Beniwal takes charge of Gujarat

Dr Kamla Beniwal, 83, veteran Congress leader from Rajasthan, took oath as the new governor of Gujarat on Friday. Acting Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, Mohit S. Shah, administered the oath to Beniwal at Gandhinagar Town Hall.

Chief minister Narendra Modi, Assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt and senior cabinet ministers -  Vajubhai Vala, Narotam Patel, Anandiben Patel, Nitin Patel, Dilip Patel, Fakirbhai Vaghela, Jaynarayan Vyas, Mangubhai Patel -  and Leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil were present. 

Ministers of state Amit Shah, Saurabh Patel, Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, Parbatbhai Patel, Jaysinh Chouhan, Vasanbhai Ahir, R C Faldu, MPs and MLAs were also present. Chief secretary D Rajagopalan and other senior bureaucrats were also present on the occasion.

Beniwal took oath to work to protect the Constitution of India in her capacity as the governor. Before the oath-taking ceremony, a police band welcomed the new governor by playing national anthem. Family members of the new governor were present.

After moving into Raj Bhavan, the new governor met 30 children from Jammu & Kashmir. She asked the children to take oath for keeping the country one and not support any separatist activity.  BSF officials are taking these children on an India tour.

Earlier, chief minister Modi along with his cabinet colleagues welcomed the new governor at Ahmedabad airport. On her way to Gandhinagar, Beniwal visited Sabarmati Ashram. After visiting the Ashram, she said: "My soul as has got great solace. I feel lucky to touch the land of Mahatma Gandhi."

Beniwal, herself a freedom fighter, belongs to a freedom fighter family. She has served as a minister in Rajasthan government for many years. Born at village Gaurir in Jhunjhunu district on January 12, 1927, she studied MA in history.

Beniwal is the second woman governor of Gujarat. Earlier, Sharda Mukerjee served as the Gujarat governor from August 14, 1978 to August 5, 983.