Nripendra Misra, an IAS officer of the 1967 batch, boasts a career spanning over 52 years with diverse roles. He served as the former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and currently chairs the committee overseeing the construction of the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This move is perceived as part of the Centre's strategy to closely monitor the temple's construction. He also held the position of Chairperson at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and was honoured with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, in 2021.

In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the challenges faced by the committee in building the Ram Temple and delves into the project's timeline. He shares insights into the dedicated efforts of the workers, working day and night, and reveals details about the placement of the 'Ram Lalla' idol. He narrates the story of how he was chosen by the PM to lead the construction panel for the Ram Mandir.

Having worked closely with Prime Minister Modi from 2014 to 2019, He sheds light on the PM’s working style, highlighting what distinguishes him from other leaders. He also reveals the reasons behind stepping down as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and discloses the first person to be informed about demonetisation.