New Delhi
Religion holds immense significance in India, affecting societal norms and daily life. The Ram Mandir temple, built in honour of the Hindu god Rama, has been a deeply emotional issue in India for many years. Its safety is a top priority for the foundation that oversees it.
Recently, the Finnish company Mirasys, which specializes in surveillance technology, signed a contract with the Ram Mandir temple. This partnership involves an AI-based video surveillance system with over 500 cameras.
This system keeps track of all the crucial entrances and exits of the temple. As per the company’s CEO in India, Arindam Das Sarkar, the temple’s command center can utilize this system to assess potential threats, monitor crowds and alert about possible dangers.
The temple, situated in the sacred city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, officially opened on January 22. Implementing a project that involves hundreds of cameras required meticulous planning, says Sarkar. The integration of artificial intelligence, real-time analytics, and object recognition required precision and expertise. The project took over a year to prepare.
Historic Celebrations
The temple’s location in Ayodhya has been a source of conflict between Hindus and Muslims for decades. Hindus believe that Muslim conquerors demolished the original Rama temple in the 16th century and constructed a mosque in its place. In 1992, radical Hindu groups destroyed the mosque, formerly known as Babur’s mosque.
On the temple’s opening day, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Ayodhya, marking a historic event in India. Many states declared a holiday, and more than 10,000 police officers were deployed to ensure safety during the event. Prominent politicians, public figures, and business people were present at the celebration. The country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, declared that the event marked a new era in India.
Observers believe the timing of the temple’s opening was strategic as India will be having parliamentary elections later this spring. The Hindu nationalist party, BJP, led by Modi, promised to rebuild the temple over 30 years ago. The temple’s opening is believed to have boosted Modi’s popularity.
Even after the initial celebrations have simmered down, the Ram Mandir continues to attract thousands of visitors daily. The temple reconstruction reportedly cost over 150 million euros. The site is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, making it as significant to Hindus as Mecca or the Vatican is to Muslims and Christians, respectively.
Expanding Business in India
Mirasys’s project with the temple is not the only one of its kind in India. The company has undertaken several projects where their technology is used to monitor large crowds. These include installations at the Atal tunnel, Gorakhnath Mathin temple, and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj train station.
Sarkar acknowledges the growing need for surveillance in a populous country like India. However, the Ram Mandir project holds a special place of pride for the company. It was about contributing to the security of a location that holds deep emotional significance for Indians, says Sarkar.
The company continues to secure public places and anticipates more projects from India. Their focus areas include smart cities, energy companies, and transport. The company’s goal is to enhance the safety and well-being of society.
Mirasys expects that the surveillance technology developed with the help of artificial intelligence will boost their operations.
