Brief Introduction of Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Maharashtra & Gujarat
Personal Details:
- Name : Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Maharashtra & Gujarat
- Father’s Name : Shri Lahari Singh
- Date of Birth : 18 January 1959
- Address : Raj Bhavan, Sector-20, Gandhinagar – 382020, Gujarat
Educational Qualifications:
- Graduate, Postgraduate (History and Hindi), B.Ed., Diploma in Yoga Science, Doctor of Naturopathy and Yogic Science.
Experience:
- 45 years of experience in teaching and administration.
He served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh from 12 August 2015 to 21 July 2019. During this tenure, he extensively implemented various government and public participation programs across Himachal Pradesh focused on natural farming, cow protection and breed improvement, “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter), social harmony, addiction eradication, tree plantation, and water conservation. These programs were also promoted in neighboring states of Himachal Pradesh.
He was appointed Governor of Gujarat on 22 July 2019. Under the leadership and guidance of the respected Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and as per his vision, he established natural farming not only in Gujarat but also as a widespread initiative in other states. In Gujarat alone, over 500,000 farmers have shifted from chemical-based farming to natural farming.
Shri Acharya Devvrat was appointed to discharge the functions of the Governor of Maharashtra in addition to his own duties by the President of India on 11th September 2025. He took oath of the Governor of Maharashtra on 15th September 2025.
Special Interests:
- Promoting nationalist thinking and Indian culture among the masses.
- Lectures on Vedic human values and philosophy.
- Writing articles for newspapers and magazines.
- Raising awareness among youth about social and moral values.
- Organizing activities to popularize yogic and Vedic lifestyle.
- Conducting free camps for cow breed improvement and natural farming training.
- Inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” campaign, founded Chaman Vatika International Kanya Gurukul in Ambala in April 2015.
- Training and promotion of yogic, Ayurvedic, and naturopathy healing methods.
- Creating pollution-free society through tree plantation and cleanliness campaigns.
- Book writing.
Notable Work:
- He served as the Principal of Gurukul Kurukshetra from 1981 to July 2015. The institution achieved unparalleled progress during this period. Major renovations of the entire Gurukul campus were completed, including the reconstruction of all buildings, provision of modern facilities for study, teaching, and sports, establishment and development of a naturopathy center, development of a modern cowshed, experimentation and implementation of natural farming on 180 acres, establishment of Arsh Mahavidyalaya (college), and creation of a shooting range, among other large-scale achievements. During this time, Gurukul Kurukshetra became the top choice for a large number of students.
- Provided special training to students within the Gurukul campus to succeed in prestigious exams like IIT, PMT, and NDA.
Foreign Visits for Promotion of Indian Culture and Vedic Values:
- USA, Switzerland, Netherlands, Holland, France, England, Italy, Vatican City, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, Mauritius, Thailand, etc.
Honors and Awards:
- ‘Bharat Jyoti Award’, Certificate of Excellence, and Mrs. Sarla Chopra Award by India International Friendship Society, New Delhi on 22 August 2003, presented by Shri Bhishma Narayan Singh, Governor of Tamil Nadu.
- American Medal of Honor from American Biographical Institute for significant social contribution on 21 August 2002.
- Honored with the Certificate of Honor in Service of Rural India on 19 April 2005 by the Confederation of Non-Governmental Organizations of Rural India (C.N.R.I.), New Delhi.
- “Janhit Shikshak Shri Award” in 2009 by former Chief Justice of India Justice P.N. Bhagwati for distinguished social service.
- Awarded the ‘Social Service Award’ on 8 May 2007 by Rishi Public Welfare Trust, Kurukshetra for distinguished social service.
- Awarded the “Himotkarsh Rashtriya Ekatmata” Award on 12 February 2006 by Himotkarsh Sahitya, Sanskriti and Jan Kalyan Parishad, Una for the progress of the Gurukul institution.
- Arya Sanstha Manager Award by Paropkarini Sabha, Ajmer.
- Certificate of Appreciation for preservation of ancient and ethical values by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs on 30 November 2007.
- ‘Akshay Urja Award’ by Haryana Renewable Energy Minister on 20 August 2011.
- Vishisht Seva Samman by Sarvadeshik Aryaveer Dal.
- Intellectual Personality Award (Vidwan Ratna) by All Intellectual Federation and Research Center, Kurukshetra in August 2013.
- Certificate of Appreciation by Arya Samaj Anand Nagar, Rajpura, Punjab for contribution in Yoga and naturopathy on 12 August 2011.
- Certificate of Appreciation by Science Olympiad Foundation for popularizing science and math subjects.
- Certificate of Appreciation by D.A.V. College Managing Committee, New Delhi for development of Vedic values on 30 April 2012.
- Certificate of Appreciation by Arya Samaj Radaur (Yamunanagar) for promoting Vedic values.
- Special Honor for social reformer contributions by Arya Kendra Sabha, Karnal on 20 February 2010.
- Certificate of Appreciation for Quality Management by Moody International Certification ISO 9001:2008 Limited.
- Certificate of Appreciation by Red Cross Society, Kurukshetra for organizing blood donation camps.
- Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) by Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra in August 2023.
- Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) by D.A.V. University, Jalandhar in November 2023.
Memberships:
- Founder, Chaman Vatika International Kanya Gurukul, Ambala (Haryana).
- Former member nominated by Haryana Government, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.
- Former Director, Swami Shraddhanand Yoga and Naturopathy Center, Kurukshetra.
- Former Officer, Arya Vidya Parishad Haryana.
- Former Honorary Member, Haryana State Child Welfare Council, Chandigarh.
- Former Member, Haryana Goshalas Association, Rohtak.
- Former Member, Haryana Cow Service Commission, Chandigarh.
- Former President, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Haryana.
- Former Member, Maharshi Dayanand E.T.T. Research Center, Dhadoli, Jind.
- Former Member, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Advisory Committee Nivarasi, Kurukshetra.
- Former Patron Member, All India Gurukul Sports Competition.
- Former Secretary, Shri Gopal Krishna Goshala, Gurukul Kurukshetra (Haryana).
- Patron, Gurukul Kurukshetra (Haryana).
Literary Works (Writing and Editorial):
- Editor-in-Chief, monthly magazine ‘Gurukul Darshan’.
- “The Priceless Path of Health: Naturopathy” (English and Hindi editions).
- “Stairs to Heaven” (Panchmahayagya).
- Translation of “Valmiki’s Ram-Samvad”.
- “Glorious History of Gurukul Kurukshetra”.
- Patron Editor, ‘Annual Souvenir of Gurukul’.
- “Natural Farming” (Hindi, English, and Gujarati editions).
Goals and Objectives:
To establish and promote the ancient glory of Vedic culture and tradition and to develop scientific understanding in all mankind.
Current Positions:
- Governor of Gujarat since 22 July 2019.
- Chancellor of 24 universities maintained by the state government of Gujarat.
- Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad.
- Visitor, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara.
- President, Indian Red Cross Society, Gujarat State Branch, Ahmedabad.
- President, Gujarat State Soldiers Welfare Board, Ahmedabad.
- President, Gujarat Cancer Society, Ahmedabad.
- President, Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, Gujarat State Branch, Ahmedabad.
- Patron, Gujarat State Bharat Scouts and Guides, Ahmedabad.
- Administrator of Scheduled and Tribal Areas.
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