society and caste and are connected to each and every individual out there. He said Ramayana which teaches about love, sacrifice, unity and courage even in the most difficult of times, connects the whole humanity. This is why Ramayana has always been the centre of the attention in the world. He said the books that were launched today are the reflection of how proudly Lord Ram, Maa Sita and Ramayana are seen across the world.
The Prime Minister said countries like America, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Fiji,
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Thailand, Guyana, Singapore are among the many nations which have issued postal stamps with great interest on the life events of Lord Ram. He said the newly-launched album with all the information about Lord Shri Ram and the stories of Mother Janaki will give us an insight into their lives. It will also tell us how Lord Ram is an equally great icon outside India and how even in modern times nations, his character is appreciated.
The Prime Minister said Maharishi Valmiki’s invocation is even immortal today in which he said: यावत् स्थास्यंति गिरयः, सरितश्च महीतले। तावत् रामायणकथा, लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति॥ It means that the story of Ramayana will prevail among the people as long as there are mountains and rivers on earth. So, will be the Lord Ram’s personality.
The UP CM Yogi Aditya Nath and former governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik were also presented on this ocassion.
