Bangladesh
Ramna Kali Mandir Indian President Kovind inaugurates renovated part of the Ramna Kali Temple
Dhaka, December 17: President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Friday inaugurated the renovated section of Ramna Kali Temple in the capital by unveiling the plaque. He also paid obeisance at the temple.
Kovind exchanged greetings with the guests, members of the temple committee, representatives of the Hindu community and the priests. The President of India along with his wife First Lady Mrs. Sabita Kovind and their daughter Swati Kovind arrived at Ramna Kali Temple at 10:30 am. State Minister for Religion Md. Faridul Haque Khan received the him and his family at the temple premises. When he reached the temple, he was greeted by blowing the trumpet according to Hindu rituals.
After the inauguration of the renovated part of the temple, the President of India, along with his wife and daughter, worshiped at the temple. Later they returned to the hotel. Kovind arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday for a three-day visit to attend the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence and the centenary of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Earlier, Utpal Saha, chairman of the executive committee of Ramna Kali Mandir, had said that Sri Sri Ramna Kali Mandir and Srima Anandamoyee Ashram were completely destroyed by the Pakistan Army in 1971 during Operation Searchlight. He said the Pakistani army destroyed the century-old temple during Operation Searchlight and raided several houses in the temple precincts, brutally killing residents.
Utpal said the temple has been renovated with the help of the Bangladesh government and funding from the Indian government.
The temple was renovated after 50 years of Bangladesh's independence as none of those who came to power after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took the initiative to renovate it.
"Ever since Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina took over as prime minister, we have had the opportunity to worship here without any hindrance from the police," he said.
Utpal said that with Sheikh Hasina in power, it may have been possible for the Indian government to take initiative to renovate the temple.
