THE Ram temple trust is likely to appoint Jagdish Aafle as its first Secretary, with the proposal expected to come up for approval at the trust’s executive meeting on September 2, temple sources said. Aafle, who is from Maharashtra, is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and is the Ram temple construction project manager. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has created the post of Secretary as part of a fresh round of appointments at the Ram Mandir, the sources said, adding a formal announcement may be made after the meeting if the proposal is approved. Interim General Secretary Krishna Mohan has confirmed that Aafle’s name has been proposed for the post, the sources said.

 

The selection process for the post of spokes person is also underway with several names under consideration, though no final decision has been taken yet. A resident of Pune, Aafle holds a BTech in Electrical Engineering and an MTech from IIT Bombay. He is said to have worked in India, Europe and the United States before returning to India after retirement. According to the sources, Aafle joined the Ram Mandir construction project as an honorary project manager on the RSS’ recommendation when work on the temple began. He has since been living with his wife at the Shri Ram Janma bhoomi Teerth Kshetra premises in Ayodhya.