Ayodhya's royal family to host S Korea's first lady

AYODHYA: As the legend of Ayodhya's princess Suriratna, who became the much loved Queen Hu of Korea, assumes centre-stage with South Korea's first lady Kim Jung Sook arriving to attend grand Diwali celebrations, the royal family of Ayodhya is gearing up to host a dinner for the Korean delegation on Monday.

Speaking to TOI, Raja Ayodhya Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra recalled how ties between Ayodhya and South Korea revived in mid 1990s, almost 2,000 years after the princess, following a dream, left India to marry King Suro.

"In 1996, a delegation from Inje University had arrived in Ayodhya to trace Queen Hu's lineage and came to meet our royal family. Thereafter in 1999, they invited us to South Korea capital and bestowed the highest honour upon us," said Mishra adding that he feels proud to have played a key role in bringing India and South Korea closer.

"They trust me and sent the plaque for Queen's memorial in my name," he said.

"People of South Korea believe that they wouldn't have come into existence had princess Suriratna not travelled to Korea and married their King. And till date, they come to India to pay tributes to the birth place of their queen," said Bimlendra.

"Queen Hu's memorial came during BJP government at the turn of century and it is being developed further under present BJP rule," he said.

"The world celebrates Diwali because of Ayodhya. So why shouldn't Ayodhya have grand celebration in Deepotsav. The day is not far when Deepotsav would draw foreign tourists like Barsane ki Holi," added Bimlendra who advocates developing Ayodhya as a heritage city.

Bimlendra feels the shadow of Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute has robbed the temple town of development.