No. 891/2019-PUB ` 11th September 2019
Bandaru Dattatraya sworn in as the 27th Governor of Himachal Pradesh in a simple but impressive ceremony held at Raj Bhawan today.
Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary, Judge of HP High Court administered the oath of office and secrecy to him. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Lady Governor Vasantha were also present on the occasion.
The Governor was also given an impressive Guard of Honour on the occasion.
Chief Secretary Dr Shrikant Baldi read out the warrant of appointment.
Secretary to the Governor Rakesh Kanwar obtained the signature of the Governor on the charge certificate.
Speaker H.P. Vidhan Sabha Dr. Rajiv Bindal, former Chief Ministers Virbhadra Singh and Prem Kumar Dhumal, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G. Krishan Reddy, Chief of Staff, ARTRAC Lt. General G.S. Sangha, MLAs, Mayor, Kusum Sadret, Director General of Police S.R. Mardi, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, Vice-Chancellors of Universities, senior officers of army, police and civil were also present on the occasion.
Interacting with the media person, the Governor said that Himachal Pradesh was known as the land of Gods and also identified as Veer Bhoomi. The state has high traditions, rich culture and customs, which makes this mountainous region apart from others.
"I consider it my privilege to have a chance to work as a Governor in this Himalayan state close to the nature”, said the Governor and added that nature has given immense beauty to Himachal and this state discussed in south India as well, especially for it natural grandeur and clean environment.
Bandaru Dattatraya said that he had a vast experience of public service as a politician and now he has to discharge the responsibility of the constitutional post. As a Governor, he could only help in accelerating the pace of development of the state. He would also like to contribute in taking the benefit of the welfare schemes being implemented by the government to the targeted beneficiaries so that they get the real benefits out of these schemes and programmes. He said that it would be his endeavour to take forward the pace of development in coordination with both the government and the Opposition.
He said that he would also like to work on some important issues, including tourism development, quality education and awareness against drug addiction in the state. He added that it was important to preserve nature by maintaining greenery, forests and rivers. He said that the literacy rate of Himachal was very high, probably second in the country after Kerala but he would like to add that education needs to be linked to employment. “It will be my endeavour to move towards qualitative education in higher educational institutions. Attention should also be paid to qualitative as well as moral values”, said Shri Dattatraya.
The Governor said that he had always been a person belonging to the poor, neglected, working and peasant class. It would be my endeavour that all the programmes and schemes of the government were implemented in a right direction, said the Governor. He added that there should be no place of drugs in the Dev Bhoomi and we would work together against evil like drugs.