India Inc leaders and tech giants join celebrations for Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya

Reliance Industries Chairperson Mukesh Ambani and founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani at the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. PTI Photo

On January 22, India witnessed a convergence of billionaires, tech titans, and business leaders celebrating Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya. Prominent figures such as Mukesh Ambani, Lakshmi N Mittal, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Anil Ambani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Gautam Adani were among those present for the historic event.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family as well as steel tycoon Lakshmi N MIttal, telecom czar Sunil Bharti Mittal, Reliance Group head Anil Ambani and Aditya Birla group chairperson Kumar Mangalam Birla and his daughter Ananya Birla were among the businessmen in Ayodhya for the Ram temple consecration.

Ambani's oil-to-telecom conglomerate gave all its employees a leave, organised special puja at over a dozen temples housed in premises across the country, and offered 360-degree virtual tour to the temple on JioTV.

Billionaire Gautam Adani, who was among the corporate leaders invited for the ceremony, in a post on X said, "On this auspicious day, as the Ayodhya Mandir's doors open, let it be a gateway to enlightenment and peace, binding the communities with the timeless threads of Bharat's spiritual and cultural harmony."

In another post, he announced his apples-to-airport group's decision to sponsor 14 students wanting to do PhD in Indology (academic study of India, its people, culture, languages and literature). "This will give global recognition to India's soft power and Indology."

Prashant Ruia, Director of Essar Capital - the investment manager for the Essar Group, too was in Ayodhya for the event. "Blessed to have been in a sea of humanity for the #RamMandirPranPratishta at #AyodhaRamMandir with reverence, faith & belief. A turning point in our history that has reunified the country in our dreams, desires, hopes and aspirations. #JaiShreeRam," he posted on X.

Zoho CEO Srihar Vembu too posted pictures with family of his visit to Ayodhya temple. "In Ayodhya with my amma Janaki and my brother Kumar and his wife Anu. Amma is a life-long devotee of Lord Shri Ram. Very blessed to be here."

EaseMyTrip co-founder and CEO Nishant Pitti posted a video of him taking an Indigo flight to Ayodhya. From the temple site, he posted: "On this auspicious day of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha, the spirit of unity and celebration resonates in the heart of millions of Indians. May Lord Ram fill our lives with joy, peace, and prosperity."

OyoRooms founder and group CEO Ritesh Agarwal, clad in saffron waist and kurta, gave ball-by-ball commentary of the ceremony on X. "The energy here is infectious - this is truly historic moment! Chants and prayers can be heard as devotees stream in," he said in one of the posts. PTI ANK ANZ