Ayodhya,

07 Feb (H.S.): Kameshwar Chaupal, a VHP leader who helped build the Ayodhya Ram

temple, died after a protracted illness. According to the Ram Temple Trust's

media department, he was undergoing treatment at Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram

Hospital. Chaupal, a respected member of the temple trust and Patna citizen,

played an important role in placing the first brick at the temple's foundation

ceremony in November 1989. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) bestowed upon

him the title of first Kar Sevak. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) acknowledged

Chaupal's death as very sorrowful and prayed for his soul and strength for his

bereaved family.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi