Ajay Kumar Bhalla was sworn-in as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland on August 25 at a swearing-in ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan Kohima.
The oath of office was administered by Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet, MP, MLAs and senior officials from both central and state government.
“With a profound sense of duty and immense humility, I have today assumed the office of the Governor of this beautiful and vibrant state,” Bhalla said in his first address to the people of the state. He said he was mindful of the trust reposed on me by our country’s leadership led by the President of India and the Prime Minister.
“On this day, my thoughts are inevitably with my distinguished predecessor, the late Shri 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 you that I will strive to uphold the highest traditions of this honoured position and to live up to the expectations of the people,” the new governor stated.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Maintaining that Nagaland has always held a special fascination for him especially with its rich cultural diversity, the resilience of the people and the scenic beauty being a unique allure,
Bhalla said during his previous capacities in government service, he has 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 stated.
Looking to the future, the governor said the people of Nagaland must build on the foundations laid by those before them, banking on the state’s 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,” Bhalla mentioned.
He also pointed out the areas that need focused attention and underscored the need to work collectively to further improve connectivity, enhance healthcare accessibility, provide quality education and skill development to our children and create more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
“This 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—every region and every state must be an equal partner in this progress. No one must
be left behind. Nagaland, with its unique strengths and strategic location, has a vital role to play in this national story. It is my earnest desire that we work together—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,” governor Bhalla stated and further called upon all to strive together so that one day, very soon, every citizen of Nagaland can enjoy the fruits of the national dream.
Earlier, Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen conducted the swearing in ceremony.
Meanwhile, the apex bodies of five major Naga tribes—the Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi—announced that they would abstain from the new Governor’s swearing-in ceremony. The boycott is a protest against the state government’s failure to address the demands of the five tribes with regard to the reservation policy.
