PM Modi named president of Somnath Temple Trust; becomes second PM to do so!
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Ahmedabad, Jan 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was named as the new chairman of the trust which manages the world's popular Somnath Temple at Prabhas Patan town in Gujarat Gir-Somnath district. He is the second Prime Minister of India after former PM Morarji Desai to hold this prestigious post.
PM Modi, one of the trustees of the Shree Somnath Trust, was appointed to the top post unanimously, an office-bearer of the shrine management body said. After former PM Morarji Desai, Modi is the second Prime Minister who has been appointed the chairman of the temple trust. As per the records, Desai had served as the chairman between 1967 and 1995. Besides, as per trust records, PM Modi has become the eighth chairman of the trust.
"I heartily congratulate Ji on becoming the President of Somnath Temple Trust. Modi ji's dedication to the development of Somnath shrine area has been amazing. I am confident that the trust, headed by Modi ji, will further enhance the dignity and grandeur of the Somnath temple," Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.
प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को सोमनाथ मंदिर ट्रस्ट के अध्यक्ष बनने पर हृदयपूर्वक बधाई देता हूँ। सोमनाथ तीर्थ क्षेत्र के विकास के प्रति मोदी जी का समर्पण अद्भुत रहा है।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 18, 2021
मुझे पूर्ण विश्वास है कि मोदी जी की अध्यक्षता में ट्रस्ट, सोमनाथ मंदिर की गरिमा व भव्यता को और बढ़ाएगा। pic.twitter.com/2uJSqJxyKf
Following the death of the incumbent, former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, in October last year, the post of the Somnath Trust's chairman was vacant. Patel had served as the chairman for 16 years (2004-2020).
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is one of the trustees of the Somnath Temple trust, was appointed the new chairman during a virtual meeting of trustees held today. The post was lying vacant since the death of Keshubhai," Trustee-Secretary P K Laheri told reporters here after the online meeting on Monday evening.
Apart from him, other trustees include BJP leader LK Advani, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat-based scholar JD Parmar, and businessman Harshvardhan Neotia.
"While Shah proposed the name of PM Modi as chairman, I seconded it and the other trustees then unanimously elected the PM as the new chairman. The trustees would hold another meeting to discuss future plans," Laheri added.