Prayagraj-based ‘Ram Naam Bank’ has announced a special ‘bonus’ to account holders following the Ram Janmabhoomi verdict of the Supreme Court paving way for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The ‘currency’ of ‘Ram Naam Bank’ is Lord Ram and ‘account holders’ deposit booklets with ‘Ram’ name written throughout. The ‘bank’ has no chequebooks or ATMs, but the devotees consider the ‘Ram’ name as their wealth.
The ‘bonus’ that has been declared is the ‘Ram’ name that has been written once, will be considered as two. An award will also be given to devotees who have written the ‘Ram’ name at least 1.25 lakh times by midnight of 9th and 10th November, the day Supreme Court pronounced its verdict.
‘Ram Naam Bank’, a non-profit organisation gives booklets of 30 pages each with 108 cells where ‘Ram’ could be written. Those selected for the award will be given a shawl, a shriphal and a certificate at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj which will be held in 2020. Those who have crossed 1 crore mark will also get free accommodation at the bank’s camp site.
Devotees write the name of Lord Ram in red ink, as it is the colour of love, in languages like Hindi, Bengali and even Urdu. The devotees have ‘accounts’, ‘passbooks’ and even ledgers where ‘Ram’ name is deposited. “The divine name of Lord Ram is credited to devotees’ account,” said Gunjan Varshney, one of the trustees of Ram Sewa Trust associated with the Ram Naam Bank.
The organisation was set up almost a hundred years back and is run under a social organisation Ram Naam Sewa Sansthan. The ‘bank’ accepts deposits from people of all religions as even non-Hindus write the name of Lord Ram and deposit the divine name.