GUWAHATI, Aug 22 - Banwarilal Purohit was today sworn in as Governor of Assam. He was administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Ajit Singh, at Raj Bhawan here today.
Purohit took the oath in Hindi amid a distinguished gathering that included a host of dignitaries comprising Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, judges of the High Court, vice chancellors of universities, and top government officials, among others.
Purohit, who is a former MP and Managing Editor of The Hitavada newspaper, replaces PB Acharya who was holding the dual charge of Nagaland and Assam.
Later, interacting with the media, the Governor said that he had full confidence in the State Government�s ability to discharge its duties and responsibilities, and that he would assist the process of governance in a transparent and accountable manner in his capacity as Governor.
�The Chief Minister is a dynamic, young person and I am confident that he will hasten the pace of development and take the State forward. I am there to lend a helping hand in the State�s march to progress. When there are two engines, the car invariably gains more momentum,� he said.
Citing education, tribal welfare and tourism as some of the priority areas to focus his attention on, the Governor added that Assam had a lot of potential for propelling itself on the fast-track path of growth.
�Assam has huge potential in terms of its human as well as natural resources. The need is to harness this potential and chart out a course of sustainable development,� he said.
Heaping praise on the State�s natural beauty and hospitable people, the Governor said that Assam was a beautiful and holy land with an ancient mystic legacy, and that he was happy to be serving in such a place.
�Assam is a land of saints and people with a great culture. Its cultural ethos is one of immense diversity, and yet, there is unity amid that diversity,� he said.
