At a prestigious gathering in New Delhi’s Vice President Enclave, C.P. Radhakrishnan, the nation’s Vice President, released ‘Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response’ by Surendra Kumar Pachauri, ex-secretary to the Government of India. This launch underscores the profound narrative of perseverance behind Ayodhya’s iconic Ram Mandir.
Addressing the audience, Radhakrishnan lauded the book’s empathetic and erudite account of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement spanning ages. He positioned the temple’s construction as a landmark in India’s timeless civilizational arc, seamlessly blending devotion, heritage, jurisprudence, and democratic ethos with utmost respect.
The Vice President asserted that while thousands of temples dot the land, the Janmabhoomi shrine stands unparalleled. ‘Lord Ram embodies India’s spirit and the core of its faith,’ he declared, affirming eternal victory of truth over adversity. Invoking Gandhi’s Ram Rajya, he depicted it as embodying fairness, equity, and honor.
He recounted the agonizing legal odyssey, marveling at India’s commitment to evidence-based justice amid fervent national belief. ‘This exemplifies why India is democracy’s cradle,’ he observed. The landmark 2019 Supreme Court ruling fulfilled aspirations of crores, ushering a new era and reinvigorating national pride.
On historical writing, Radhakrishnan highlighted the imperative of impartiality and truthfulness. Pachauri’s tome masterfully distills the agitation’s spirit, bridging gaps in ancient records to document contemporary endeavors for posterity. ASI excavations revealing underlying structures bolstered the verdict, sparking jubilant reactions and a record-breaking ₹3,000 crore crowdfunding by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
In a touching note, he reminisced about his mother’s involvement in the 1990s foundation rituals. Praising PM Modi’s stewardship, he called the temple’s resurgence a symbol of evolved democracy and cultural assurance, with the flag-raising ceremony stirring heartfelt unity nationwide. Ram’s global resonance—from sacred Indian sites to distant lands like Fiji and Angkor Wat—illustrates greatness through moral excellence and compassion. Radhakrishnan called for imbibing these values, extending best wishes to Pachauri for the book’s broad dissemination.
