- This article
presents views on Ayodhya, before and after Pran Pratishta. One is by a resident
and another by a techie whose family lives in Ayodhya but he does not.
For nearly
500 years, ever since destruction of the Sri Ram Mandir Ayodhya was in strife,
more so from the 1980s. It attracted devotees mainly from the state, app 25000
per day. The numbers swelled up during Ram Navami and Diwali. After the 2019
Supreme Court order on building the Ram Mandir there was a rush to move Ram
Lalla from a tent to the grand mandir and upgrade the infrastructure of
Ayodhya.
Post Pran
Pratishtha it has become a prime pilgrimage destination for Hindus worldwide
including residents of South Korea and countries of Southeast Asia where the
Ramayan was popular.
Post 2019
Ayodhya was under national spotlight to see what the government would develop
the city. The Pran Pratishtha on January 22, 2024 brought Indians from across
the world. For those who travelled all the way and who saw it on national
television it was a once in a life time experience. For those who had their
shops broken to make a new road it was perhaps not. Read Experience of Pran Pratishtha
Many outside Ayodhya were
taken back with the extent of changeover so when temple leaked during monsoons
of 2024, they hit back asking what temple have you made. People forget that in
earlier times huge temples took anywhere from fifty to two hundred years to
make. The Sri Ram Mandir was partially complete in about four years was no mean
feat. Only when the mandir is complete can we comment on leakages and
architecture.
Article authors Insiders Account and
Ankush Tiwari.
1. Local Resident View
Ayodhya, a
city steeped in history and religious significance, has undergone substantial
changes since the announcement and subsequent inauguration of the Ram Mandir.
While the promise of transformation on paper is commendable, the ground reality
paints a more nuanced picture.
Promising
Plans, Flawed Implementation
The blueprint for Ayodhya's development was ambitious, envisioning improved infrastructure, enhanced tourism, and better amenities. However, the execution of these plans has been less than satisfactory. Many of the proposed developments have either been delayed or poorly implemented, causing frustration among residents.
Ram Path on eve of Pran
Pratishtha.
Ram
Path: A Double-Edged Sword
One of the
significant infrastructural projects is the Ram Path, a road connecting the
highway to the temple. This road is a testament to modern engineering and has
significantly improved accessibility. However, its construction came at a high
cost. Numerous houses and shops were demolished to make way for Ram Path,
displacing many families and businesses. The lack of adequate compensation and
support for those affected has led to widespread discontent.
Political
Backlash
The discontent among the displaced residents was palpable during the recent Parliamentary polls. The ruling BJP government, which fast-tracked the temple's inauguration to garner electoral support, faced backlash for its handling of the development projects. The dissatisfaction among the voters was a crucial factor in the BJP's electoral defeat in Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency of which Ayodhya is a part.
The Yogi government got the message.
Local traders/shopkeepers who were affected by the Ram Path project were
allowed to acquire 500 new shops through interest-free, long-term instalment
plan. Read
Inadequate
Compensation and Forced Evictions
The process
of demolishing houses and shops for development was marked by a lack of empathy.
Many families were left without proper housing or financial support,
exacerbating their plight. This heavy-handed approach has left a lasting scar
on the community, contributing to the prevailing unhappiness.
Hastily
Inaugurated Temple, Stagnant Progress
The Ram Mandir temple's inauguration was rushed to coincide with the elections, a move that initially paid off politically. However, post-inauguration, the pace of associated development slowed considerably. Projects that were supposed to complement the temple and enhance the city's infrastructure have been sluggish, leaving many promises unfulfilled.
The prevalent
VIP culture exacerbates the situation, creating long wait times and
inconvenience for ordinary devotees who come for darshan. Because of numerous VIP visits, the roads are frequently
shut down causing inconvenience to locals.
Renovated Ayodhya
Dham Railway Station.
Economic
Boost with Caveats
The temple
has undeniably brought a surge of devotees and businesses to Ayodhya, boosting
the local economy. New hotels, restaurants, home stays and shops have sprung
up, creating job opportunities and increasing revenue. However, this economic
upturn has not been universally beneficial. The displaced families and
businesses, along with those struggling with inadequate infrastructure, feel
left out of this newfound prosperity.
However,
this is just the beginning. If the government and the people of Ayodhya work
together this prosperity can continue for times to come.
Airport:
A Major Leap Forward
One of the
most significant developments was the construction of an airport in Ayodhya.
This new facility has made travel more convenient for both residents and devotes
thereby reducing dependence on neighboring cities like Lucknow for flights. Who would
have imagined direct flights from Ayodhya to Mumbai
The revamped
Ayodhya Dham Railway Station with modern
amenities is
impressive. Hope devotees and locals use the escalators with care.
The airport and
railway stations are crucial steps in making Ayodhya more accessible and
integrated with the broader region.
New Bus Stand at Ayodhya.
Conclusion
The transformation of Ayodhya following the Ram Mandir’s announcement and inauguration is a story of contrasts. While the city has seen infrastructural improvements and got an economic boost, these developments have come at a significant human cost. Displacement of residents, inadequate compensation and slow implementation of projects have marred the progress.
As Ayodhya
continues to evolve, it is crucial for the authorities to address these
challenges and ensure that development benefits all sections of society.
Eventually, I believe that Ayodhya residents need to be patient, more involved in designing local infrastructure, welcome devotees with open arms, grab opportunities and be prepared to becoming India’s Vatican. Due to extreme heat and cold, devotees need to be taken care of which is where the proposed Apollo Hospitals Emergency Centre will come in handy.
Radison Hotel at Ayodhya.
2. Ankush Tiwari, a
techie who lives in Western India but comes from a family of
farmers who continue to live in Ayodhya, shares a different view.
What was the
situation Pre Ram Mandir
1. Everyday footfall – 25,000
2. Employment opportunities - Mainly agriculture based economy and almost zero tourism.
3. Ayodhya recognition inside the country and outside – hardly.
4. Connectivity - No Airport and limited Trains.
Today
footfalls are nearly 1 lakh daily, employment opportunities grown to cater to
rush of devotees and township building, airport with direct flights and renovated
station with Vande Bharat train from Delhi.
People must make devotees feel welcome, treat them well, make stay comfortable and enjoy the growth that the city shall see. First opportunity always comes to locals and if they grab it with both hands they are in for success. It goes outside, when locals don’t become part of the success and are not adapting to the changes the increased economic and other activities bring.
Earlier social attitude was happy go
lucky. Now the world is at your feet.
There are two ways to see it - We see progress as a dampner and become a critic of it. We need to see it with open eyes and participate in growth rather than becoming a viewer.
In our approach
we typically mix progress and hardships that come during the transition.
Example when new roads, metros are made citizens go through lot of trouble
while it is being made. But once completed everyone enjoys. I have seen that
happen in Delhi and Pune.
As citizens we have to be prepared
for growth pains if we wish to enjoy success.
Locals get
upset with construction all over, land acquisitions, VIP movements but if one observes
carefully these are signs of a capital returning to being a capital and
providing opportunities to its citizens.
Also when
growth happens scamsters show up, causing harm to lot of sentiment but in the
long run the positives will outplay growing pains.
The Apollo
Hospitals Group announced the launch of a of a state-of-the-art multi-specialty
emergency medical centre at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi
pilgrimage site in Ayodhya. Chairman Dr Reddy said a wide range of services
would be available at the Centre. It is expected to start functioning by end
August/September 2024.
Tatas to build a
India Temple Museum at Ayodhya at a cost of Rs 650 crs.
Locals and those Ayodhya residents who
migrated for lack of opportunity must track the developments, be patient and
grab opportunities that come their way.
Read, reflect and decide for yourself.
Also read
1. Big relief
for Ayodhya Traders
2. Ayodhya – An Ancient city’s new beginnings, in photos