Ukhrul, August 25: Ajay Kumar Bhalla was sworn in on Monday as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Kohima. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar of the Gauhati High Court.
The ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, at 10:30 AM marked the end of the week-long mourning period for the late governor La Ganesan who passed away on August 15 night while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai.
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Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who currently serves as the Governor of Manipur, formally assumed the office of Governor of Nagaland today. A 1984-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and former Union Home Secretary took office as Manipur Governor in December 2024.
Bhalla was granted additional charge of Nagaland by President Droupadi Murmu, following the passing of La Ganesan at the age of 80. La Ganesan, a veteran leader with several gubernatorial postings including West Bengal and Manipur, had served as Nagaland’s governor since February 2023.
Addressing the citizens of Nagaland after assuming the office of the Governor of Nagaland, Ajay Kumar Bhalla expressed his deepest gratitude for the warm and gracious welcome extended to him by the people of Nagaland, led by the Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio.
Asserting that he has assumed the office of the Governor of Nagaland with profound sense of duty and immense humility, Bhalla said, “I am deeply mindful of the trust reposed on me by our country’s leadership led by the President of India and the Prime Minister. This appointment is not merely an opportunity to serve, but a sacred responsibility bestowed upon me to work for the welfare of the people of Nagaland and for the progress of our great nation”.
“On this day, my thoughts are inevitably with my distinguished predecessor, the late La Ganesan ji. His sudden and tragic passing has left a void that is deeply felt across the state and the country. He was, in the truest sense, a people’s Governor. He demystified the Raj Bhavan, throwing its doors open to the common citizen, and served with a rare blend of dedication, selflessness and empathy. He has set a benchmark of public service that I can only aspire to follow. While his are very big shoes to fill, I assure that I will strive to uphold the highest traditions of this honoured position and to live up to the expectations of the people”, Bhalla also said.
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“Nagaland has always held a special fascination for me. The rich cultural diversity, the resilience of the people and the scenic beauty of this land have a unique allure. In my previous capacities in government service, I have had the privilege of being associated with the developmental journey of the Northeast, including Nagaland. I feel truly blessed and privileged to now return as the First Citizen of this beautiful state and with God’s blessings that I pledge to contribute to Nagaland’s progress to the very best of my ability”, he added.
Bhalla then said, “As we look to the future, we must build on the foundations laid by those before us. Nagaland is brimming with immense potential. The entrepreneurial spirit of our youth, the unique traditions of organic farming and horticulture, the untapped possibilities in tourism, and the rich heritage of art and crafts present a formidable opportunity for sustainable and inclusive growth”.
He said the journey of Nagaland is inextricably linked to the journey of India. “Today, our nation stands tall as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, a beacon of stability and growth. Our economic standing is strong and our growth rate is the envy of the world. But for our nation to grow stronger and realize the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 – a developed India where every region and every state must be an equal partner in this progress”. He also said no one must be left behind. Nagaland, with its unique strengths and strategic location, has a vital role to play in this national story, he further said. He also desires to work together with the government, the civil society, the tribal bodies and every citizen to ensure that Nagaland not only keeps pace with the nation but also becomes a shining example of its developmental ethos. He appealed to everyone to strive together so that one day, very soon, every citizen of Nagaland can enjoy the fruits of this national dream.
(With inputs from NNN)