Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday released the book “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response”, authored by former Secretary to the Government of India Surendra Kumar Pachauri, at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President said the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya marks a defining moment in India’s civilisational journey, where faith, history, law and democratic values converged with dignity and restraint. He observed that while many temples may exist across the country, the significance of a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram is unparalleled.
Describing Lord Ram as the soul of the nation and of India’s dharma, V-P Radhakrishnan said the Ram Janmabhoomi movement reaffirmed the timeless truth that dharma ultimately prevails. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of Ram Rajya, he said it symbolises justice, equality and dignity for all citizens.
The Vice President noted that the prolonged legal process to establish the birthplace of Lord Ram demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy. Despite the faith of millions, he said, the land was allotted only after due judicial scrutiny and evidence, underscoring why India is often described as the Mother of Democracy.
Referring to the Supreme Court verdict of 2019, V-P Radhakrishnan said the judgment fulfilled the long-cherished aspirations of millions of Indians and marked a turning point in the nation’s history. He added that the construction of the Ram Mandir restored the self-respect of Indians, both within the country and across the world.
Commending the author, the Vice President said writing history requires emotional balance and fidelity to truth, and praised Pachauri for documenting the Ram Janmabhoomi movement without sensationalism or distortion. He noted that gaps in historical documentation had contributed to the prolonged struggle, and expressed satisfaction that the book records the modern phase of the movement for future generations.
Citing archaeological findings referenced in the book, V-P Radhakrishnan pointed to evidence of a pre-existing structure at the site, which formed part of the judicial consideration in the final verdict.
The Vice President described the public response following the verdict as unprecedented, recalling the nationwide crowd-funded campaign led by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which mobilised over ₹3,000 crore from devotees worldwide. He also shared a personal recollection of his mother’s participation in shila puja during the 1990s.
He credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring that the revival of the sacred site emerged as an expression of India’s mature democracy and cultural confidence. Recalling the Dhwaja-rohan ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on 25 November 2025, the Vice President described it as a deeply emotional moment witnessed by the entire nation.
Highlighting the universal appeal of Lord Ram, V-P Radhakrishnan said devotion to Shri Ram transcends geography, finding expression not only in Ayodhya and Rameswaram but also in places such as Fiji and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. He said the life and ideals of Lord Ram teach humanity that true greatness lies in virtue and in winning hearts rather than ruling kingdoms.
Congratulating the author, the Vice President expressed hope that the book would reach a wide readership and help preserve the historical and civilisational significance of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
The event was attended by Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust; Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General of India; Deepak Gupta, former Chairperson of UPSC; Amit Khare, Secretary to the Vice President; representatives of the publisher, and other distinguished guests.
