SK Singh sworn in as Raj Governor

Jaipur, Sep 4: Shilendra Kumar Singh was today sworn in as the 18th Governor of Rajasthan.

Mr Singh, who has been transferred from Arunachal Pradesh Raj Bhawan, was administered the oath of the office and secrecy by Rajasthan High Court's acting Chief Justice JM Panchal at a brief ceremony at the Raj Bhawan here.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Jannath Pahadia, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly Ram Narain Chaudhary, Congress state President BD Kalla, BJP state President Mahesh Sharma, several ministers, MLAs, high officials and dignitaries were also present at the ceremony function.

Earlier, Mr Singh was accorded ceremonial welcome at the Sanganer Air port here on his arrival from New Delhi.

The post of Governor fell vacant following the resignation by President Pratibha Patil, who relinquished the gubernatorial office on June 22 last to contest the presidential election as the UPA-Left combine's candidate.

The resignation was accepted by then President APJ Abdul Kalam the next day and since then Haryana Governor AR Kidwai was Functioning as acting governor.

Mr Singh who was serving as Arunachal Pradesh Governor since December 2004, was born on January 24, 1932. He joined Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1954 and since then he had held a number of key posts, including the Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to Pakistan (1985-89), Ambassador to Austria (1982-85, Ambassador to Afghanistan (1977-79), Ambassador concurrently to Jorden, Lebnon and Cyprus from 1974-1977.

Besides this, The also served as longest serving Spokesman of the Indian Government from 1969 to 1974. He was member of Permanent Mission of India in United Nations from 1962 and 1968.

He also worked as United Nations and Commonwealth nations' observer to monitor elections in South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Lesotho, Malawi and Seirra Leone and the Presidential elections in Sri Lanka.

Besides, he had also held key positions in various academic bodies of various universities and institutions.

UNI