Ram Mandir Inauguration: In view of the overwhelming sentiment of the employees and requests from them, the Central Government has announced a half-day closing till 2:30 pm on January 22, 2024, at all Central Government offices, Central institutions, and Central industrial establishments throughout India on the occasion of the Ram Temple Pranpratishtha ceremony.
"The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated on 22nd January 2024 across India. To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all central government offices, central institutions and central industrial establishments throughout India will be closed for half day till 1430 hours on 22nd January 2024," a Personnel Ministry order issued on Thursday said.
When contacted, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh told PTI that the decision has been taken in view of the "overwhelming" public sentiments. "There was a huge public demand across the country regarding this. Decision on half-day closure of central government offices on January 22 has been taken in view of overwhelming public sentiments," he said, as quoted by PTI.
The consecration ceremony will witness the presence of Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries. Invitations have been extended to thousands of seers from various parts of the country, including the families of the labourers involved in the construction of the Ram Temple.
The guest list, exceeding 7,000 individuals, encompasses participants from diverse fields such as Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and industrialists. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the temple trust, extended invitations to office-bearers, religious leaders, and even invited the Prime Minister to attend the event. Notably, Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Ram Temple on August 5, 2020.