The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has set up a three‑member search panel to appoint its inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO). One of the panelists, former nuclear scientist Suresh Haware, emphasized that the foremost qualification for any candidate is "devotion to Lord Ram".

Profile of Suresh Haware

After a 27‑year career with the Department of Atomic Energy, Haware chaired the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi, currently serves as Chairman of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur, and sits on the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. He is also the author of the book "Temple Management," underscoring his expertise in religious institution governance.

The Trust’s Trust‑Rebuilding Challenge

Haware told The Indian Express that once public trust is broken, it takes years to restore. "The system we create must be transparent, accountable, and capable of managing massive pilgrim flows," he said, likening the task to managing larger than Tirupati or Shirdi, and even bigger than many of India’s biggest corporate entities.

Why Ayodhya Needs a Unique Administrative Model

Ayodhya sees over 200,000 devotees daily, surpassing Tirupati’s 100,000‑150,000 and Shirdi’s 70,000‑80,000. Moreover, the temple symbolizes a 500‑year struggle for Hindu identity, making its administration a matter of national sentiment as much as operational efficiency.

CEO Responsibilities and Skill Set

The appointed CEO will act as the "backbone" of the institution, overseeing crowd control, disaster preparedness, procurement, human‑resource management, and, crucially, financial stewardship. Haware warned that merely retaining donations in a bank account is insufficient; the funds must be strategically invested and redirected toward societal benefits.

Selection Process Blueprint

The panel will draft roughly ten broad criteria, then invite applications, conduct online and in‑person interviews, and scrutinize backgrounds before shortlisting candidates for the Trust’s final approval. Haware described the timeline as "on a war footing" because the matter concerns the faith of millions.

Public expectation dictates that every donation be accounted for and employed for community services such as hospitals, schools, and old‑age homes. Identifying a leader who blends deep devotion with professional competence is therefore essential for restoring the temple’s credibility.