'Do not let the past burden us': New Ram Temple CEO Jeetendra Mishra on donation theft case

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd), the first chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has said his 43 years of service in the Indian Air Force will help him take on his new responsibilities.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Mishra spoke about his appointment, his approach to managing the temple trust and the lessons he intends to draw from his military career. He also addressed the alleged donation theft and stressed the importance of working as a team.

‘Need to learn lessons from the past’

Asked about the alleged donation theft, Mishra said the organisation should take lessons from what happened without allowing earlier events to affect its future functioning.

“We need to learn lessons from the past, but do not let the past burden us. We’ve been running this organisation very well, and I will probably join the team and do my bit to make it a little better. That’s all.”

Mishra said he was grateful for the opportunity to continue serving after spending most of his life in uniform.

“I am full of gratitude, and I consider myself a very fortunate person because from the age of 17 years till 60 years, I got the opportunity to serve the nation in the Indian Air Force. I include the time spent in the National Defence Academy. That’s 43 years in uniform. And a few months after I retired, I got this opportunity to serve the Shri Ram Temple and the Ram bhakts. I think there cannot be anybody more fortunate than me.”

Team spirit to guide his approach

Mishra said he did not intend to formulate a strategy independently, pointing instead to the role of the trust and his colleagues in deciding the way forward.

“I would like to say that I cannot make a strategy on my own. It has to be under the guidance of the Trust and along with my team, the rest of the team.”

On whether team spirit would remain central to his functioning, he said, “Yes, absolutely.”

He added that managerial principles remain broadly similar across organisations but need to be adapted according to the task.

IAF experience and Operation Sindoor

Mishra said qualities such as discipline, hard work and integrity were important to the CEO’s role and had also been part of the selection process.

Speaking about his role during Operation Sindoor, he said, “I would only say that I was fortunate to be available at the time when my nation needed it, and I was able to succeed.”

Mishra also credited his team, the Indian Air Force and citizens for the outcome, calling it “always a team effort”.

On his appointment celebrations, he said his immediate priority was seeking his mother’s blessings.

“The moment I get off the phone, my mother is waiting. I have to take her aashirwaad also.”