From Operation Sindoor to Ram Temple: Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Trust

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra a decorated former Indian Air Force officer who was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025 for his role in Operation Sindoor has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya news agency IANS reportedJeetendra Mishra selected after 5585 applicationsMishra who retired after serving as Air Officer CommandinginChief of the IAFs Western Air Command was selected for the key administrative position on Wednesday from a pool of more than 5000 applicantsThe decision to appoint Mishra as the Trusts first CEO was taken during deliberations involving Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das newly appointed treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri and other membersWATCH A discussion was held and it was decided that Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Retd will be the CEO of the TrustDuring Operation Sindoor Air Force played a significant role and he was the CommanderinChief during the Operation announces Trusts interim generalhellip httpstcoFj8JDHyeGu pictwittercomR8Z1UyIz2Bmdash ANI ANI September 2 2026The selection process began on July 6 with 5585 applications screened by the selection committee A total of 111 candidates were shortlisted for online interviews while 16 were called to Ayodhya for facetoface interviewsThe Trust has said the CEO will function independently without government interference and report to its General Secretary The official is expected to formulate longterm plans for the temple complex and oversee the management of donationsThe appointment comes amid controversy surrounding allegations of embezzlement of temple donations which led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as General Secretary according to IANSThree new members appointed to Ram Temple TrustEarlier on Wednesday the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed three new members mdash Delhibased Mahesh Bhagchandka Ayodhyabased Madan Mohan Pandey and Shikohabadbased Nirmala YadavOne of the newly appointed members is a relative of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP leader Ashok SinghalThe appointments come as the Trust strengthens its administrative structure as the Ram Temple complex enters a crucial phase of development and managementFrom Kargils Safed Sagar to Operation Sindoor Who is Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra MishraRetired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra who served as Air Officer CommandinginChief of the IAFs Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025He had earlier received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013 and played a role in the operationalisation of laserguided bombs on Mirage 2000 aircraft under Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil War The weapons were subsequently used against strategic targets including Tiger Hill and Muntho DhaloA veteran of more than 38 years in the Indian Air Force Mishra was commissioned into its fighter stream on December 6 1986 He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy the Air Force Academy and the Air Force Test Pilots SchoolHe also attended the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery Alabama in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United KingdomMishra accumulated more than 3000 hours of flying experience across more than 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters during his career His appointments included commanding a fighter squadron serving as chief test pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment ASTE and commanding two frontline air basesHe also held several senior positions at Air Headquarters including Director of the Operational Planning and Assessment Group Assistant Chief of Air Staff Projects Commandant of ASTE and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Doctrine Organisation and Training and OperationsOn January 1 2025 Mishra took charge as Air Officer CommandinginChief of Western Air Command succeeding Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan SinhaWith IANS and ANI inputs